Recipe: Thai Dumplings with Dipping Sauce

Thai Dumplings with Dipping Sauce
Source: Vegetarian Times Magazine, September 1998
Makes 32

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic -- minced
1 tablespoon ginger -- grated and peeled
1 tablespoon chili paste
3 green onion -- sliced
1 large zucchini -- diced (4 cups)
1 red bell pepper -- diced (1 cup)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 cup cilantro -- chopped
1 pound won-ton wrappers

DIPPING SAUCE
1/4 cup tamari
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon chili paste
1 teaspoon minced green onions

In large skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add garlic, ginger and chili paste. Stir-fry 1 minute.

Add green onions and cook 1 minute.

Add zucchini and bell pepper and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are just tender, 3 to 4 minutes.

Add lime juice and cilantro. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool. Transfer mixture to food processor and coarsely chop.

Dipping sauce: In small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients and set aside.

Line baking sheet with plastic wrap.

Working on a clean, flat surface, place 1 tablespoon of filling in center of won ton wrapper. Brush corners with a little water, then gather sides of wrapper and pinch tops to resemble a pouch. Set dumpling on baking sheet. Repeat until filling is used up.

Fill wok or base of tiered bamboo steamer about 1/3 full of water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.

Lightly oil steamer and place dumplings inside so edges are not touching. Set steamer over boiling water, cover and cook dumplings until tender, 15 minutes.

Transfer dumplings to a platter and serve right away with dipping sauce.