Vegan Zongzi

Vegan Zongzi are traditional Chinese sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, filled with a savory mix of mushrooms, chestnuts, and vegetables. This delightful dish is not only rich in flavor but also provides a healthy and satisfying meal option.

Ingredients

• Sticky rice - 200 grams
• Bamboo leaves - 8 pieces
• Shiitake mushrooms - 50 grams (dried)
• Chestnuts - 50 grams (cooked and peeled)
• Carrot - 1 medium (50 grams, diced)
• Snow peas - 50 grams (trimmed)
• Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Sesame oil - 1 tablespoon
• Garlic - 2 cloves (minced)
• Ginger - 1 teaspoon (minced)
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Vegetable broth - 200 ml

Steps

1. Soak the sticky rice in water for at least 4 hours or overnight, then drain.
2. Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water for 30 minutes, then drain and slice them.
3. In a pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat, add garlic and ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
4. Add the sliced mushrooms, diced carrot, and chestnuts to the pan, sauté for about 5 minutes.
5. Add soy sauce, salt, black pepper, and vegetable broth to the pan, and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
6. Stir in the snow peas and cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
7. Prepare the bamboo leaves by washing and softening them in hot water for about 15 minutes.
8. Take two bamboo leaves, overlap them slightly, and place a portion of the soaked sticky rice (about 100 grams) in the center.
9. Add a generous spoonful of the vegetable mixture on top of the rice, then cover with another portion of sticky rice.
10. Fold the bamboo leaves over the filling to create a triangular shape, securing it tightly with kitchen twine or string.
11. Repeat the process for the remaining ingredients to form 2 zongzi.
12. Place the zongzi in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 45 minutes.
13. Once cooked, allow to cool slightly before unwrapping and serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 380
• Protein: 9 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in dietary fiber which aids digestion.
• Contains antioxidants from mushrooms and vegetables that promote overall health.

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