A.K.A

Wonton skins

What is it?

These thin sheets of wheat-flour pasta have a versatility that belies their name. Traditionally used to wrap Chinese wontons and dumplings, wonton wrappers can also be used in place of fresh pasta to make shortcut ravioli, shaped into cups and baked to make a crunchy base for hors d’oeuvres, and fried up into a crispy garnish for soups and salads.

How to choose:

Wonton wrappers are available in most Asian grocery stores; you’ll usually have a choice between round and square wrappers.

How to prep:

While working with wonton wrappers, keep the stack of wrappers covered with a damp paper towel, and remove them one at a time, so that they don’t dry out.

serving suggestions:

Mushroom Pasta RagsBoil wonton wrappers until al dente, about 2 minutes, then drain. Sauté sliced mushrooms in butter until browned, add a squirt of fresh lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the boiled wrappers to warm through, then serve.

Feta and Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Wonton CupsCoat a mini-muffin tin with cooking spray. Line each cup with a wonton wrapper and spritz with more cooking spray. Bake at 400°F until the wrappers are lightly browned and crisp, about 6 minutes. Cool and fill with crumbled feta and chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil. Serve as an hors d’oeuvre.

Sweet Wonton ChipsPan-fry wrappers, a few at a time, in hot oil, turning once, until golden. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with sugar seasoned with cinnamon or Chinese five-spice powder. Serve with ice cream or alongside fresh fruit.

How to store:

Keep wonton wrappers well-wrapped in the refrigerator.

Recipes

• 
  Recipe

  Broccoli Rabe and Ricotta Ravioli

  Wonton wrappers make these great-tasting ravioli easy to assemble even for a weeknight dinner.

• 
  Recipe

  Wonton Soup

  Shredded romaine adds fresh flavor and a little crunch to this Chinese restaurant classic. Look for wonton wrappers in the produce section of the market. For ideas on using leftover…

• 
  Recipe

  Crisp-Toasted Almond Wonton Crisps

  Serve these simple wonton triangles by themselves, with tea, or with sliced fruit and/or ice cream or sorbet.

• 
  Recipe

  Scallop and Shrimp Shiu Mai Dumplings

  These tiny purse-shaped dumplings, which are a staple of Chinese dim sum, make the perfect party food, since they can be made in a big batch, frozen, and steamed just…

• 
  Recipe

  Asparagus Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce

  Wonton wrappers are a quick alternative to homemade pasta for ravioli. The rich brown butter, bright lemon zest, and crunchy almond garnish perfectly complement the creamy asparagus filling.

• 
  Recipe

  French Onion Soup Dumplings

  My food is meant for sharing. But how do you share French onion soup politely? In my version, you get everything that’s great about the classic—crispy bread, gooey cheese, and…

• 
  Recipe

  Spinach Salad with Chicken, Cashews, Ginger & Fried Wontons

  Instead of cooking chicken breasts, you can use leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken. You'll need 3-1/2 cups. When buying spinach, look for leaves that are uniformly green and crisp. Avoid…