Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 20
Makes: 60 wontons
Have you ever wondered, ‘What’s a wonton soup?’ but felt shy to ask? Don’t worry, we’ve got you!
Wontons (餛飩) are a popular type of dumpling in China. Different parts of China have their own names and ways of making them. For example, in Sichuan, wontons are called ‘Chao Shou’ (抄手) and are served with chili oil and sesame paste instead of broth. In other regions, people serve wonton soup in a tasty broth with toppings like sliced egg crepes, zicai (紫菜), and fresh greens.
Is Wonton Soup Hard to Make?
Making wonton soup might sound tricky, but don’t worry! You can find the ingredients for this easy recipe at most grocery stores, and they’re simple to put together. The toughest part will be…not making them again and again!
Ingredient Tips
- Wonton Wrappers: You can find wonton wrappers at most grocery stores, but Asian markets have more options. Look for ones labeled “thin” or “Hong Kong style” for a softer texture.
- Rice Wine: If you visit an Asian market, grab a bottle of rice wine (Shaoxing). It might be harder to find at regular stores, though some do carry it.
- 30% Fat Pork: Use pork mince with at least 30% fat for the best taste and texture. Less fat (20% or less) will make the filling dry and tough.
- Spring Onions: Also called scallions, these are easy to find in most supermarkets.
- White Sesame Oil: This lighter sesame oil has a mild flavor compared to the darker, toasted version. If you can’t find white sesame oil, look for “light” or “blended” sesame oil instead.
Deveining Shrimp
When you buy raw shrimp, you might see a thin black line along its back. Even though it’s called deveining, that line isn’t a vein, it’s the shrimp’s digestive tract. The dark color means it has grit inside. Removing it is easy: just use a small knife to make a cut along the back and pull out the line with the tip of the knife.
Make Ahead
Wonton soup taste great fresh, but you can also make them ahead of time. They’re perfect for meal prep or getting ready for dinner parties and special events. They also freeze really well.
Ingredients
Seasonings:
Steps to Make Wonton Soup
01
Make sure you have all the ingredients ready before you start to make Cajun Gumbo Recipe.
02
Put half of the shrimp, all the pork, 2 tablespoons of ginger, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of rice wine, 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of sesame oil into a food processor and blend.
03
Cut the rest of the shrimp into small pieces and put them in a bowl. Add the chopped spring onions and the blended mixture from the food processor. Mix everything gently until it’s combined.
04
Spoon 1 teaspoon of filling into the center of a wonton wrapper. Use your fingers to fold and seal it tightly into a bundle shape. You can add a little water to the edges to help it stick. Sprinkle some flour on a plate and place the wontons on it as you make them.
05
Heat a pot of water or broth until it boils. Add the wontons a few at a time and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they float to the top.
Feeling Adventurous? Try This:
- Boil the wontons and serve them in hot broth to make wonton soup. Add baby bok choy or other veggies to make it more filling.
- Add boiled wontons to noodle soup for extra flavor in a wonton soup.
- Deep-fry the wontons and serve them with sweet chili sauce, ketchup, or soy sauce. They make a great wonton soup.
- Serve boiled wontons with red chili oil, sweet soy sauce, and a little vinegar for a tasty wonton soup.
How to Store and Freeze
- Before Cooking: You can keep uncooked wontons in the fridge overnight. Cover them to keep them fresh and cook them the next day.
- In the Fridge: Store leftover cooked wontons in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure they don’t touch each other, so the wrappers don’t stick or tear. To reheat, microwave them for about 45 seconds with a little water in the container and loosely covered, or steam them on the stove for about 5 minutes until hot.
- In the Freezer: Wontons freeze really well. Lay uncooked wontons on a baking sheet so they don’t touch and freeze for a few hours until solid. Then transfer them to freezer bags or containers and use them within three months. You don’t need to thaw them, just cook as usual.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- 154 Calories
- 4g Fat
- 18g Carbs
- 10g Protein
