Paleo Gyoza Bites Recipe

Today we have a guest recipe from Russ Crandall, also known as The Domestic Man. Russ has just launched his new cookbook Paleo Takeout (see my review ...

By Alex

• Aug 03, 2026 • 0 Comments •

4.8

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

45 mins

Servings

4 People

Today we have a guest recipe from Russ Crandall, also known as The Domestic Man. Russ has just launched his new cookbook Paleo Takeout (see my review of the book after the recipe) and this recipe for gyoza bites is from the Japanese section of the book. I personally love gyoza dumplings and I was happy to find a paleo friendly version in this cookbook and to have Russ share the recipe with you guys.

For those of you who don’t know what gyoza are. Gyoza are Japanese dumplings based on the Chinese dumplings jiaozi, which are characterised by their crimped edges. They are most often steamed and pan-fried at the same time, resulting in a dish that is soft on one side and crispy on the other. I appreciate that replicating the thin wrapper dough of traditional gyoza is too much of a challenge for the weeknight home cook, so Russ developed this Gyoza Bites instead, which can be made quickly and tastes just as great. That’s good enough adaptation for me!

Description

These tasty meatballs are the perfect adaptation of everyone’s favourite Japanese gyoza dumplings. Makes 4 servings as an appetizer or you can use as two servings and complete the meal with a large Asian slaw or steamed vegetables.

DIPPING SAUCE:

SURIMI (MEAT PASTE):

Combine the dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
Combine the surimi ingredients in a food processor and pulse until tacky and well mixed. Transfer to a mixing bowl and mix together with the cabbage and green onion using your hands. Form into 20 to 25 small balls using wet hands.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add half of the balls and pan-fry until cooked through, rotating often, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and the remaining balls and pan-fry until cooked through, then serve with the dipping sauce.

Notes

Togarashi powder is that red pepper spice you see in many Japanese eateries, usually sprinkled on a ramen soup. You can buy it from Asian stores and online or you can make a substitute by combining half portion of cayenne pepper, quarter portion of paprika, and quarter potion of lemon pepper. For example, to make 1 tablespoon of togarashi powder, use 1/2 tablespoon of cayenne, a little less than 1 teaspoon paprika, and a little less than 1 teaspoon lemon pepper.
Mirin is a wine made from sweet rice, unlike sake which is also a rice wine, mirin is much sweeter and goes well with salty tamari or coconut aminos sauce. I use mirin occasionally in Asian cooking and you can get a bottle from Asian sections of you local supermarket, Asian grocers and online. It’s a good buy as you can use it in dressings and stir-fries.
Tamari sauce is a gluten free naturally brewed soy sauce that can be bought in most health food stores and in many supermarkets. Coconut aminos can be used instead.

About the Paleo Takeout cookbook

I own Russ’ first cookbook The Ancestral Table, which I really like, so I was pretty excited when he released his new cookbook Paleo Takeout – Restaurant Favorites Without The Junk. The reason I love Russ’ cooking is because he and his family have a very similar food philosophy. He is a big advocate of the paleo diet but with a more relaxed approach inspired by the Perfect Health Diet framework developed by Paul Jaminet, Ph.d and Shou-Ching Jaminet, Ph.D.

This approach includes more starchy foods, such as white rice, white potatoes and their starchy powders, and some dairy. You might have seen a hash tag #teamwhiterice on social media. We don’t see things white rice as a staple but rather as a carrier for more nutrient dense foods. The reason white rice is ok (unlike brown rice) is because most of the anti-nutrients usually found in the brown rice grain are removed during the milling and polishing process, so what you’re left with is a simple source of starch and glucose. It’s a fairly benign, although high, source of carbohydrates which is totally ok to consume in moderation.

Now that we got #teamwhiterice stuff out of the way, here is what you need to know about the book. With over 200 recipes (most with gorgeous pictures taken by the author), the cookbook focuses on popular restaurant and take out dishes from Asian, European and Latin American cuisines. Most of these are paleo friendly adaptations of the classics but with Russ’ own twists and personal touches.

There are so many delicious looking recipes in here, from mouth-watering Asian dishes such as Hot and Sour Soup, Honey Sesame Chicken, Okonomiyaki, Tempura, Bulgogi, and Pad Thai, to more subtly flavoured European and American classics of pizza, wings and burgers. Russ also provides a glossary for less common ingredients as well as handy substitutes, and a guide to AIP modifications. There is a short but comprehensive guide to paleo and PHD way of eating for those who are new to it, as well as his handy kitchen and cooking tips. I’ve bookmarked at least 10 recipes to cook in the near future.

Paleo Takeout is now available in the US and Canada, and I hope that we will also soon be able to get it in other countries. In the meantime, check out more about the book here and enjoy Russ’ gyoza bites!

Source link

Grandma Denny’s Homemade Ranch Dip

My Grandma Denny’s Homemade Ranch Dip was a Denny family favorite long before anyone heard of Ranch Dressing! And this family favorite Ranch Dip is a delicious low-carb and keto dip recipe and in my family this makes an appearance at every holiday gathering!

