Sichuan-Style Wontons in Red Oil

Chinese food experts Kei Lum and Diora Fong Chan fill these Sichuan-style wontons with ground pork and napa cabbage. The wontons are topped with a red oil flavored with chili powder, garlic, ginger and crushed Sichuan peppercorns. Bonus: The wontons can be made ahead and frozen for up to a month. This recipe originally appeared in CHINA: THE COOKBOOK by Kei Lum and Diora Fong Chan.

INGREDIENTS

WONTONS

• 5 ounces/150 grams ground (minced) pork
• 1/2 teaspoon light soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 napa cabbage (about 7 ounces/200 grams), leaves separated
• 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch (cornflour)
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 48 cantonese wonton wrappers
• 2 tablespoons crushed peanuts (optional)
• scallion (spring onion)

RED OIL

• 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sichuan peppercorns, crushed
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

1. Combine the pork, soy sauce, salt, sugar, and 2 tablespoons water in a bowl and mix well. Marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the red oil. Toast the sesame seeds in a small pan over medium heat and shake occasionally for 3–5 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside.
3. Mix the ginger, garlic, salt, soy sauce, chili powder, and crushed peppercorns in a small heatproof bowl.
4. Heat the oils in a small skillet (frying pan) over medium-high heat, then pour into the bowl. Stir in the sugar and toasted sesame seeds. Set aside.
5. To make the filling, bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the cabbage leaves, and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Chop the cabbage, squeeze out most of the water, and add to the pork. Mix well. Stir in the cornstarch (cornflour) and the sesame oil. Mix again.
6. Take a wonton wrapper and lay it flat on a cutting board. Add about 1/2 tablespoon of the filling in the center of the wrapper. Fold into a triangle, then fold the two ends to the center. Seal the folds with a little water. Press the ends tightly and lay on a large plate. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
7. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the wontons, in batches, and cook for 3–4 minutes until they float to the surface of the water. Add 1/2 cup (4 fl oz/120 ml) cold water, increase the heat, and return to a boil. Cook the wontons until they float to the surface, then use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a bowl.
8. Drizzle over the red oil, sprinkle over the crushed peanuts, if using, and scallion (spring onion), and serve immediately.

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