Reclaim Gluten Free (AND soy free!) Asian Dumplings

Back when I learned I needed to eat gluten free and soy free, I thought I’d lost certain foods forever, particularly some favorite Asian cuisines!  I’ve since learned how to make many Asian dishes with a few substitutions, the most important of which is Coconut Aminos, a staple in my kitchen and my cooking.  This sauce makes Asian dishes like my Mongolian beef work, but also adds that extra pop of umami as a quick marinade or side sauce.

Still, I thought my days of enjoying dim sum or dumplings were long gone – and the frozen ones just didn’t do it for me.  And then I found a (gasp) gluten-free dumpling class, taught by Kim Hunter of Raleigh restaurant Kimbap fame – cue celebratory dance!

The answer? A gluten free dumpling class!

Over a lovely afternoon with like-minded folks, my husband and I learned how to get those dumplings back!  I will confess that ours looked like a wild bear had folded them, but we should get better with time, right?  With her permission, I’m sharing Kim’s recipe for gluten-free dumplings so you, too, can reclaim this delicious dish!

Recipes from the Kimbap Kitchen: Pork Mandu (Korean dumplings)

Yield ~45 dumplings

Filling:

1 lb ground pork (or can use chopped up shrimp or other protein; sweet potato makes a nice vegetarian option!)

2 cups chopped greens or cabbage

½ cup chopped scallions

1 T minced garlic

1 T minced ginger

1 tsp salt

½ tsp sugar (optional)

2 T coconut aminos (a great tasting soy substitute)

  • Mix all filling ingredients

Pro tip – cook up a small amount of the filling to see if the seasoning is to your liking!

  • Dust your surface and the wrapper with fine flour (rice flour works)
  • Keep water nearby to pat onto the wrappers to keep moist
  • Fill each dumpling wrapper with approximately 1 T filling
  • Fold according to your preferred style!
  • Can steam or pan fry immediately (or keeps in refrigerator in parchment paper up to 12 hours)

Note: raw dumplings may be individually frozen for up to 6 weeks!

Gluten Free Dumpling Wrappers:

Yield 45-60

1.5 cup (white, fine) rice flour

¾ cup millet flour

¾ cup tapioca flour

2.5 tsp xanthan gum

1 tsp salt

1 cup hot water

  • Mix flours, salt, and xanthan gum
  • Add hot water and incorporate; knead for about 2 minutes
  • Let rest for at least 30 minutes

Note: dough may be stored in refrigerator for up to 2 days

  • Divide dough into 4 pieces and slice off thin pieces
  • You can either cut in circles or leave square for more rustic style
  • Roll out using a small dowel (smaller than a traditional rolling pin! Look at Asian markets)

Dumpling Sauce

Yields ½ cup

¼ cup coconut aminos

1T sesame oil

2 tsp mirin

1 tsp black vinegar

1 tsp molasses

Sliced scallions

Pinch of salt and pepper

If you don’t have mirin, vinegar, or molasses on hand, simply coconut aminos, sesame, and a pinch of salt will do!

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