Peking-Style Vegetable Dumplings

Ingredients for  4  Servings

• 4 tbsp

  Vegetable oil
• 50g

  Spinach, finely sliced
• 50g

  Pak choi, finely sliced
• 50g

  Fresh shiitake mushrooms, finely sliced
• 1

  Small red onion, finely sliced
• 25g

  Bamboo shoots, finely sliced
• 50g

  Beansprouts
• Small handful

  Fresh coriander, finely chopped
• 1

  Red chilli, seeds removed, finely chopped
• -

  Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8

  Circular wonton wrappers (for vegan versions, look for egg-free wrappers)
• 1 tsp

  Cornflour, mixed to a paste with 1 tsp water
• -

  Vegetable oil, to shallow fry
• -

  Ready-made hot and sour sauce, to serve

Approximate Times

• Preparation :

  Less than 30 minutes
• Cooking :

  10 to 30 minutes

Method

1. Heat half a tablespoon of the oil in a wok over a high heat. Add the spinach, pak choi, shiitake mushrooms, red onion, bamboo shoots and bean sprouts and stir fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened slightly.
2. Remove from the heat and add the coriander and chilli. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and allow to cool.
3. Lay the wonton wrappers on a clean surface. Place one tablespoon of the fried vegetables in the centre of each wrapper. Using a pastry brush, brush the edges of each wrapper with the cornflour paste. Fold the sides together to create a semi-circular wonton shape.
4. Place the wontons in a steamer over boiling water, and steam for six minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
5. Heat the rest of the oil in a shallow pan until hot. Place the steamed wontons one by one into the hot oil and cook on one side until golden-brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper before serving.
6. Serve with hot and sour sauce.