WONTON FILLING AND WRAPPING

RECIPE PREP: Open the package of wonton wrappers. Cover them with a lightly-damp cloth so they don’t dry out. Add a small dish of water to your work surface. Have a container with lid ready. Use it to keep wontons from drying out.

1. Add all wonton filling ingredients to a medium bowl. With a fork, mix and mash the ingredients into a thick sticky paste. Small chunks will remain, and that’s okay. They’ll provide a nice texture for the wonton filling.
2. Place a wonton wrapper on your work surface. Add 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of filling to the middle. Dip a fingertip into the water. Lightly wet all four edges of the wrapper. This will help to seal the wonton. Fold the bottom half up and over the filling. Press out any air. Edges should neatly align and be sealed together.  Bring the top piece of the noodle up over the pocket of filling, like a little bonnet. Bring the left and right edges tightly down toward the bottom. Press the edges together to seal the wonton. If needed, use a tiny dab of water to keep the pieces together.
3. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add half the wontons to the water. Lower the heat to medium. Allow them to cook for 4 minutes, or until filling is cooked through. The wrappers will swell and the wontons will start to float. Remove dumplings from the pot with a slotted spoon. Repeat process with remaining batch.

WONTON SOUP BROTH

While the Chinese dumplings are boiling, make this flavorful broth:

1. Add broth ingredients to a pot over high heat. Once it comes to a boil, cover the pot with a lid. Lower the heat to medium. Allow broth to simmer for 10 minutes.
2. With a spoon or strainer, remove the pieces of ginger.

OPTIONAL: For added color and texture, add bok choy to this recipe! Blanch it in the hot broth for 1 1/2 minutes, or until it reaches desired tenderness.

HOW TO ASSEMBLE WONTON SOUP

1. Divide the dumplings between individual soup bowls.
2. Ladle broth over the dumplings. Add in pieces of bok choy. Sprinkle sliced green onions over the soup.
3. If desired, serve with red pepper flakes or chili oil.