Tempeh & Kale Steamed Gyoza

Whew! Sorry for the neglect 'round these parts. We were having a little tussle with the internet. Never fear though, we're back up!

Can I just say...while the entire rest of the continental US is apparently having some sort of "snowpocalypse" (I get it Al Roker, okay? I get it!), in Alaska, we have not even a single flake of snow to our name.

I'm terribly upset about it. 

I had a real hankering for gyoza (more than usual) the other night, so I whipped up these little guys. Gyoza, or potstickers, or dumplings (they go by many names) are really very easy. If you've never made them before, don't be frightened. It's basically just a minced stir-fry that's wrapped in dough and steamed. Super easy. Pinky promise. 

Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.
— Eckhart Tolle
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.

Bob. Always giving me that, "Hey, when you get those done...you know...in my belly. I'll just wait here."

Have you ever thought about who your dog would be if he/she was a human? Bailey would 100% be an aloof, bossy and dramatic, gay accountant. We decided this years ago. 

Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.

Tempeh & Kale Steamed Gyoza

Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal. NOTES: Use a food processor for speedy mincing. Square wrappers, instead of round can be used. I like my gyoza steamed, but these can be pan-fried too. This recipe uses all the wrappers and filling, any leftover, cooked gyoza can be frozen.

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Total time: 60 minutes

Yield: 40 gyoza

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
  • 1/2 small red onion, minced
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 oz. crimini mushrooms, minced
  • 2 large celery stalks, minced
  • 8 oz. block of tempeh, minced
  • 4 large kale leaves and stems, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
  • 2/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. agave nectar
  • 1 package of 40 circular wonton/gyoza/pot sticker wrappers
  • -- Dipping Sauce --
  • 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. agave nectar
  • 1/2 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce
  • dash of sesame seeds

Cooking Directions

  1. In a large rimmed frying pan, heat the sesame oil over low.
  2. In a food processor, pulse the onion, garlic, and mushrooms until minced. Add to the sesame oil and sauté for a few minutes.
  3. Now, add the celery, tempeh, and kale to the food processor and pulse until minced. Add to the sesame oil and sauté for a few minutes.
  4. Mince the fresh ginger by hand and add it to the frying pan.
  5. Add the soy sauce and agave nectar to the frying pan and continue to sauté, stirring often, for about 10 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, whisk all the dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Fill a seperate small bowl with water for making the gyoza.
  7. When making the gyoza, I like to do them in batches. Make as many as will fit in the steamer without touching and while they’re steaming, assemble more. To assemble the gyoza, place about ½ Tbsp. of the filling in the center of the wrapper. Dip your fingers in the small bowl of water to wet the edges of the circle. Fold in half, and crimp along the edges, pressing very firmly to close the wrapper edges.
  8. Place as many gyoza as will fit on a parchment paper lined steamer basket. Steam for about 5 minutes. Remove and repeat with remaining gyoza. This recipe should use all the wrappers and filling.
  9. Serve hot with the dipping sauce.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.
Produce On Parade - Tempeh & Kale Steamed Dumplings - Tender kale and meaty tempeh fill a silky, steamed gyoza for a healthy and impressive meal.

Good Deed of The Day

The University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers are poised to begin lethal experiments that will take baby monkeys away from their mothers and inflict anxiety on them. I had heard about this being done in the past on a podcast I listened to last week and apparently it's still being carried out. Please sign this petition to urge Chancellor Rebecca M. Blank to intervene and prohibit these experiments from moving forward.

Dutch Word of The Day

Dumpling --> knoedel (kah-noodle) ... I'm going to start calling Todd knoedel, muah haha. 

Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry

If you happen to hate books, a most unfortunate and perplexing circumstance, then today is your lucky day. A recipe instead of a book review! Of course, if you love books, it's still your lucky day because this stir-fry is awesome and you can enter yesterday's giveaway for a smoothie recipe book that'll blow your socks off. 

I'm high in spirits today, but feeling rather taciturn. Please forgive me for this reserved post.

Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.
Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.
— Kurt Vonnegut
Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.

This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice. I know you'll love it. 

Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.
Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.
Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.
Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.
Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.
Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.
Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.
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Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry
This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.
Ingredients
  • desired amount of cooked rice or quinoa (I like red rice)
  • 1 oz. dried shiitake mushrooms, reconstituted and sliced
  • 8 oz. tempeh, sliced very thinly
  • -- Marinade --
  • 1/3 cup liquid aminos or soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. corn starch
  • 3 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. agave nectar
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
  • garlic clove, minced
  • ½ cup water from reconstituting shiitake mushrooms
  • -- Conclusion --
  • 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • dash of crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 small bunch of kale, chopped and stem tips discarded
  • 3 green onions, sliced thinly on the diagonal
Instructions
Start by reconstituting the mushrooms in a shallow bowl with just enough boiling water to cover. Allow to rest until ready to use, at least 10 minutes.Cook desired amount of rice or quinoa according to package. Slice the tempeh very thinly.In a small bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients, excluding the water from the mushrooms. When the mushrooms have rested for 10 minutes, remove ½ cup of the water and whisk into the marinade. Seal the tempeh and marinade in a small zip lock baggie. Shake to ensure all the pieces are covered and refrigerate until ready to use, at least 10 minutes. Remove the reconstituted mushrooms with a slotted spoon from the water and slice. Set aside. Once the tempeh is done marinating, heat the sesame oil over medium-low and add the garlic and crushed red pepper. Then, remove the tempeh from marinade with a slotted spoon and add to pan (reserving the marinade for later). Sauté for about 5 minutes, then add the mushrooms, kale, and marinade. Sauté another 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened. If it thickens too much, add a bit of water from the mushrooms. Stir in the green onions and remove from heat.Serve hot, over cooked rice or quinoa and garnish with sesame seeds and extra green onion.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 4
Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.

Bob loves to eat his dinner from the Kong!

Produce On Parade - Shiitake Tempeh and Kale Stir-Fry - This is delicious stir-fry of marinated tempeh, rich shiitake mushrooms, and sautéed kale in a garlic-ginger sauce, over red rice.

Dutch Word of The Day

I'm learning Dutch now along with German! Check out Duolingo to learn languages for free. I'm not affliated, I just love them!  Rice --> rijst (ryest) - with a slight rolling of the "r"

Good Deed of The Day

You've got to read this article from Vanity Fair on Sam Smith, co-creator of The Simpsons, feisty atheist, and a huge champion for animal rights who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. What a huge inspiration.

Vegan Mushroom Soup

Hey dears! 

On Sunday I did a guest post for my blogging BFF, Lisa, over at Je Suis Alimentageuse. I made my finest vegan mushroom soup and you definitely don't want to miss it! So head on over and scope it out.

Be sure to say hi to Lisa too! She has such a wonderful site.

Produce On Parade - Vegan Mushroom Soup
Produce On Parade - Vegan Mushroom Soup

And you thought there wouldn't be a Bob photo in this post.

Produce On Parade - Vegan Mushroom Soup

And in case you missed it, Todd and my weekend was awesome. To follow us on social media, you'll see the buttons below my mug at the top right of your screen.