The following post has been sponsored by Nasoya. All opinions expressed are my own.
Nasoya Vegan Dumplings and our Cauliflower Fried Rice are a delicious and easy option for Meatless Mondays!
Plato remarked once that we need to curate what we read with all of the same care that we curate our diets, comparing words and ideas to the “nutrients of the mind.” He said this, “I suspect, in part because you never really know what will stick with you and what won’t. You never know what you’ll end up carrying with you through the rest of your days, or what will end up changing the way you think – and keep in mind that not all change is good.”
For example, in 2016 I read an article by Robin Rauzi entitled “How vegetarians, gluten-frees, grain-frees, and other L.A. food tribes ruined my BBQ tradition.” The article runs primarily as an indictment of virtually every attempt at health-minded eating from the point of view of someone emotionally invested in block-party style barbeque. The one big question the article failed answer, however, is “Why are you inviting vegetarians and ‘gluten-frees’ to a BBQ where the primary food on offer consists of various forms of sandwiched meat?”
Given that almost forty percent of Americans report trying to fit more plant-based foods into their diet last year, I’m afraid Mr. BBQ’s situation has only worsened.
Regardless, every time I prepare something that’s vegetarian, gluten-free, or Keto-friendly, as well as every time I barbeque something meaty on the grill, I end up thinking back to that otherwise mundane article. It’s positively silly.
On the other hand, it’s made me think that perhaps his issue wasn’t ‘really’ with those on health-minded diets – as the article infers – but rather with the food that we’ve come to associate with ‘healthy eating.’ While Aristotle remarked that “sweetness is a sign of nutrition,” citing fruit as evidence of his theory, the equation is almost the reverse today. “Health Food” and “Conscientious Eating,” are regarded in almost the same way that pilgrims of bygone eras regarded penance – something to be endured with the promise of future reward.
You can probably guess the next question I’ll be asking, and in true saleswoman style – “Ah-Ha! But what if your vegan-tastic or superbly-keto food didn’t need to taste like penance? Well, I’ve got just the thing for you!”
Instead, let me borrow a page (column?) from the aforementioned LA Times article, and phrase it this way – from the perspective of one looking to please guests. It’s spring, you’re having company over to enjoy the rebirth of the outdoors, and to bask in the still ever-so-slightly chilled air, made pleasant by a freshly radiant sun, free of the winter’s grey canopy. From where I’m sitting, the first boats have just been put in the water, water alive with the season’s first flocks of geese, ducks, and swans all vying for the choicest spaces along the river, while the hedges closing in my yard have turned from eerie spider-limbed visages of wintery slumber to bright and lively portents of the summer season yet to come. Now, to complement this ‘in between’ season, I need something light, something fresh tasting, but something that’s easy to pull together, and that can be enjoyed equally by my vegan-minded guest as by my sternly omnivorous daughter.
Dumplings fit that bill rather nicely, and thanks to Nasoya products there’s a vegan-friendly alternative that even the pickiest of palates will appreciate. You can locate Nasoya at your local Shoprite or Stop and Shop in the product department. Don’t forget your special coupon at checkout! Just open a pack, prep as directed, and pair with rice and/or a salad, and they make a surprisingly satisfying lunch or light dinner. I find them particularly ideal for a sunny spring afternoon.
I paired mine with fried cauliflower rice, and a homemade duck-sauce (I don’t think I’ve ever actually used duck-sauce on duck). Homemade duck-sauce is blissfully easy to prepare, but the store-bought option will work just fine if you prefer. If however, you would like to make your own, simply whisk together 1/4 cup apricot preserves, 1/4 cup peach preserves, 1/4 cup hoison sauce, and about 2 tablespoons of water just to loosen it up a bit.
Nasoya Dumplings come in two delicious flavors, Tofu Vegetable and Thai Basil Vegetable. As a bonus, they’re USDA Certified Organic and contain six to seven grams of plant-protein per serving.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 large carrot sticks, diced
- ½ cup green peas
- 1 cup cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 bunch scallions, finely chopped
- Sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish, optional
For the sauce:
- 1 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- Juice of ½ orange
- 2 teaspoons hot chili paste
- 1 tablespoon apricot preserves
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce. Set aside.
