Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Foods Using Wonton Wrappers

Fried wonton strips are a traditional snack.


Wonton wrappers are a staple of Asian cuisine. Made primarily from flour and eggs, the thin sheets are similar to pasta or flour tortillas. Traditionally, wonton wrappers are used to make wonton soup, egg rolls and pot stickers. However, wonton wrappers are incredibly versatile and you can use them in a number of dishes. Next time you've got leftover wonton wrappers, use them on an unexpected new dish.


Crackers


Baked pieces of wonton wrapper are a quick, simple snack perfect for unexpected guests or hungry kids. Drizzle a parchment-lined baking sheet with olive oil, then lay squares of wonton wrapper on the sheet in a single layer. Drizzle again with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. For added flavor, sprinkle the wonton wrappers with herbs, spices and grated Parmesan cheese. Or, go for a sweet wonton by skipping the salt and pepper in favor of cinnamon and sugar. Bake the wrappers in a 375-degree oven until crisp and golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.


Tex-Mex Wontons


Wonton wrappers are most often filled with Asian-inspired foods, but they are suitable with Southwestern-style fillings as well. Shred leftover chicken, pork or steak with two forks. Combine the shredded meat in a bowl with cooked rice, beans, cheese and finely chopped vegetables. Place a dollop of the filling in the center of a wonton wrapper, and fold together. Cook the filled wontons as you would normally and serve with salsa or sour cream on the side.


Dessert Wontons


To make sweet, filled wontons, combine softened cream cheese, chopped nuts, fruit or chocolate chips in a mixing bowl. Add maple syrup, honey, Nutella, cinnamon or sugar for extra flavor. Place a dollop of a cream cheese mixture into the center of each wonton wrapper. Fold the wonton wrapper, sealing the edges by dipping your fingertips in water. Cook the wontons by sauteeing, deep-frying or baking. If you wish, sprinkle the cooked dumplings with cinnamon and sugar and serve warm.


Muffin Tin Wontons


Folding delicate wonton wrappers precisely can be difficult, so use your muffin tin to make easy wonton cups. Grease the muffin cups with cooking spray. Arrange a square of wonton wrapper in the muffin cup, pulling the edges up over the sides of the cubs. Mix together your favorite cooked meat, vegetables and cheese in a bowl. You can make a homemade version of crab Rangoon by mixing canned crab meat, cream cheese, mayonnaise and diced scallions. Place a spoonful of the mixture into each wonton cup, then place the muffin tin into a preheated 350-degree oven. Bake until the wonton wrappers are browned and the filling is heated through, about 20 minutes. For extra-crispy wonton cups, bake them empty for 5 minutes before adding the filling.

Tags: wonton wrapper, cinnamon sugar, cream cheese, wonton wrappers, about minutes