Fried Wontons or Egg Rolls

Fried Wontons or Egg Rolls
Makes at least 36, enough for 8 to 12 people
Time: about 30 minutes
These are the simplest and most basic dumplings, and they take almost no
time to cook. They're deep-fried, but they don't spatter (as long as the
package is sealed well enough to contain the filling), and they're virtually
foolproof. This same filling may be used to fill egg roll skins. Finally,
if you prefer, switch the proportions of pork and cabbage, using � C of the
former and 1 C of the latter. Or omit the meat entirely and use a
combination of minced vegetables.
Vegetable oil for deep-frying
1 C ground or minced pork or shrimp, or a combination
� C minced scallion
� C finely shredded cabbage, preferably Napa
1 t minced garlic
1 t peeled and minced or grated fresh ginger
� C stemmed, seeded, and minced red bell pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 t soy sauce
1 t dark sesame oil
1 egg
36 to 48 wonton skins or at least 6 egg roll skins
 1. Put enough oil in a large, deep saucepan to come to a depth of at
 least 2 inches. The broader the saucepan, the more of these you can
 cook at once, but the more oil you will use. (They cook very quickly,
 so don't worry if your pan is narrow.) Turn the heat to medium-high;
 you will want the temperature to be at about 350�F when you start cooking.
 2. Combine all remaining ingredients except the wonton skins. To fill
 the skins, place 1 or 2 rounded teaspoons of filling in the center of each
 skin (use more for egg rolls); fold over to make a triangle and seal
 carefully with a few drops of water. Let rest on waxed paper until you have
 finished filling all the skins.
 3. Place the wontons in the oil 2 or more at a time, raising the heat
 to maintain temperature. Cook, turning once, until nicely browned, a
 total of just 3 or 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve
 immediately, with Soy and Sesame Dipping Sauce or Marinade.
Lighter, Steamed Wontons
In step 1, set up a steamer; to improvise, fit a plate or a rack above 1
inch or so of boiling water in a covered pot. In step 2, use minced shrimp
or boneless chicken breast instead of the pork or shrimp; the other
ingredients remain the same. Fill and seal the wontons as above; keep them
moist by covering them with a damp towel until you're ready to cook. Steam
the wontons I none or two batches, for about 10 minutes per batch. Serve
hot, with Soy & Sesame Dipping Sauce or Marinade.
Shaping Egg Rolls
(Step 1) Lay the wrapper with one point facing you and place a large
spoonful of filling about 1/3 of the way up, leaving a one-inch border on
either side.
(Step 2) Fold up the bottom point.
(Steps 3-4) Fold in the sides and roll it up. Seal with a few drops of
water or beaten egg.
Cookbook: How to Cook Everything
Author: By Mark Bittman
Typed by: Susan alexanderjamesmom@gmail.com
== Contributed by: ==
* Catsrecipes Y-Group
Category:Cathy's Recipes