- In the food processor, ‘rice’ your cauliflower florets.
- Heat a large frying pan with sesame oil. Sautee the garlic, carrots, mushrooms, peas, and scallions until all the water has cooked out of the mushrooms, about 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the sauteed vegetables from the pan and discard the broth from the pan.
- Return the pan to the heat, and cook the riced cauliflower for about 5 minutes, just until it has softened. Add the sauteed vegetables back to the pan, toss in with the cauliflower. Add the sauce to the pan, toss again until well-incorporated.
- Transfer the rice to the serving bowl and top with toasted sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
And that’s a wrap. What are some of your favorite light spring recipes? We would love to hear from you.
Enjoy with Love!
Stacie says
Vegan food has never looked so good! I could seriously eat my weight in those dumplings and “rice”.
angiesrecipes says
wow both dumplings and cauliflower rice look so droolworthy!
Danielle Wolter says
that sauce sounds incredible! Love dumplings. I am a true meat lover at heart, and am not a fan of vegan food. Which is hard given the current trends. I am a believer is healthy eating, I’m all about whole foods and vegetables. But I also believe in moderation to keep a healthy lifestyle. i.e. i don’t eat BBQ at every meal, but love to indulge every so often.
berlin says
this is something i will surely try at home. my boys are now experimenting on food and what a nice way to introduce to them the cauliflower rice.
Joanna says
I love eating clean (that doesn’t mean I am a vegetarian though, I do enjoy meat), and cook everything from scratch. I would love to know how to make dumplings, the easy way. I have tried making bbq sweet pork buns one time and whilst they turned out delicious, I slaved over them for 5 hours in the kitchen.
wander women abroad says
wow those are some beautiful looking dumplings….and they are vegan?! I want these right now!
jordan says
i love cauliflower rice!!
kumamonjeng says
Wow, the dumpling looks so pretty and ready to eat and it saves time to make the skin or folding them. As you know folding a dumpling may require some skills to perfect them. I love to dip my dumpling with some vinegar and soya sauce.
Dennis Littley says
I’ve heard of cauliflower rice but cauliflower fried rice would be a delicious change from rice. The vegan dumplings look delicious too! Thanks for sharing this recipe with us!
Cristina Petrini says
Who said that eating vegan is eating without taste? Yummy!
Yeah Lifestyle says
This looks like such a delicious dish. I really like cauliflower rice, should definitely have it more often.
Myriam says
Yummyyy! this made me so hungry! Might try it some day!
Jayne @ SMABL says
This looks delicious and would make a nice light midweek meal. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us!
Lisa says
The more vegan dishes I see the more I want to try them. These dumplings look so delicious, as does the cauliflower rice. It’s so possible to eat healthy and still delicious too.
Melissa M Sanchez says
This is an amazing option for Meatless Mondays, I love it! and those dumplings look so good!
Heather says
Since I stopped eating meat, I’ve really missed dumplings! I’m going to have to try these, for sure!
Alexandra Cook says
This looks nice and simple to put together but so delicious! Perfect for a weekend breakfast treat!
Shannon Gurnee says
These look like a delicious treat! I bet they tasted amazing!
Chelle Dizon says
We already tried the cauliflower fried rice and it was a success in our house. My son likes it so much. The Thai Basil Vegetable dumplings sounds really delicious.
Kalyan says
One can’t go wrong with this dumpling and fried rice. I still relish the taste of the last time I savored it.
Candy Rachelle says
This looks perfect meal for our day swimming. Those dumplings look really yummy and delicious.
Sincerelymissj says
I am not vegan but this food looks super tasty.
Sonal says
I had no idea that nasoya was making it. So looking for these yummies on my next grocery visit.
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, That is a very attractive and appealing meal…and something different too! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave