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–+ servings

Pear Walnut Wontons

ACTIVE TIME: 50 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: 25 to 30 wontons

Software

  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean, scraped
  • 1 tablespoon orange liqueur
  • 6 ounces dried pears, roughly chopped
  • 1 1/4 ounces walnuts, toasted and finely chopped
  • 25 to 30 wonton wrappers
  • Bowl of water, for sealing wontons
  • 1/2 gallon vegetable or peanut oil, for frying

Specialized Hardware

  • Food processor
  • 6-quart Dutch oven
  • Candy/fry thermometer

Procedure

  • In a small saucepan set over medium heat, bring water and sugar to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla bean scrapings and orange liqueur. Set aside.
  • Place pears in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely chopped, stopping to scrape down the bowl if necessary. Add the sugar syrup and pulse just until combined. Transfer the pears to a bowl and stir in the walnuts. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to cool completely, approximately 1 hour. The filling may be made up to 1 day ahead of time.
  • Heat oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven to 360ºF.
  • To form the dumplings, remove 1 wonton wrapper from the package, covering the others with a damp cloth. Brush the edges of the wrapper lightly with water. Place 1 teaspoon of the pear mixture in the center of the wrapper. Fold over the edges, seal, and shape as desired. Set on a half-sheet pan and cover with a damp cloth. Repeat procedure until all of the filling is gone.
  • Gently place the wontons in the oil, 7 to 8 at a time. Fry until golden, approximately 2 minutes. Remove to a wire rack set in a paper towel-lined half-sheet pan and let cool at least 5 minutes before serving.