Discover the Secret Ingredient in Our Delectable Steamed Vegetable Wontons!
These Steamed Vegetable Wontons feature a mouth-watering savory filling that will leave you wanting more. But what’s the secret ingredient that gives them an extra kick of flavor? You’ll have to try them to find out!
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Legend has it that huntuns were traditionally made in celebration of the Chinese New Year, and the folded shape of the wonton resembled ingot, the currency used during that time. While the fillings earned varied names and ingredients over time, the practice of folding the stuffed wrapper remained a perennial favorite. In modern times, the filling of steamed wontons can range from ground pork to mixed vegetables, like this recipe.
Steamed Vegetable Wontons’ popularity also stems from its relative simplicity and adaptability. The recipe calls for wonton wrappers that can be filled with anything from mushrooms, bean sprouts, carrots, and spinach to chicken or pork. Adding just the right blend of spice and sauce brings out the exquisite umami that makes this dish a standout.
Once filled, these little packets are then steamed over boiling water, allowing the savory flavors to permeate through the wrapper. The end result is a piping hot, mouth-watering appetizer that can be enjoyed on its own or with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Whether reliving a delectable memory of your travels or creating a new one in your own kitchen, there’s a little bit of history and a lot of flavor in every bite of these Steamed Vegetable Wontons.
Ask the Chef: Pro Tips for making Steamed Vegetable Wontons
Don’t Overfill the Wontons
Be sure not to overfill the wontons as this will make it difficult to wrap them up and they may burst open during steaming. One teaspoon of filling is enough – anything extra will cause the wontons to come apart when steaming.
Properly Seal the Wontons
Make sure that the edges of the wonton wrappers have been tightly sealed. Use water on your fingertips to moisten the edges of the wrapper before folding so that the edges stick together and prevent the filling from falling out during steaming.
Don’t Let the Wontons Touch
Make sure the wontons are spaced at least 1 inch apart from each other on the steamer rack to prevent them from sticking together during steaming.
Adjust Steaming Time According to Size
The recipe calls for 6-8 minutes of steaming time, but this could vary based on the size of your wontons and type of steamer used. Monitor your wontons closely and adjust as needed.
Experiment with Sauces
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different dipping sauces. Sweet chili sauce, soy sauce with a dash of sesame oil, and honey mustard are just a few of the options that taste great with these wontons.
Repurpose Leftover Vegetables
This recipe is a great way to use up leftover vegetables in your fridge. Consider using colorful veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli to add interest and vitamins to your dish.
Try a Different Cooking Method
If you don’t have a steamer, you can also pan-fry or boil the wontons. For pan-frying, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the wontons until browned, then add water and cover to steam for a few minutes. For boiling, simply add the wontons to a pot of boiling water and cook until the wrappers become translucent and the filling is cooked through, around 5-7 minutes.
How Many Calories are in Steamed Vegetable Wontons?
Nutrition Facts
4 Servings per Recipe
Calories: 140
- Total Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 450mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 23g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 1g
- Added Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 4g
What Drinks Pair Best with Vegetable Wontons with Savory Filling?
Wine pairing: A dry Riesling or a Pinot Gris would pair well with the Steamed Vegetable Wontons with a Savory Filling. The crisp acidity and fruity notes of these wines would complement the flavors of the mixed vegetables and the savory sauce.
Beer pairing: A great beer pairing for Steamed Vegetable Wontons with a Savory Filling would be a Belgian-style Witbier. The light and refreshing flavors of the beer will complement the delicate flavors of the vegetables in the wontons, while the light citrus and spice notes in the beer will enhance the aromatics of the garlic and ginger. A good option would be Hoegaarden, a classic Belgian Witbier with notes of coriander and orange peel.
Cocktail pairing: A suitable cocktail pairing for Steamed Vegetable Wontons with a Savory Filling would be a light and refreshing Gin and Tonic. The crisp and refreshing flavors of gin and tonic water complement the savory and slightly sweet flavors of the wontons without overpowering them. It would make for a perfect pairing to enjoy on a warm summer evening.
How to Make Steamed Vegetable Wontons
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely chopped mixed vegetables (Napa cabbage, carrots, shiitake mushroom, green onion)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 24 wonton wrappers
- Water, as needed for steaming
Instructions
- In a skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add in the mixed vegetables and continue cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and white pepper to make sure the mixture is coated evenly with sauce. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
- Spoon 1 teaspoon of the filling to the center of each wonton wrapper. Brush the edges with water and fold them over into a triangle, pressing down on the sides to seal.
- Place the wontons on a steamer rack, keeping them 1 inch apart from each other.
- Bring water in the steamer to a boil. Place the steamer rack with the wontons over the water and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
- Steam the wontons for 6-8 minutes or until the wrappers become translucent and the filling is cooked through.
- Remove the steamer basket from the heat and let the wontons sit for 1-2 minutes before serving.
- Serve the steamed wontons with your choice of sauce and enjoy!