homemade wonton soup

Wonton soup is a classic Chinese dish loved for its comforting, flavorful broth and delicious wontons filled with savory fillings. Making homemade wonton soup from scratch might seem intimidating at first, but it’s surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. In this recipe, we will guide you through making both the wontons and the flavorful broth, resulting in a delicious and heartwarming meal.

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Ingredients:

For the Wonton Filling:

• 1/2 lb (225g) ground pork (or chicken or shrimp, or a combination)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions (scallions)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp white pepper (or black pepper)
• 1/4 cup water chestnuts, finely chopped (optional, for crunch)
• 1 egg (optional, for binding)
• Wonton wrappers (about 30-40 pieces)

For the Soup Broth:

• 6 cups chicken broth (preferably homemade or low-sodium)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 slices of fresh ginger (about 1/4-inch thick)
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2-3 green onions (scallions), cut into 2-inch pieces
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
• Extra green onions, for garnish (optional)

For the Garnish (Optional):

• 1/2 cup baby bok choy or other leafy greens (blanched)
• Chili oil or chili flakes (optional, for heat)

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Instructions:

1. Prepare the Wonton Filling:

1. Mix the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, chopped green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, white pepper, and chopped water chestnuts (if using). Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. If you like, you can add an egg for extra binding.
2. Test the filling: If you’re unsure about the seasoning, take a small spoonful of the filling and quickly sauté it in a pan to taste. Adjust the seasonings as needed.

2. Assemble the Wontons:

1. Prepare the wrappers: Place your wonton wrappers on a clean, flat surface. Lightly cover them with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out.
2. Fill the wrappers: Take a small spoonful of the filling (about 1 teaspoon) and place it in the center of each wonton wrapper. Be careful not to overstuff them.
3. Seal the wontons: Moisten the edges of the wonton wrapper with a little water. Fold the wrapper in half to form a triangle, then press to seal the edges tightly. If you’d like to make traditional “purse” shaped wontons, bring all four corners together and pinch them to seal.
4. Repeat: Continue filling and sealing the remaining wontons. If you’re making a large batch, you can freeze any extras for later use. Lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.

3. Make the Soup Broth:

1. Simmer the broth: In a large pot, combine the chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, ginger slices, garlic, and green onion pieces. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat, allowing the flavors to infuse for 15-20 minutes. Adjust the heat to low to keep it warm while you cook the wontons.
2. Strain the broth (optional): Once the broth has developed a rich flavor, you can strain out the aromatics (ginger, garlic, green onions) for a cleaner broth, or leave them in for extra flavor.

4. Cook the Wontons:

1. Cook the wontons: Bring a large pot of water to a boil (separate from the broth pot). Gently drop the wontons into the boiling water in batches to avoid overcrowding. Stir gently to prevent them from sticking. Once the wontons float to the surface (about 3-4 minutes), continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until they are fully cooked through. You can check by cutting one open to ensure the filling is cooked.
2. Transfer wontons: Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cooked wontons from the water and place them in the prepared broth. Continue with the rest of the wontons.

5. Serve the Wonton Soup:

1. Assemble the soup: Ladle the hot broth and wontons into bowls. If you’re adding vegetables like blanched bok choy, add them to the bowls as well.
2. Garnish: Top with fresh cilantro, additional chopped green onions, and a drizzle of chili oil or a sprinkle of chili flakes if you want a bit of heat.
3. Enjoy: Serve your homemade wonton soup hot and enjoy the comforting, flavorful goodness.

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Tips & Notes:

1. Wonton wrappers: Wonton wrappers can be found in most grocery stores, often in the refrigerated section near tofu or Asian ingredients. If you can’t find them, you can use dumpling wrappers, but they may be a bit thicker.
2. Freezing wontons: If you want to make a large batch of wontons, freeze them uncooked on a baking sheet first. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. To cook frozen wontons, simply drop them straight into boiling water or broth without thawing.
3. Customizing the filling: You can customize the filling to your liking. For a shrimp wonton soup, replace the pork with finely chopped shrimp. For a vegetarian version, substitute mushrooms, tofu, and vegetables for the meat.
4. Broth variations: Feel free to add additional ingredients to the broth, such as a dash of fish sauce for a deeper umami flavor, or a splash of Shaoxing wine for extra fragrance.
5. Make-ahead: The broth can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Wontons can also be prepared ahead of time and kept in the freezer.

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Why You’ll Love Homemade Wonton Soup:

• Comforting and flavorful: The combination of the soft wontons and rich, aromatic broth is the ultimate comfort food.
• Freshness: Homemade wontons are so much fresher than store-bought, and you can adjust the filling to your taste.
• Customizable: The filling, broth, and toppings can all be adjusted to suit your personal preferences, making this recipe incredibly versatile.