RECIPE

Spinach-and-Pork Wontons

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR
  • SERVINGS: 6

For a taste of: Asia
Try this book: Asian Dumplings

In her pan-Asian cookbook, food writer Andrea Nguyen recommends homemade wonton wrappers but says store-bought are fine: "Just look for ones labeled 'thin' or 'Hong Kong–style.' "

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR
  • SERVINGS: 6
  • MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 2 cups baby spinach, rinsed
    2. 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
    3. 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
    4. 1 teaspoon dry sherry
    5. 1/4 teaspoon salt
    6. 1/4 teaspoon sugar
    7. Pinch of freshly ground white pepper
    8. 1/4 pound ground pork
    9. 1 small scallion, minced
    10. 3/4 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
    11. Cornstarch, for sprinkling
    12. 30 thin wonton wrappers
    13. 2 tablespoons chile oil
    14. 2 tablespoons peanut oil
    15. 1 small garlic clove, minced
    16. 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Directions

  1. In a skillet, cook the spinach, stirring, until wilted; transfer to a colander and squeeze dry. Finely chop the spinach.
  2. In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 teaspoons of the soy sauce, the sesame oil, sherry, salt, sugar and white pepper. Mix in the pork, scallion, ginger and spinach. Chill for 10 minutes.
  3. Dust a large baking sheet with cornstarch. Arrange 4 wonton wrappers on a work surface, keeping the other wrappers covered with plastic wrap. Brush the edges of the wrappers with water and spoon 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each. Fold the wrappers diagonally over the filling to form triangles; seal. Bring the two opposite corners of the triangle together; press to seal. Transfer to the baking sheet and cover. Repeat.
  4. In a large saucepan of boiling water, simmer the wontons over moderate heat, stirring occasionally. When they float, cook for 3 minutes longer. Drain the wontons well.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the remaining soy sauce with the chile oil, peanut oil and garlic. Add the wontons and toss. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve.