Pan-fried Wontons

Method4 steps · about 10 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Before heating the pan, mince the garlic (1) and wash, drain and chop enough scallion (1 tbsp) for 1 tbsp. Stir the 1 tbsp Chinese toasted sesame paste with its separate 2 tbsp hot water until smooth and thin. Mix in all the 2 tsp light soy sauce, optional 2 tsp chili oil, ½ tsp sugar, minced garlic clove and tablespoon of scallion. Keep this dipping sauce ready.

   Uses 1 tbsp Chinese toasted sesame paste · 2 tbsp hot water for dipping sauce · 2 tsp light soy sauce · 2 tsp chili oil, optional · ½ tsp sugar · 1 garlic clove · 1 tbsp scallion · Water for washing the scallion, as needed

2. 2

   Step 2: Heat a 10-inch (25 cm) non-stick pan over medium-high heat with the 1–2 tbsp neutral oil. Add enough fresh or still-frozen assembled wontons for one layer, without crowding; do not thaw frozen wontons. Fry for a few minutes until the bottoms are golden and slightly crisp. If pieces are frozen together, avoid forcing them apart and tearing their wrappers; they will separate more easily after cooking.

   Uses All the selected 1–2 tbsp pan-frying oil · All the ready assembled wontons that fit one uncrowded layer in the 25 cm pan

   
3. 3

   Step 3: Keep the pan over medium-high heat. Use its lid as a shield while carefully adding the ⅓ cup steaming water, then cover immediately. Steam for 7–8 minutes, checking from 7 minutes, until most of the water has evaporated and the wrappers and filling are fully cooked. Follow the cooking endpoint for the wontons’ chosen recipe or package; size and frozen state may require longer. If the pan dries before they are done, carefully add a little of the extra steaming water and re-cover until cooked through. Keep the pan attended.

   Check steamed wontons from 7 minutes · 7 minUses All the wontons and pan oil after browning in step 2 · ⅓ cup steaming water · Extra water for continued steaming, only if needed

   
4. 4

   Step 4: Uncover carefully once the wontons are fully cooked and the steaming water has evaporated. Let the bottoms become crisp again if needed, then lift the wontons onto a plate, leaving excess pan oil behind. Share between two snack portions and serve immediately with the prepared sesame sauce alongside; dip as much as you like.

   Uses All the fully cooked wontons lifted from the pan after step 3 · The prepared bowl of sesame dipping sauce from step 1