Vegetarian Pot Stickers

It's amazing how many of these babies you can pack away. Making the filling takes some time, but if you make a big enough batch you can freeze some and save time for the next meal. Get out that food processor! Guests helping fill and pinch the pot stickers also speeds things along. I was waiting to get a picture, but you'll have to use your imagination.

Vegetarian Pot Stickers Recipe Courtesy of Ming Tsai

1 red onion sliced 1 tablespoon minced ginger 1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms (we're usually cheap and just do canned or fresh button) 1 cup white cabbage, shredded 1 cup carrots, shredded 1 cup chopped garlic chives or chives 1 teaspoon white pepper (regular is fine) 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1 package round dumpling skins, also called gyoza (we use wonton wrappers found usually in the produce department) Salt to taste Canola oil In a wok or large saute pan, add a little oil and saute onions and ginger. Add the mushrooms and stir. Add the cabbage, carrots and chives. Season. When mixture is soft, place in colander to drain. Add the sesame oil and cilantro when mixture is cooled. Check for seasoning. Using the gyoza skins, make half moon dumplings keeping the bottom flat. In a hot non-stick pan, coat with oil and place dumplings. When bottom gets brown, add 1/4 cup of water and immediately cover. This will steam the dumplings. Carefully watch the dumplings and completely evaporate the water so that the bottom gets crispy again and sticks to the pot. Serve with dipping sauce (one of the main reasons Q loves these). SPICY SOY DIPPING SAUCE: 1/3 cup thin soy sauce 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar 1/3 cup sliced scallions 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sambal (fine without)