Leak & tofu crispy Gyoza (vegan)

Gyoza are japanese moon croissant shaped dumplings. Although they traditionally contain pork, there's many different ways to make them plant based. Remember this blog is about fusion food!

Here's what you need for about 24 gyoza :

- Round Gyoza wrappers

- 1 leek

- Extra firm tofu

- Already made ginger & garlic paste or a piece of ginger root & 3 garlic cloves to make your own paste

- Sesame oil

- Mirin

- Soy sauce

- vegetable oil

- A bamboo steamer - Round steamer paper liners (you can also use baking paper)

For the topping you'll need :

- Chili oil (see recipe on the blog)

- Green onion

- Sesame seeds

• Cut your tofu into small cubes. Rinse and finely chop your leak branch. Chop your Green onion.

• To make the ginger paste, peel and grate your ginger root and your garlic cloves and combine them into a paste, or use a blender.

• Heat up some vegetable oil on medium heat in a large pan. Add your leak and tofu and cook it for a few minutes.

• Once your leak is cooked take the mix out of the pan and put it aside.

• Using the same pan, heat up some oil again, and add your ginger / garlic paste. Add some sesame seeds to toast them a bit.

• You will usually want to cook your vegetables first as garlic burns really fast and you don't want a bitter taste in your filling.

• Cook your paste in the hot oil on medium heat for about 1 min. Add your leak and tofu and strirr everything together for a few seconds.

• Prepare your Gyoza wrapping station. Take a little bowl with water and your wrappers.

• Put your wrappers on your working surface and add a teaspoon of filling in the center of each wrapper.

• Using your finger add some water on the edge of the wrapper. This will seal your gyoza and prevent them from opening when they steam.

Now follow the steps on the pictures :

• First fold you Gyoza in two.

• Start folding the upper side of the wrapper from the center to the corner about 3 to 4 times.

• Once your folded one side, repeat the same thing on the other side, in the opposite direction, again from the center to the corner.

• To steam your Gyoza, you can use a bamboo steamer, a regular steamer or check out my article on how to steam without a steamer.

• If you are using a bamboo steamer, put a steamer paper liner in your basket and place your Gyoza, make sure they don't touch each other or they will get stuck together when they steam.

• Prepare a pot or a pan that is larger than your basket, add some water and bring it to a boil.

• Place your basket in it but always make sure the bottom of your basket is above the water level.

• Steam your Gyoza for 10 to 12 mins.

• Heat up some sesame oil, or any vegetable oil in a pan on medium heat.

• Once the oil is hot, add your Gyoza. Be very careful that the oil isn't too hot or it will splash.

• Fry your Gyoza for about 1 min on each side until they get crispy. Use a kitchen clamp or chopsticks to flip them.

• Place your gyoza in a small bowl or a plate.

• Pour over some chili oil.

• Sprinkle some green onions and sesame seeds on top and eat them!

ENJOY!