Versatile Wonton
So yummy!!!
- What it looks like when you roll them
Pinch then ends
How you lay them out
Apply the water lightly
I think the wonton wrapper is quite under-utilized in American food. I use wonton wrappers to make breakfasts, hors d’oeuvres, snacks, and main dishes. They are wonderfully versatile! Also, they are inexpensive and can go a long way. So, let us start with the wonton as a dessert.
Strawberry Burst
2 tablespoons butter
1/8 cup blueberry jam
½ cup ricotta cheese
Small bowl of water
6 wonton wrapper
Powdered sugar
Mint leaf (for garnish)
(Makes 6 wontons)
Those are the ingredient amounts I put into about 6 wontons. But, if you are going to make a few more then I just open the containers of ricotta cheese and the blueberry jam and use a measuring spoon to fill each wonton wrapper. I think the key to using the wonton wrapper as a dessert is butter. I cook the wonton in butter and lightly dust it with powdered sugar. So, here is what I do, I put about 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet on medium high heat. As the pan is heating up I make my wontons. I take out approximately 6 wonton wrappers and place them on a flat dry surface, flowered side down. I fill each wonton wrapper with ½ teaspoon jam and 1 teaspoon ricotta. I make sure to put the filling in the upper middle of the wonton wrapper. (See picture) Dip your fingers in the bowl of water and lightly wet where there is clean wonton (where the filling is not). That slight bit of water is the adhesive for the wonton. (See picture) Roll the wonton over to adhere it. (See Picture) Then pinch the sides to adhere them. (See picture)
Place filled wonton in the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes on each side. It should be golden brown. Dust it lightly with powdered sugar. Or, you can put cool whip or whipped cream in a container and dip the wonton (after it has cooled). Yum!
This is a great dessert and I am able to find these ingredients at my farmer’s market (except the wonton wrapper).
As an appetizer or snack:
Mushroom & Goat Cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/8 cup chopped goat cheese
½ cup chopped mushroom
Salt & pepper (a pinch)
¼ teaspoon rosemary
1/8 cup of flour
6 wonton wrappers
(Makes 6 wontons)
In a small skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the mushroom, a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper, and the rosemary. Sautee for 3 minutes. Set aside. As a side note, I personally like to take the filling and play around with it. For example, if you are not a fan of rosemary try tarragon instead. Play around with it! Make cooking fun!
On a flat surface spread out the flour. I use a cutting board and cover it with flour. Put the wonton wrappers (flour side down) on top. Then fill each wonton with equal amounts of the cheese and the mushroom mixture.
As a main course:
I think people are doing this more often but I like to use the wonton as a faux ravioli or ‘purse’. They are also great because you can freeze them and quickly heat them for a fast dinner. As I explained above you can use water to make the wonton wrapper stick (or you can use egg white). So, you take your favorite filling like cheese or butternut squash and fill the wonton. Use water to make the sides stick to each other Then boil it in a lightly boiling pot of water.
¼ of a cup of your favorite filling
6 wonton wrappers
Boiling water
Salt
Parmesan cheese, butter sauce or jar of tomato sauce
Lay the wonton wrappers on a dry flat surface flour side down. In the middle of each wonton wrapper place 1 teaspoon of your favorite filling. I have used a mixture of cheeses, goat cheese and chives, butternut squash puree, roasted pepper puree, the list can go on. Lightly apply water to the wonton that is not covered with food. Fold the wonton over to adhere the part you just covered with water. (See picture) Try to not let air in the filling part. The less air the easier it is to boil. Set the wontons aside.
I use a large pot to boil my wontons in but that may be because I usually make quite a few at a time. After I cook a bunch I freeze some. So, I bring a large pot of water to a light boil. Add some salt then place the wontons in the water. I boil for no more than 5 minutes. They are very slippery when they come out. You can sprinkle some cheese on them, put a light butter sauce over them or just use a jarred tomato sauce. Yum! A great dinner!
Topic: Food Tags: easy, Food, wonton
