I have had my gluten free dumpling wrapper recipe live for a while now. It’s one of my favourite ever recipes that was originally in my cookbook, Intolerance Friendly Kitchen. Until now, I haven’t posted a filling recipe online (although there are two in the book). Today that changes with this tofu and bok choi dumpling filling recipe. Which, as the pictures suggest, works equally well as a wonton filling.
Tofu and bok choi dumpling filling
This easy dumpling filling is vegan and low FODMAP. If you have no FODMAP constraints, you can add garlic as you see fit. The recipe uses crumbled firm tofu and super finely chopped or grated bok choi, pak choi or Asian greens.
For flavour, we’re using a hefty amount of freshly grated ginger, spring onion greens, sesame oil and Tamari or soy sauce.
The filling can be used in my gluten free dumpling wrappers, gluten free wonton wrappers or even in vegetable buns made with my gluten free bao recipe. You can customise the filling based on the vegetables you have on hand, too.
FODMAP notes for your dumpling filling
Firm tofu, which we are using in this recipe, is low FODMAP in 170g serves per person. This recipe uses 250g and makes enough filling for around 50 wontons or dumplings with about a teaspoon of filling in each.
Bok choi is low FODMAP in 75g serves per person. Gai lan/Chinese broccoli is also Low FODMAP in 75g serves (but doesn’t become moderate for fructans until serves of 250g). Interestingly, the FODMAP in Bok choi is sorbitol, whereas the FODMAP in Gai lan is fructan.
Whatever you choose, the filling uses 500g of Asian greens and makes enough for 50 dumplings. This means that the filling needs to serve 7. This equates to just over 7 dumplings filled with this tofu and bok choi dumpling filling per serve.
Personally, 7 dumplings is plenty for me. If you have a bigger appetite, however, consider using 250g grated and chopped carrot and 250g bok choi.
Tips for your tofu and bok choi dumpling filling
My biggest tip, particularly if you are using gluten free wrappers, is to ensure the filling is very fine. This means very thoroughly crumbled tofu and super finely chopped bok choi. Any lumps and bumps will snag on the dough and might break it open. It’s far easier to fill dumplings if you ensure the filling is fine.
Firm tofu easily crumbles into small pieces, you just need to take your time. In terms of the bok choi, I like to grate the white stems on the large side of my grater and then finely chop the green leaves. You could also consider using a food processor, although I haven’t tried this.
My second tip is to thoroughly drain the vegetables before you cook them. By salting the vegetables and squeezing them in a sieve, you remove excess moisture. This means your dumpling filling will have all the flavour but won’t be soggy and wet inside. It is also far easier to use a drier dumpling filling. Wet fillings will wet the dumpling wrappers and make them sticky.
I recommend 5 minutes of vigorous squeezing the veg. They should be dry and shrivelled and no longer dripping by the time you are finished with them. It’s worth it, I promise. This step will make filling you dumplings so much easier.
Suggested flavour additions
Firstly, non FODMAPpers can use a crushed garlic clove or two for added flavour. Sorry, all my fellow garlic adverse friends. If you are low FODMAP, you can experiment with asafoetida powder, which has a cooked garlic and onion flavour. Only use a pinch as it is very strong.
Now that we have that out of the way, some suggestions for everyone:
- Extra grated ginger. Even if you ‘don’t like ginger’ it truly mellows out and has a nice background note of flavour that isn’t overtly ginger.
- Toasted sesame seeds and toasted sesame oil. Toasted sesame oil is a game changer when compared to the non toasted variety.
- A pinch of Chinese five spice, to taste.
- For a filling with a bit more of a Vietnamese twist, I like to use chopped Thai Basil and/or Vietnamese mint.
- Chopped fresh or dried mushrooms. Many mushrooms (like shiitake) have a low FODMAP threshold but they pack a flavour punch. This means you can add a low FODMAP amount and still reap the rewards.
- Water chestnuts or jicama add a delightful crunchy textural element. Both have low FODMAP thresholds.
Substitution options
As discussed, you can play around with the vegetables. The version in my cookbook uses half common cabbage (which is lower FODMAP than other varieties) and carrot.
The other version in my cookbook uses thoroughly wrung out spinach. You can have a play around and see what works for you.
In terms of the tofu, I daresay you could use a plant based mince like impossible mince in it’s place. Sear it with the aromatics thoroughly before adding the vegetables.
Enjoy this recipe? You might also like:
- Gluten free dumpling wrappers
- Gluten free wonton wrappers
- The dumpling dipping sauce and low FODMAP chilli oil in Intolerance Friendly Kitchen
- Low FODMAP dumpling sauce
- Gluten free bao
- 100% buckwheat flour soba noodles (and a xanthan gum free version in my buckwheat flour e-book)
Tofu and bok choi dumpling filling
Ingredients
- 500 g Bok choi or Asian greens Gai Lan/Chinese broccoli, Choy Sum, Pak Choi
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 250 g firm tofu crumbled finely
- 40-60 ml (2-3 tablespoons)* oil
- 1/2 bunch spring onion greens finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (4 US, Canadian and NZ teaspoons, 1 heaped British tablespoon)
- 40 ml (2 tablespoons)* tamari or gluten free soy sauce
- 1/2 -1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 20-40 ml (1-2 tablespoons)* toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash your Asian greens. Use the large side of a grater to grate the lighter stalks, then very finely chop the green leaves. Ensuring the filling is very finely chopped means your wrappers are less likely to break as you fill them.
- Place the greens in a sieve over the sink and sprinkle over the salt. Massage it in and begin to squeeze the excess liquid from the greens. After about 5 minutes of vigorous squeezing, you should have shrivelled greens that are no longer dripping. Most of the excess liquid should have been removed – again, a dry filling makes folding your dumplings infinitely easier.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or fry pan over a medium heat. Once warmed, add the spring onion greens. Cook for a few minutes before adding the ginger, and cook for a few minutes more until fragrant.
- Add the crumbled tofu and stir to combine before adding the greens. Stir and add the Tamari to taste. Depending on the brand you use, it might be more or less salty. I find a dumpling filling slightly on the salty side is perfect, given that the wrappers have little to no salt.
- Turn off the heat and stir through the (optional) sesame seeds and toasted sesame oil. Allow to cool before you start filling your dumplings.
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