PIN Grandma Denny’s Homemade Ranch Dip to try it later!

My Grandma Denny’s Homemade Ranch Dip is one of my favorite memories from childhood! As early as I can remember, my Grandma Denny made a fantastic dip that she served with carrots and celery as an appetizer at every family gathering. In those days we called Grandma’s homemade ranch dip just *Vegetable Dip* as if there was only one kind of dip that could possibly be served with veggies.

This was long before the introduction of Ranch Dressing to the American culinary scene, and obviously my Grandma Denny was ahead of her time, because now people all over the country are eating Ranch Dip with veggies. And in my own extended family, there would never be a holiday gathering without this delicious homemade Ranch Dip on the table.

Of course there’s nothing wrong with making Ranch-Style Vegetable Dip using a package mix if that time-saver works for you. But my grandma’s Homemade Ranch Dip is a bit fresher tasting as well as being low in carbs, and if you usually use the mix but don’t have a package on hand I bet you’ll love my Grandma’s recipe.

Grandma Denny always used full-fat mayo and sour cream, but for anyone wanting lower fat you can obviously make this with reduced-fat products if you prefer. Or if you don’t like mayo, you might prefer the variation below for Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip, made with Greek yogurt and blended cottage cheese for a higher protein, lower-fat dip.

What ingredients do you need for this recipe?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

Can you make this dip with onion powder?

I love the flavor the grated onion gives to my Grandma Denny’s homemade ranch dip. But if you prefer or want to save time, just use 1 tsp. onion powder.

Can you make this homemade ranch dip with Greek Yogurt?

I sometimes make a variation of this that I call Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip that’s lower in fat and higher in protein. For that variation follow this recipe but replace the sour cream with one cup of cottage that’s blended in the food processor until it’s nearly smooth and replace the mayo with one cup fat-free Greek Yogurt. (This is the version I would make when I was strictly following the original South Beach Diet.)

Want a version of ranch dip with more texture?

You can make a variation of this homemade ranch dip recipe with a little chopped red onion, finely diced cucumber, and finely diced red pepper if you’d like a chunkier dip. I would use about 2 T of each.

How to Make Grandma Denny’s Homemade Ranch Dip:

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

My Grandma always used Bon Appetit Seasoning Salt as the secret seasoning in her vegetable dip, but it’s no longer being made (sob!) If you still have Bon Appetit, use it, but now I use Beau Monde Seasoning (affiliate link). If you’re in Europe you can also use Trocomare Seasoning. (affiliate link)
Grate a small amount of raw onion into a bowl. (I use the large side of a box grater; don’t use a microplane grater which just turns the onion to liquid.)
Add mayo and sour cream to bowl.
Then add Beau Monde Seasoning and dried dill weed (affiliate link).
Mix all ingredients together well with a whisk. You can use a food processor as well, but the whisk is quicker.
Let the dip chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour or two for best flavor.
Serve with raw vegetables like celery, sugar snap peas, bell pepper strips, jicama, radishes, broccoli, or cauliflower.
This is also good with carrots or as a dip for baked sweet potato fries for those who don’t mind more carbs.
I tested this out on my friend Robin and she gave it two thumbs up!

More Tasty Vegetable Dips You Might Like:

Weekend Food Prep:

This recipe has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep where you’ll find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!

Ingredients

1 cup sour cream (see notes)
1 cup mayo (see notes)
1 tsp. grated onion
2 tsp. dried dill weed
2 tsp. Beau Monde Seasoning (see notes)

Instructions

Grate onion into a bowl, using the large side of a box grater or flat grater (not a microplane grater.)
Add all other ingredients to the bowl and stir together with a whisk (or you can use a food processor, but it’s not necessary.)
Chill an hour or so before serving.

Notes

I only use Daisy full-fat sour cream and full-fat mayo for this recipe but if you prefer to make a lower-fat version of the recipe you can definitely use reduced fat sour cream and mayo.

My Grandma always used Bon Appetit Seasoning for this. When that was discontinued I started making it with Beau Monde Seasoning (affiliate link), which is almost identical in flavor.

This will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks. Nutritional information doesn’t include vegetables and is calculated on 1/4 cup serving size.

Recipe from my Grandma Denny, who was a wonderful cook!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 245Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 564mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Grandma Denny’s Homemade Ranch Dip is great for low-carb diets.Eat with low-carb vegetables like celery, sugar snap peas, jicama, bell pepper strips, radishes, broccoli, or cauliflower for low-carb diets. If you’re making this for the original South Beach Diet the Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip variation above is better for South Beach.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Appetizers to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find more recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
Kalyn was making this dip recipe long before the existence of the internet, and it was first posted on this site in 2005 (probably without a single photo in those days.) The recipe was last updated with more information in 2023.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Source link

Join the Conversation (0)

Be the first to comment on this recipe!

TVNow