Food: wontons [cabbage+chili peanut oil]

Wontons/dumpling/dim sum/momo - very similar bite size goodness. They can be made with any filling of your choice. These are vegetarian wontons but with just a little addition of minced shrimp/chicken/beef you can make them your own variation. Adding some more vegetables, such as bean sprouts, water chestnuts, celery or even adding minced tofu would be other great ways to make wontons. Okay I just gave you a lot of ideas! Here is my recipe. 

My ingredients, 

1/2 cabbage shredded :: 1 cup shredded carrot :: 1/2 onion sliced :: 1/2 cup scallion sliced

2/3 chopped green chili :: 1 tbsp minced/grated ginger :: 1 tbsp minced/grated garlic

3 tsp cornflour :: 3 tbsp water; 2 tsp sesame oil :: 2 tsp soy sauce :: 1/2 tsp white pepper

salt+pinch of sugar+oil

Chop up and shred all the vegetables. The vegetables need to be small pieces so that it is easy to squeeze inside the tiny wonton. Heat oil in the pan and sauté the onions. Then add the ginger/garlic. Immediately toss in all of the vegetables and cover and cook. The vegetables will cook in their own juice. Don't let it burn. Stir often and let them sweat in the pan. 

When the vegetables are almost cooked, mix in the above ingredients with the 3 tbsp water and stir it into the vegetables. Turn your heat off if you see that the water is evaporating quickly. The vegetables will bind together. Check for salt and adjust with salt and a pinch of sugar. Let it cool. 

I used store bought wonton wrappers. Before filling it up, I lined the edges with water using my hand. It is easier to wrap the wontons if the entire thing is done on your palm. This is how they actually make them in Asia. I just placed mine on the chopping board for visual clarity. 

Fill up the wrapper with the cabbage filling. I try to squeeze in as much as I can since I love eating more filling than wrapper. 

Then I formed a triangle by sealing the diagonal corners. Make sure the edges are sealed properly. I use water to seal mine, whereas some people like to use eggwash. 

Take the two opposite corners of the triangle that are farthest from each other and overlap them. 

Spray a baking sheet with oil, and place the wantons. Oh yeah, did I mention that I was baking them? You can also steam or fry them. Heat the oven at 375. 

I had some chili peanut oil which I used to brush over the wontons. You can just as easily spray cooking oil over them. Bake for about 25 minutes or until it is crispy enough. Bon appétit!