Spicy Won Tons With Chile Oil Food

SPICY WON TONS WITH CHILE OIL

Steps:

• Make the chile oil: Snip any stems off the chiles and discard any exposed seeds. Heat a wok or large skillet over low. Add 1/2 teaspoon oil and the chiles and cook, stirring constantly, until the chiles are fragrant, toasted and slightly darkened, about 3 minutes. Transfer the chiles immediately to a large plate and let cool completely.
• Add the cooled chiles to a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped into small pieces. Transfer to a medium heatproof bowl. Add the remaining oil to the wok or skillet and heat over medium-high until shimmering and smoking, then immediately turn off the heat and let cool 3 minutes. Pour the warm oil over the chiles, stir to combine, then let cool 2 hours or up to overnight. (You'll have a generous 1/2 cup. Chile oil will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 2 months.)
• At least a couple hours before you plan to make the won tons, prepare the chile-oil sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients to combine (makes about 3/4 cup). Add more chile oil to taste. Set aside. (Chile-oil sauce is best prepared at least a few hours in advance, and will keep a few weeks refrigerated in a covered container.)
• Prepare the filling: Put all the ingredients except the chicken stock in a medium bowl and mix well. Add the stock 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring in a circular motion until incorporated before adding the next spoonful.
• Assemble the won tons: Fill a small bowl with water and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Working with one won-ton wrapper at a time, place 1 rounded teaspoon of pork filling in the center of the wrapper. Dip your finger in the water and run it around the edges of the wrapper. Lift and fold one corner over the filling toward the opposite corner over to form a triangle, gently pressing the air out as you seal the edges with your fingertip, then dab one of the lower corners with water and fold over to reach the other lower corner, forming a smaller triangle; pinch both corners to seal. Transfer to the parchment paper, and cover loosely with a damp kitchen towel or a sheet of plastic wrap to prevent drying out. Repeat until all the filling is used.
• Bring a large pot of water to the boil over high heat. Working in batches to avoid crowding, cook the won tons until they float to the surface, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon. Divide the won tons among bowls, drizzle with chile-oil sauce and garnish with scallions.

SICHUAN SPICY WONTON IN CHILI OIL (红油抄手)

Steps:

• Finely chop the scallions. Put the white part into a bowl (keep the green part for garnishing the dish later). Add the ginger. Pour in the water. Leave to infuse for 5 mins.
• In another bowl, mix the minced meat, egg, salt and white pepper until well combined.
• Remove the scallions and ginger then pour the water into the meat in batches while stirring in one direction until the liquid is fully absorbed.
• Lay a wonton wrapper on your hand. Dip the back of a spoon in water then use it to wet two neighbouring edges of the wrapper.
• Put the filling (about a teaspoon) in the middle. Fold the wrapper to form a triangle. Gently press to seal.
• Wet one of the sharp corners of the triangle. Put the other sharp corner over the wet corner. Press to stick two corners securely. Repeat to finish all the wrappers.
• Bring a large pot of water to a full boil. Gently slide in the wontons. Cook over high heat. Push them around with a spoon to prevent sticking to the bottom (You may cook all 40 wontons at once or in two batches depending on the size of your cookware. They need to be able to move around with ample space).
• Once all the wontons rise to the surface, cook for a further minute.
• While waiting for the wontons to cook, add all the ingredients for the sauce in each serving bowl.
• Use a slotted spoon to take out the wontons. Add them into serving bowls.
• Garnish with the green part of the scallions saved from step one. Mix well then serve immediately.
• Uncooked wontons freeze well. Lay them on a tray and keep in the freezer until fully frozen. Transfer to an airtight container/bag and put back to the freezer. Consume within 3 months.
• Follow the same procedure to cook frozen wontons. Defrosting is unnecessary and not recommended.

SPICY CHILI OIL

Steps:

• Place cooking oil, chilies, garlic cloves and gingerroot into an ovenproof glass bowl with lid.
• Bake in 300 oven for 1 hour until garlic cloves and gingerroot are golden brown.
• Remove to wire rack to cool for 30 minutes.
• Line strainer with coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth, strain oil into glass jar. Chill.
• Oil should be clear. Chill makes about 7/8 cups.