What Are Wonton?

Never heard of Wonton? That’s ok, you’re in the right place. Wonton is a traditional Chinese dumpling that’s made with a mix of ground pork, vegetables and seasonings. They are usually served with a savory sauce or as part of a soup.

Making Wonton at home is surprisingly easy and makes for an impressive dish for any occasion! You can use store-bought wraps or make your own—it’s up to you. What you’ll need to get started are the following ingredients:

• Ground pork
• Fresh vegetables, like diced onions and carrots
• Seasonings like soy sauce, garlic, ginger and sesame oil
• Wonton wrappers
• Optional: Egg wash (one egg + 1 tablespoon water) for sealing wontons

Ingredients for Making Wonton

Making wonton from scratch at home is not only surprisingly easy but also yields a tasty and satisfying result. All you need are a few ingredients and the right techniques, and you’ll be well on your way to homemade wonton heaven.

The main ingredients for making wonton includes:

• Wrappers: Most recipes call for thin, square wonton wrappers. These can be found in the frozen food aisles of most stores. Be sure to defrost them before beginning to make your wontons!
• Filling: The filling is what makes a wonton unique. Traditional fillings include minced pork, shrimp, shredded cabbage, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. Feel free to experiment with different combos if you like!
• Sauces: For dipping or adding into your fillings, sauces like soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil are all great options.
• Other additions: Garlic, scallions, ginger and other aromatics will add flavor to your filling. Some recipes also call for beaten egg to help the wrappers stick together when sealed.

To get started on preparing your own delicious homemade wontons, all these ingredients are essential!

How to Make the Wonton Wrapper

Now for the fun part. Making your own wonton wrappers is surprisingly easy. All you need is a few simple ingredients: flour, salt, oil, and water. But even better, it’s a lot of fun, and you can get creative with the shapes and sizes that you make.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt
2. Slowly mix in 3/4 cup of warm water until the dough comes together in a ball
3. Knead the dough for around 15 minutes on a lightly floured surface until it’s smooth and elastic
4. Divide the dough into half (or to whatever size you need your wrappers) then roll each piece into a long 10-inch log
5. Cut each log into small pieces about 1/2 inch thick
6. Roll them out with a rolling pin until they are about 3-4 inches in diameter
7. Brush both sides lightly with oil or cooking spray to make them easier to work with
8. Now that you have your wrappers ready, it’s time to start stuffing!

Fillings for Wonton

Ready to get creative with your wonton fillings? Here’s where you can take the recipe in any direction you like. Whether it’s classic pork, chicken and prawns, or if you want to experiment with different vegetables and flavors, there are plenty of options when it comes to making wonton.

Here are some of your options:

• Pork
• Chicken
• Prawns
• Beef
• Tofu
• Vegetables (carrots, cabbage, onions)
• Cheese (ricotta cheese or cream cheese)
• Spices (chili powder or paprika)

When it comes to fillings for wonton, the possibilities are almost endless! You could combine classic meat and vegetable combinations such as pork and cabbage, chicken and mushroom or prawns and peppers. You could also go for a vegetarian option like tofu with carrots or ricotta cheese with spinach. If you’re feeling adventurous, add a pinch of something extra like chili powder for kick or paprika for smokiness.

Cooking Techniques for Wonton

When it comes to cooking wonton, you have two options: steaming and boiling. Both of these techniques will yield delicious wonton but they each have slight differences in terms of temperature and cook time.

Steaming

Steaming is the most popular method for cooking wonton because it results in a texture that is light and fluffy. Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil and then placing your wonton on a steamer basket or plate inside the pot. Make sure the wonton are not touching each other and cover the pot. Reduce the heat to low and let it steam for about 8 minutes.

Boiling

Boiling is an easy and straightforward way to cook wonton, but it does require that you keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, then add your wontons one at time with a slotted spoon. Boil for 4-5 minutes, or until they float to the surface – this indicates that they are cooked through. Once cooked, remove them with the slotted spoon and let them drain on paper towels before serving!

Best Ways to Serve Homemade Wonton

Now that you’ve made wonton, you’re probably wondering how to serve them up to your guests or family. Luckily, the options are endless! Here are a few of the best ways to serve homemade wonton:

1. Chinese Soup – Make a delicious, flavorful broth and add your cooked wontons to make a comforting Chinese soup.
2. Stir-Fry – Cut the won tons into smaller bites and add them to your favorite stir-fry dish for an extra punch of flavor.
3. Deep Fried – Deep fry your wontons for a crispy appetizer that everyone will love!
4. Boiling – Boil won tons in water until they are cooked through and serve with a dipping sauce of your choice.

No matter how you decide to serve up the homemade wonton, it’s sure to be delicious! Get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations and textures for an unforgettable meal that everyone can enjoy!