Crispy Wonton Appetizer

June 11, 2012

Much like the egg roll or empanada, wontons can be as versatile as one can imagine.  Other than as a soup, wontons can come in the form of fried or steamed appetizers with fillings that range from meat to seafood to vegetables.  For this recipe, I experimented with baked wonton appetizers that are open-faced, with the wonton wrappers molded into miniature muffin cups and filled with sauteed ground pork, turkey bacon bits and grated mozzarella cheese.  I couldn’t be happier with the result. What’s more, preparation of this dish is quick and easy. So the next time you have guests come over for some cocktail tete a tete  or group bonding, serve up this crispy fare that will surely fire up some great conversation.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 lb ground pork

1/3 cup turkey bacon bits

4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1/2 cup fresh diced tomatoes

1/2 cup diced onions

24 wonton wrappers

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp soy sauce

Salt & pepper to taste

1/4 cup of chopped green onions for garnish

DIRECTIONS

In large wok, heat olive oil

Add garlic and saute till golden brown

Add onions and tomatoes and cook for about a minute

Add ground pork and cook until all the pink color is gone

Add soy sauce

Add salt & pepper to taste

Add bacon bits

Cook for another 2-3 minutes

Remove from heat, drain excess liquid and set aside

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Press wonton wrappers into slightly oiled mini muffin molds

Bake wrappers until they turn golden brown

Remove wrappers from oven and spoon 1-2 teaspoons of the ground pork into each mold

Top each mold with one teaspoon of mozzarella cheese

Bake for another 2 minutes until cheese is melted

Serve the baked wontons while warm and crispy. Garnish with green onions.

(Makes 24 single appetizers)