Lucky Money Bag Dumplings are not just a delicious dish but also a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, making them a perfect addition to any special celebration. These beautiful dumplings are shaped like tiny money bags and are filled with a savory mixture of vegan “pork,” crunchy water chestnuts, and flavorful seasonings. Whether you’re celebrating Lunar New Year or just enjoying a delicious meal, these dumplings bring a little extra luck and joy to the table!
Ingredients:
- 20 Napa cabbage leaves (green part only)
- 20 cilantro stems (for tying the dumplings)
- 2 packages of vegan ground pork (such as OmniPork Ground)
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 5 fresh water chestnuts, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped carrot
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon vegan oyster sauce (plus more for sauce)
- ⅛ teaspoon of salt (additional salt for blanching as needed)
- A few slices of ginger (plus more to taste)
- A few shakes of white pepper
- Sesame oil
- Cooking oil
- Water
- Thin cornstarch slurry (mix 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Napa Cabbage Leaves:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the Napa cabbage leaves for 10-15 seconds until just softened.
- Transfer the leaves to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process.
- Drain and pat the leaves dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Prepare the Filling:
- Heat a little cooking oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped celery, water chestnuts, and carrots, stirring until they are slightly softened (about 2-3 minutes). Set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the vegan ground pork with the cooked vegetables. Season the mixture with light soy sauce, vegan oyster sauce, white pepper, and ginger.
- Add a dash of sesame oil for extra flavor and mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Shape the Money Bag Dumplings:
- Lay a blanched Napa cabbage leaf on a flat surface.
- Gently fold the edges of the cabbage leaf upward to form a pouch around the filling, shaping it like a small money bag.
- Use a cilantro stem to tie around the top of the dumpling, securing it closed.
- Repeat this process for the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
- Cook the Dumplings:
- Heat a bit of oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the dumplings and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are slightly golden.
- Add a few tablespoons of water to the pan and cover it with a lid to steam the dumplings for another 3-5 minutes, or until the filling is cooked through and the dumplings are tender.
- Prepare the Sauce :
- In a small bowl, mix more vegan oyster sauce with a little water and cornstarch slurry to create a sauce.
- Heat the mixture in a small saucepan over low heat until it thickens slightly.
- Serve:
- Arrange the Lucky Money Bag Dumplings on a serving platter and drizzle with the prepared sauce. Serve hot, and enjoy this delicious and festive dish!
Conclusion:
Lucky Money Bag Dumplings are not only tasty but also a fun and meaningful dish to serve at festive occasions. With their beautiful presentation and delicious, plant-based filling, these dumplings will add a touch of luck and prosperity to any meal. Perfect for celebrations or simply as a flavorful vegan dish, they’re sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face!
Lucky Money Bag Dumplings – A Fortunate Vegan Delight
Ingredients
- 20 Napa cabbage leaves green part only
- 20 cilantro stems for tying the dumplings
- 2 packages of vegan ground pork such as OmniPork Ground
- 1 celery stalk finely chopped
- 5 fresh water chestnuts finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped carrot
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon vegan oyster sauce plus more for sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon of salt additional salt for blanching as needed
- A few slices of ginger plus more to taste
- A few shakes of white pepper
- Sesame oil
- Cooking oil
- Water
- Thin cornstarch slurry mix 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water
Instructions
Prepare the Napa Cabbage Leaves:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the Napa cabbage leaves for 10-15 seconds until just softened.
- Transfer the leaves to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process.
- Drain and pat the leaves dry with a clean kitchen towel.
Prepare the Filling:
- Heat a little cooking oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped celery, water chestnuts, and carrots, stirring until they are slightly softened (about 2-3 minutes). Set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the vegan ground pork with the cooked vegetables. Season the mixture with light soy sauce, vegan oyster sauce, white pepper, and ginger.
- Add a dash of sesame oil for extra flavor and mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Shape the Money Bag Dumplings:
- Lay a blanched Napa cabbage leaf on a flat surface.
- Gently fold the edges of the cabbage leaf upward to form a pouch around the filling, shaping it like a small money bag.
- Use a cilantro stem to tie around the top of the dumpling, securing it closed.
- Repeat this process for the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
Cook the Dumplings:
- Heat a bit of oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the dumplings and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are slightly golden.
- Add a few tablespoons of water to the pan and cover it with a lid to steam the dumplings for another 3-5 minutes, or until the filling is cooked through and the dumplings are tender.
Prepare the Sauce :
- In a small bowl, mix more vegan oyster sauce with a little water and cornstarch slurry to create a sauce.
- Heat the mixture in a small saucepan over low heat until it thickens slightly.
Serve:
- Arrange the Lucky Money Bag Dumplings on a serving platter and drizzle with the prepared sauce. Serve hot, and enjoy this delicious and festive dish!