{"id":6937,"date":"2025-04-02T06:57:17","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T19:57:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dinnertimesomewhere.com\/?p=6937"},"modified":"2025-04-02T07:19:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T20:19:54","slug":"shrimp-and-pork-wontons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dinnertimesomewhere.com\/index.php\/appetizers-and-snacks-recipes\/meat-appetizers\/shrimp-and-pork-wontons\/","title":{"rendered":"Shrimp and Pork Wontons with Chili Shrimp Oil"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This recipe is the best way to prepare Wontons. The combination of Shrimp and Pork Wontons produces the absolute best flavor possible in these little morsels of deliciousness. What separates this dish from the countless other Dumpling and Wonton recipes out there is the unbelievably amazing Shrimp Oil that is used as a dipping sauce. The Oil is flavored with the delicate and beautiful flavor of shrimp, and perhaps the only thing as good as its taste is how amazing it smells. If you want to impress in the kitchen and get a little bit creative, this dish is definitely one to try out

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Jump to Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to make the Chili Shrimp Oil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you\u2019ll need to prepare for this recipe is the Shrimp Oil. It can be made well in advance, and we found after 2 \u2013 3 days in the refrigerator it was still perfect to enjoy. Which is good news, because while Wontons are generally easy to make, they are a little bit labor intensive as you need to roll every individual Wonton by hand. Best to prepare the Shrimp Oil in advance so when it\u2019s \u2018go-time\u2019 to eat all you need to do is make the Wontons

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The Shrimp Oil is very easy to make. The process involves infusing Olive Oil with Shrimp (care of the Shrimp shells) along with some beautiful aromatics including Szechuan Peppercorns, Fennel Seeds, Garlic, and Chili

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\"Shrimp
What separates this Shrimp and Pork Wonton recipe from the others is this amazing Chili Shrimp Oil, which can be made in just 15 minutes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve peeled and deveined the Shrimp, (Video here on how to do that!<\/a>) place the shells (excluding the heads) into a pot filled with Olive Oil and the aromatics. Set it over a low heat for about 15 minutes, ensuring the Oil doesn\u2019t get too hot, so avoid any bubbles

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After 15 minutes the Oil will be done. An amazing combination of flavors fill the Oil, with the prominent taste and aroma being that of Shrimp. You can set the Oil aside to cool and even refrigerate it for a few days before making the Wontons. You can also pour a little bit into a bowl and mix in some Chinese Vinegar for a lovely dipping sauce

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Making the filling for the delicious Shrimp and Pork Wontons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The three core ingredients that make up the filling are Shrimp, Pork, and Cabbage. The third ingredient may seem like one you could skip, but trust us, you can\u2019t! Adding Cabbage to Wontons and Dumplings is a critical step, and adds much needed volume and texture that rounds out the filling

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In addition to these three ingredients, we use a combination of finely diced Ginger, Garlic, and Scallions. All very traditional Chinese flavors that bring a beautiful mix of flavors and fragrances to the dish. Once you\u2019ve prepared all your ingredients, throw them into a bowl and then move your attention to the Cabbage

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Everything must be finely diced before it\u2019s combined in a stand mixer. Finely dicing the ingredients will help to form a paste-like filling texture. This is important as not only does it make it easier to stuff the wontons, but you can get a lot more filling into them when the texture is smooth and paste-like

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Once blended, the filling for your Wontons will be a smooth paste-like consistency like this<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Surprisingly the Cabbage requires a bit more effort than the other ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cabbage is loaded with Water, so simply dicing up the Cabbage and adding it to the mix of filling ingredients won\u2019t work. You\u2019ll end up with a watery filling that will cause the Wontons to break apart as they\u2019re cooking. So, we need to remove as much water as possible from the Cabbage

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Once finely diced, place the Cabbage in a bowl and season it well with Salt. Salt removes moisture from ingredients, with Cabbage being no exception. Mix the Salt into the Cabbage then leave it for a few minutes then transfer the Cabbage into a Cheesecloth or some paper towels

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Hold the wrapped Cabbage over a bowl and gently squeeze it to remove the moisture. The water will seep through the Cheesecloth \/ Paper Towels and into the bowl. Do this until you\u2019ve removed as much moisture as possible. Retain about 1 tbsp. of Cabbage Water, as this will be used to add a little bit of moisture (and seasoning) to the Wonton filling. Once your Cabbage is prepared, simply combine it with your Shrimp, Pork, Garlic, Ginger, Scallions, and Corn Starch in the Stand Mixer and mix until a smooth paste forms

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The delicious filling for these Wontons consists of Shrimp, Pork, Garlic, Scallions, Ginger, and Cabbage which holds it all together<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to perfectly cook Shrimp and Pork Wontons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need any fancy purpose-built steamers at home to make perfect Dumpling and Wontons at home. All you need is a frying pan with a lid. That\u2019s it! By adding a little bit of water to the pan and covering it with a lid you will create your own steamer that cooks the Wontons perfectly

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Before we steam the Wontons, however, I like to give them a nice pan-fry on one side. This is the authentic method when preparing Dumplings and Wontons as it adds a nice crispy texture to one side of the Wontons before they are steamed

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Simply pan fry them in the same frying pan with a little Oil until golden-brown (about 2 minutes over medium heat should do it). Once golden-brown, leave them in the same spot and add about \u00bc cup of Water. Cover, and steam for 4 minutes and your Shrimp and Pork Wontons will be cooked and ready to serve with that wonderful Shrimp Oil

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You can also use classic Dumpling Wrappers instead of Wonton wrappers for this recipe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that nothing else will change in this recipe if you are using Dumpling Wrappers. Sometimes it\u2019s a little difficult to find the right wrappers in the grocery store, especially if you don\u2019t have local access to a specialty Asian store. If so, you may just find that the only wrappers available are Dumpling Wrappers. Well, that\u2019s totally ok \u2013 use them and follow the recipe exactly as outlined below and it will turn out fine

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These delicious Shrimp and Pork Wontons can also be made using Dumpling wrappers. The result will be just as good<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Dumpling Wrappers have a slightly different texture to Wontons. They\u2019re a little thicker than Wontons, so you\u2019ll have a slightly doughier taste to them. When using Wontons Wrappers, the flavor and texture is minimal so all you\u2019re getting is that pure flavor of the amazing filling. Dumplings offer up a different eating experience, but equally as enjoyable

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Hey, if you really want to be creative why not try a combination of Wonton and Dumplings when preparing this dish? You can try both and see which you prefer

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