When we celebrate the Lunar New Year, we take delight in preparing a variety of auspicious dishes – special dishes that carry good meanings. These dishes are meant to share positive vibes and good wishes with our loved ones and ourselves. For example, there’s a dish called fortune bag dumplings, shaped like money bags to bring in prosperity and luck. I mean, who wouldn’t want to start the new year with a bit of luck and blessings, right?

You have two options for preparing this dish: one using dumpling wrappers and the other using nappa cabbage leaves. The preparation is quite straightforward. I don’t follow a specific recipe; instead, I simply use the ingredients I have on hand. In this instance, I opted for a purely vegetable filling, but you can explore options such as meats, shrimp, or different seasonings to suit your preferences. The creative possibilities are endless. I used frozen veggies this time because I needed to make a quick lunch for the kids.

I used my homemade dumpling wrappers and brushed one side of each with oil before stacking them together. I gathered about 5-6 wrappers and proceeded to roll them out, making them thinner and larger. Once they attained the desired size, I set them in a steamer, allowing them to steam for around 15 minutes. Meanwhile, I began preparing the filling. (Using a bamboo steamer is advisable to prevent condensation from affecting the wrappers.)

Dice the vegetables you plan to include in the wraps. Whether you opt for fresh or frozen vegetables is entirely your decision. For an extra crispy texture in the wraps, consider adding celery or water chestnuts.

Once everything was prepared, I proceeded to stuff each wrapper with my well-prepared filling and folded them into small money bags. Typically, I would secure these with cilantro stems, as they offer the dual benefit of being entirely edible, enabling you to savour the entire dumpling in a single bite, and adding a nice green colour, making the dish look even more appealing. In some cultures, cilantro is associated with positive attributes such as good luck, happiness, and health. Using cilantro leaves aligns with the symbolism of prosperity and good fortune often associated with money bag dumplings.

While cilantro stems are a popular choice for tying money bag dumplings, it’s essential to cater to personal preferences and dietary restrictions. If someone has an aversion to cilantro or prefers an alternative ingredient, using banana leaves or other suitable options is a viable choice. Ultimately, the choice of tying material depends on taste, cultural significance, and individual dietary considerations.

What’s a popular New Year’s dish that you like? Share with me in the comments!

Ingredients: Remember you can use any vegetables of your choice (fresh or frozen)

• Dumpling wrappers (round) – homemade or store bought
• Filling of your choice ( I used vegetables this time but you can use any meat, shrimp, tofu etc.)
• 2 tsps ginger, minced
• 2 tsps vegetarian or regular oyster sauce
• 4 tsps light soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 celery stalk, diced (optional)
• 4-5 water chestnuts, diced (optional)
• 1/2 cup bamboo shoots (optional)
• 1/4 cup peas (optional)
• 1/2 cup carrots, grated (optional)
• green scallions, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper
• Cooking oil (for brushing)
• Cilantro stems or banana leaves

I’ve listed all the vegetables as optional, allowing you the flexibility to choose the ones that best suit your taste. These are the choices I typically include in my wraps.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dumpling Wrappers:
   • Lay out the dumpling wrappers on a clean surface.
   • Brush one side of each wrapper lightly with cooking oil. This will prevent sticking and help achieve a crispy texture when steamed.
2. Stack and Roll Out the Wrappers:
   • Stack about 5-6 wrappers on top of each other, with the oiled sides facing inward.
   • Gently press the stacked wrappers together.
   • Roll out the stacked wrappers into thinner and larger circles using a rolling pin. Aim for a size that is easy to work with and will hold your desired filling.
3. Steam the Wrappers:
   • Place the rolled-out wrappers in a bamboo steamer or any steaming apparatus.
   • Steam the wrappers for approximately 15 minutes or until they become translucent and slightly sticky. Steaming times may vary depending on the thickness of the wrappers.
4. Prepare the Filling:
   • While the wrappers are steaming, prepare your filling of choice. You can use a mixture of vegetables, meat, seafood, or any other ingredients you like.
   • Cook and season the filling according to your taste. Ensure it is fully cooked and ready to be wrapped.
5. Assemble the Money Bag Dumplings:
   • Once the wrappers are ready, carefully remove them from the steamer.
   • Lay out each steamed wrapper on a clean surface.
   • Place a portion of your prepared filling in the center of each wrapper.
6. Fold and Tie the Money Bags:
   • Gather the edges of the wrapper to create a pouch, forming a money bag shape.
   • If desired, use cilantro stems or banana leaves to tie the top of each money bag. This step is optional but adds a decorative touch. Remember to blanch the cilantros for about 30 seconds.
7. Steam Again (Optional):
   • If you want to heat the dumplings and meld the flavours together further, you can return the tied money bags to the steamer for a few additional minutes, but be cautious not to overcook.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Once they are heated to your liking, remove the money bag dumplings from the steamer.
   • Serve the dumplings hot with your favourite dipping sauces or condiments.

Thermomix Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dumpling Wrappers:
   • Lay out the dumpling wrappers.
   • Brush one side of each wrapper lightly with cooking oil using a pastry brush.
2. Stack and Roll Out the Wrappers:
   • Stack about 5-6 wrappers together, with the oiled sides facing inward.
   • Carefully roll out the stacked wrappers to make them thinner and larger. Aim for the desired size.
3. Steam the Wrappers:
   • Place the rolled-out wrappers in the Varoma dish or on a steaming tray.
   • Set up the Thermomix with water in the mixing bowl.
   • Steam the wrappers for approximately 15 minutes at Varoma temperature, Speed 1, or until they become translucent and slightly sticky.
4. Prepare the Filling:
   • While the wrappers are steaming, prepare your filling using the Thermomix as needed. Cook and season the filling according to your preferences.
5. Assemble the Money Bag Dumplings:
   • Once the wrappers are ready, remove them from the steamer.
   • Lay out each steamed wrapper on a clean surface.
6. Fold and Tie the Money Bags:
   • Gather the edges of the wrapper to create a pouch, forming a money bag shape.
   • If desired, use cilantro stems or banana leaves to tie the top of each money bag. This step is optional but adds a decorative touch. Remember to blanch the cilantros for about 30 seconds.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Once tied, the money bag dumplings are ready to be served hot with your favourite dipping sauces or condiments.