What is Tuna Gyoza?
Savor the delectable fusion of flavors in tuna gyoza, a tantalizing Japanese dish marrying the delicate taste of tuna with the savory goodness of traditional gyoza. Each bite-sized dumpling boasts a perfect balance of tender tuna filling and crispy pan-seared wrapper. Whether enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or part of a meal, tuna gyoza offers a unique culinary experience that delights the palate and leaves a lasting impression. Dip in soy sauce or a tangy dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Gyoza wrappers are round thin sheets used as the wrapping for dumplings. The sheets are nearly paper thin, pliable and made from wheat flour. On occasion these wrappers are square shaped. The flavor of the wrapper is bland, which helps the filling of either meat, vegetables or seafood stand out.
Tuna is a type of saltwater fish and vary in size and color, depending on the type of tuna. Generally tuna has a semi-firm texture and is very flaky and often on the dryer side. It is a meatier fish than others. The meat is red when raw and once cooked it takes in a grey tone. The flavor is strong and fishy.
Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable in the broccoli and brussel sprout family. It has many large, crunchy leaves layered tightly to form a round body, varying in size from an apple to a small soccer ball. Some newer varieties of cabbage have a conical shape. Cabbage is either light green, or dark purple. The flavor is mild, vaguely sulfurous, slightly sweet and vegetal. Cabbage is used across cuisines, both raw and cooked.
The shitake is a type of mushroom with a uniquely earthy flavor that is rich, buttery and meaty. The shitake mushrooms grows on logs and trees. They have thin white stems that appear almost fuzzy, they are not smooth like the stem of a button mushroom. The caps are flat with edges that gently curve under. Deeply curved edges indicate an immature shitake that was picked too soon. The cap is light brown on top and has a cream colored underside with gills. The texture is smooth with a bit of a moist chew.
Scallions, also called green onions are a thin onion formed into a stalk with a white bottom that sprouts out into two or three thin, tubular branches. They are less than a foot in height and three quarters of the scallion is green. It is easy to cut and chew and is dry with a hint of juiciness. The flavor is spicy and sharp with a green taste. Scallions are used to flavor to savory foods.
Soy sauce is a liquid condiment and seasoning made from fermented soybeans. Traditionally it was been made with just soy, many versions and brands use wheat as well. Soy sauce is dark brown with a thin viscosity. The flavor is intensely salty and umami. Soy sauce is used to season meats, seafood and vegetables, it is also used in sauces to perk up the flavor of the food and enhance other tastes.
Rice vinegar is sometimes confused with rice wine vinegar and while both are made from fermented rice, each is different. Rice vinegar is made by fermenting the sugars in rice and then turning it into an acid. Rice vinegar is more delicate than other vinegars, such as white or red. The flavor of this pale yellow liquid is tangy, sweet and mild. It is used as a seasonings in some East Asian cuisines.
Vegetable oil is obtained by extracting oil from seeds. Types of vegetable oil include canola, sunflower, corn, and safflower. Light and with a neutral taste, vegetable oils are used to fry foods, or can be used to lightly coat meats and vegetables before roasting. Vegetable oils are also used as ingredients in salad dressings and sauces.
Sesame oil is pressed and extracted from sesame seeds. Sesame is a tiny seed with an earthy and nutty flavor. The sesame ranges in neutral colors from white to black. Raw sesame oil is yellow. Roasted sesame oil is a light to medium shade of brown. The raw, or non-roasted oil has a milder taste than the roasted variety and is more multi-purpose, whereas the oil from roasted sesame seeds lends a deep, earthy flavor that pairs well in East Asian dishes and is used as a flavoring.
Ginger is a spice whose root is used in food around the world. The root is grown underground and has a hard body and thin beige skin. The root has many rounded and long shoots and is often fat. The flesh of the ginger is golden colored with a flavor that is earthy, spicy and bright. Ginger is made into tea, used in sauces, desserts and savory dishes.
Sake is an alcoholic beverage made from rice and differs slightly from rice wine. Sake is made by fermenting the starch of rice with a fungus. The liquid result has an ABV of 15-20%. Sake is clear and may have a yellow tinge or be milky and slightly opaque. Sake varies in flavor, some are more dry, while others are sweet. It can be buttery and fruity, among other flavors. Good quality sake is smooth and can be served hot or cold. It offered in small portions and meant to be sipped on.
La-Yu chili oil is a Japanese chili oil used in Japanese cooking and in Japanese versions of Chinese food. The oil is thin and has an orange color from the chilies. It is hot, spicy and works wonderfully to bring together an East Asian themed dish.
Garlic is used in cuisines around the world and is extremely popular for its depth of flavor. The garlic bulb forms underneath the soil and is harvested once it reaches maturity. The bulb typically has thin, dry, white and flaky skin, surrounding the individual cloves. Often there are 10-12 cloves to a bulb/head of garlic. The cloves are cream colored with a strong smell and flavor that is spicy and sharp. Garlic takes on a nutty flavor in addition, when cooked. It is used in countless dishes, sauces, breads and more.
Salt is a mineral composed mostly of sodium chloride. It is the main flavoring used in food and is naturally occurring in certain foods, such as cheese, beets, meat and celery, plus many others. Salt is white and has finer granules than sugar. Many commercial salts include iodide, while others exclude it. Most salts are white, while some are naturally pale pink with minerals. Salt brings out the flavor of something and can create a tangy mouthfeel, if used in excess.
The peppercorn plant grows in tropical climate and produces tiny black fruit. The fruit is dried and become hard. At this point it is ground into a textured powder comprised of black and grey dots. It has a flavor that is spicy, pungent and sharp. Pepper is an extremely popular spice, especially in Western cuisines and lends a gentle heat to dishes. There are different varieties of black pepper and the flavor changes subtly because of this.
