Central African-inspired Gyoza with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

In this Central African-inspired adaptation of gyoza, we incorporate flavors and spices commonly found in Central African cuisine. The traditional Japanese gyoza filling is enhanced with aromatic spices like garlic, ginger, paprika, and cayenne pepper, which add a touch of heat and depth to the dish. Additionally, the gyoza are served with a spicy peanut sauce, a staple in Central African cuisine, which complements the dumplings with its rich and tangy flavors. We alse have the original recipe for Age gyoza, so you can check it out.

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef or chicken 1 pound (450g) ground beef or chicken
• 2 cups (300g) finely chopped cabbage 2 cups (300g) finely chopped cabbage
• 1 cup (150g) grated carrots 1 cup (150g) grated carrots
• 1/2 cup (75g) finely chopped onions 1/2 cup (75g) finely chopped onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 30 gyoza wrappers 30 gyoza wrappers
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• For the Spicy Peanut Sauce: For the Spicy Peanut Sauce:
• 1/2 cup (120g) creamy peanut butter 1/2 cup (120g) creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili paste 1 tablespoon chili paste
• 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Water (as needed to adjust consistency) Water (as needed to adjust consistency)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic, ginger, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Take a gyoza wrapper and place a spoonful of the filling in the center. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, then fold it in half and pleat the edges to seal the dumpling. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
3. 3.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the gyoza in a single layer and cook until the bottoms are golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
4. 4.
   Pour 1/4 cup (60ml) of water into the skillet and cover immediately. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the gyoza are cooked through and the water has evaporated.
5. 5.
   While the gyoza are cooking, prepare the spicy peanut sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, chili paste, and lime juice. Add water gradually to achieve the desired consistency.
6. 6.
   Serve the gyoza hot with the spicy peanut sauce for dipping.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground meat — Ensure the meat is well-cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety.
• Gyoza wrappers — Keep the wrappers covered with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out while assembling the dumplings.
• Spicy peanut sauce — Adjust the consistency of the sauce by gradually adding water until it reaches your desired thickness.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground meat with crumbled tofu or cooked lentils.
• Experiment with different dipping sauces like a tangy tamarind chutney or a spicy tomato salsa.
• Freeze any leftover gyoza on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag for future quick and delicious meals.
• Serve the gyoza as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal with steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables.
• If you prefer a milder spice level, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper in the filling and the chili paste in the sauce.

Serving advice

Serve the Central African-inspired gyoza as an appetizer or main course. Arrange them on a platter and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for a pop of color. Provide small bowls of the spicy peanut sauce for dipping.

Presentation advice

Arrange the gyoza neatly on a serving platter, ensuring they are evenly spaced and the pleated edges are visible. Drizzle a little extra spicy peanut sauce over the dumplings for an attractive presentation. Serve with a side of steamed rice and a colorful salad to complete the meal.