Spinach and Tofu Wontons in Broth
- 1 large bunch spinach (1 to 1 1/4 pounds), stemmed and washed well in 2 changes of water, or 9 ounces baby spinach (1 1/2 6-ounce bags)
- 6 ounces firm tofu, cut in 1/4-inch dice (about 1 cup diced tofu)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons soy sauce (to taste)
- 2 teaspoons dry sherry
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil, canola oil or peanut oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 large cloves)
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup minced scallions (white and light green parts)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- 1 package wonton wrappers (freeze what you dont use)
- 1 egg, beaten, or 2 tablespoons water mixed with 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 quarts chicken stock or vegetable stock
- Salt to taste
- Chopped cilantro and sprigs for garnish
- Steam the spinach above 1 inch boiling water until it wilts, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water and squeeze dry, taking up the spinach by the handful.
- Chop fine and set aside.
- Blot the tofu on paper towels.
- Combine the soy sauce, sherry, sugar and salt to taste in a small bowl and stir until the sugar and salt have dissolved, then stir in the sesame oil.
- Place on the stove near your wok or skillet.
- Place the garlic, ginger and scallions together in a container near your wok or skillet.
- Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or a 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan.
- Swirl in the grapeseed, canola or peanut oil by adding it to the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the tofu and spread out in a single layer.
- Let it sear for 1 minute, then stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until it begins to color.
- Add the garlic, ginger and scallions and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the spinach and sesame seeds and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the soy sauce mixture and stir-fry for another minute, breaking up the tofu a little bit more with your spatula, then stir in the cilantro and remove from the heat.
- To fill the wontons, lay out about 6 wonton skins on your work surface and place a level teaspoon of the tofu/spinach mixture in the center of each one.
- Brush the perimeter of the wonton skin with a very small amount of beaten egg or with the cornstarch mixture.
- Fold the wonton in half if using round skins, or diagonally corner to corner if they are square, and pinch the edges together all the way around to seal.
- Now put a little dab of egg or cornstarch mixture on the two opposite corners of the triangle or the two ends of the half-circle, fold the package in and pinch the tips together.
- Place on a parchment-covered baking sheet.
- Continue filling the wrappers until all of the spinach and tofu mixture is used up.
- If not cooking right away place the baking sheet in the freezer.
- Bring the stock to a simmer in a soup pot or a wide saucepan.
- Season to taste with salt or soy sauce.
- Add 6 to 8 wontons per serving and simmer 5 to 7 minutes, flipping them over once to ensure even cooking.
- Spoon wontons into soup bowls, ladle in broth and garnish with cilantro.
- Serve hot.
spinach, firm tofu, soy sauce, sherry, sugar, salt, sesame oil, grapeseed oil, garlic, fresh ginger, scallions, sesame seeds, cilantro, wonton wrappers, egg, chicken, salt, cilantro
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014780 (may not work)