Korean Wontons

Christy Lee from Horsham, Pennsylvania, shares her recipe for Korean wontons, also known as mandoo. Unlike many traditional Korean dishes, these fried dumplings are not hot and spicy. They are filled with a combination of inexpensive vegetables and ground beef, making them both flavorful and budget-friendly. With their crispy exterior and delicious filling, Korean wontons are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack that is easy to prepare.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 cup canned bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1 1/2 teaspoons plus 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 1/3 pound ground beef
• 1/3 cup sliced green onions
• 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 package (12 ounces) wonton wrappers
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons water

PREPARATION:

1. In a wok or large skillet, stir-fry the cabbage, bean sprouts, and carrots in 1 1/2 teaspoons of canola oil until tender. Set aside.
2. In a small skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Add the cooked beef to the vegetable mixture. Stir in the green onions, toasted sesame seeds, minced gingerroot, minced garlic, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Place about 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. Combine the beaten egg and water. Moisten the edges of the wonton wrappers with the egg mixture. Fold opposite corners over the filling and press to seal.
4. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of canola oil in a large skillet. Cook the wontons in batches for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown, adding additional oil if needed.

YIELD: 5 dozen wontons

PREP TIME: 35 minutes COOK TIME: 30 minutes

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• You can customize the filling by adding other vegetables or adjusting the seasonings according to your taste preferences.
• Wontons can be fried in batches and kept warm in a low oven until serving.

TIPS:

• To ensure the wontons stay crispy, avoid overcrowding the skillet while frying.
• Serve the Korean wontons with a dipping sauce of your choice, such as soy sauce or a combination of soy sauce and rice vinegar.

Enjoy the delightful flavors of Korean wontons, shared by Christy Lee from Horsham, Pennsylvania. These fried dumplings, known as mandoo, are a favorite snack in Korean cuisine. Unlike many traditional Korean dishes, Korean wontons are not hot and spicy. Instead, they are filled with a combination of shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, ground beef, and flavorful seasonings.

To prepare the wontons, stir-fry the vegetables until tender and combine them with cooked ground beef, green onions, sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Fill each wonton wrapper with a tablespoon of the filling, fold, and seal the edges. Fry the wontons in batches until golden brown and crispy.

The result is a batch of delicious and crispy Korean wontons that are perfect as an appetizer or snack. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as soy sauce or a combination of soy sauce and rice vinegar, to enhance their flavors.

These wontons can be easily customized by adding other vegetables or adjusting the seasonings to suit your taste preferences. They are a great way to incorporate inexpensive ingredients into a flavorful and satisfying dish.

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply looking for a tasty snack, Korean wontons are a fantastic choice. Prepare a batch of these easy-to-make dumplings and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors and textures they offer.