Fried Wontons With Sweet and Sour Sauce

I have been eating fried won tons since our family lived in Asia when I was a preschooler. I love them. Although they are a somewhat time-consuming and stink up your house a little with the oil and garlic, they are definitely worth the effort.

We have made them a few times for New Year's Eve with Brett's brother's family. I thought it was nice that Donna suggested we do it again this year for the sake of tradition, since we had missed making them together the last two years or so.

The recipes always say that you use the filling raw. However, we sometimes had a hard time getting the oil temperature just right to get the filling cooked through without burning the wrappers. Now our family cooks the ground beef before mixing it with everything else. That way, you don't have to worry so much.

Beef-Filled Won tons
Source: Deanna Johnson

1 pound ground beef
1 egg, beaten
2 green onions, chopped
1 can water chestnuts, chopped finely
1 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
dash salt
1 garlic clove, chopped fine
1 package won ton wrappers (3" squares)
water, for sealing wrappers

Mix first eight ingredients together. Put one heaping teaspoon in the center of the won ton wrapper. Dab your finger in some water and moisten the edges. Fold the wrapper over the filling to form a triangle, pressing the edges to seal them. Fold the two corners adjacent to the folded edge towards the center. Wet one corner, and press and seal the other corner on top of it. Fry in hot oil until light brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sweet and sour sauce and/or soy sauce.

Red Sweet and Sour Sauce
Source: Donna

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup vinegar
2/3 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup catsup

Combine first four ingredients in a small saucepan. Stir until cornstarch is completely dissolved before turning on the heat. Cook over medium. Heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat when clear and thickened. Stir in catsup.

If making for dinner, serve them with rice, stir-fried vegetables, and sweet and sour sauce.

[Your tummy won't be happy with you in the morning if you only pig out on the fried won tons and neglect to feed it some rice and veggies, Brett!]