Wednesday, April 1, 2009

zerada's wontons... sort of

my girlfriend zerada use to make the best won tons when she would visit. we haven't seen each other for sometime until i stumbled on facebook! so this recipe is for her. zerada's recipe called for some kind of meat substitute from a can (sounds frightening but really great for this recipe) and water chestnuts... the only ingredients i had on hand, from her recipe, were the scallions and won ton wrappers.

my version is more thai...

1 package of won ton wrappers
1 package extra firm tofu
4 stalks scallion, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro
1/2 cup raw cashews, chopped
2 tsp thai red curry paste
1 tsp turmeric
2 cloved garlic, minced
shredded carrots...i might have added some
dash of soy sauce
dash of sesame oil
dash of olive oil
2 cups grape seed oil, to fry the won tons

in a saute pan heat the sesame and olive oil (about 2 Tbs total) over medium heat then add the thai red curry paste and turmeric. heat and blend for about 1 minute. add the tofu and crumble it as it sautes for about 5 minutes. while still over the heat add the cilantro, garlic, scallions and raw cashews. saute for a minute longer then remove from heat.

follow the directions on the won ton package to wrap the packages neatly while you are heating the oil. i have never fry anything and don't have a thermometer. i had my heat too high for the first few so drop them in one at a time until you have the temp that makes them golden.

this is wicked good with some major grey's chutney - i used trader joe's mango ginger chutney...yum!