Veggie Wontons

I've been craving wontons ever since I made the Butternut Squash Wontons a while back. I thought I'd make some that were more traditional this time. These were very good but I actually prefer the butternut squash ones better, they were more flavorful. to give these a boost I added a little rice wine vinegar and brown sugar to the Sesame Dipping Sauce. They were a hit with my 6 year old as well as myself.

Veggie Wontons

1 pkg. wonton skins
1/2 head of cabbage
1 carrot
1 clove garlic
2 scallions
1/4 tsp. ginger
salt and pepper to taste

Process cabbage, carrots and garlic in food processor. Remove processed veggies to a bowl and add ginger, salt and pepper. Stir well. Fill wontons and fold according to package directions then flash freeze on a cookie sheet for at least 30 minutes. Fry in hot vegetable or canola oil until golden brown, turn and fry on second side until golden. Drain on paper towels before serving.

Beef and Broccoli

I have a copy of the Weight Watchers Complete Cookbook I bought some time ago and I've never made many recipes from it.  I really love this book because as I have read through it I see how healthy eating can help you lose weight.  I've never tried the weight watchers program but if I lose a few pounds from using their recipes, all the better!  This is one I modified from a recipe in the book, I added some extra vegetables because I had them leftover from the other night but normally I would use just broccoli.  This dish is very flavorful as well as good for you!

Beef and Broccoli

(adapted from Weight Watchers Complete Cookbook)

2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. toasted sesame oil

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

dash red pepper flakes

1 lb. beef for stir fry (sirloin steak strips work well)

1 tsp. corn starch

1 Tbsp. canola oil

4 c. frozen broccoli

3 scallions, sliced

sesame seeds for serving

Combine first 7 ingredients in a large Ziploc bag then add beef and shake well.  Place Ziploc bag in refrigerator for at least one hour. 

Drain marinade into a measuring cup and add enough water to make 1/3 cup of liquid.  Add corn starch and stir well.

Heat oil in a large non-tick skillet or wok over high heat.  Add canola oil and beef., stir fry until beef loses it's red color.  Remove beef to a plate.  Add broccoli to pan and stir fry 3 minutes.  Add back beef and pour in marinade.  Stir fry until sauce thickens.  Sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds and serve over brown rice.

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Tags: recipes, food, beef, asian, oriental, healthy, weight loss

Butternut Squash Wantons With Sesame Dipping Sauce

Before sharing my recipe with you I just wanted to remind you all that Sweetnicks is hosting ARF Tuesdays today. I didn't get a chance to prepare my recipe but the round up is always full of great looking recipes.

The recipe I have for today is a combination of a couple that I sounded really great and I felt I just had to try. Safeway.com had frozen butternut squash puree for 99 cents each last time so of course I had to buy some to make these. I love recipes that sound so gourmet but are so inexpensive to prepare. Frugal and gourmet is always good.



Butternut Squash Wantons With Sesame Dipping Sauce

1 package frozen butternut squash puree, thawed and drained of excess liquid (not sure of the size but it is a small square package like frozen spinach)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 scallions, minced
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 Tbsp honey
40 wonton wrappers -- thawed if frozen
oil for frying (I used canola oil)

1. Put squash, scallions, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, brown sugar, salt and ginger in a bowl and mix well. Stir together sesame seeds, 1/4 cup water, honey and remaining 1/2 cup soy sauce in a bowl; set sauce aside.

2. Place 1 scant tablespoon filling in the center of each wrapper; brush edges with water. Bring up corners to make a triangle; press to seal (or follow instructions for folding on wanton package). Place on a baking sheet; freeze until firm, 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add 10 wontons, and cook until golden brown, turn over then fry until golden on other side as well. Transfer to a serving dish; cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining oil and wontons. Serve with dipping sauce.

Restaurant Style Teriyaki Sauce

The other night I finally made the Chicken Katsu my daughter has been asking for. It turned out really well, although a couple of the pieces were still pink inside. I found a quick solution. I wrapped each piece in paper towels and microwaved for 2 minutes each. The breading was still perfectly crunchy and the middles were done to perfection. Today I found a new method for cooking the chicken. I think I will try it next time. Dawna from Always In The Kitchen bakes hers and it sounds so much easier and less greasy. Can't wait to give it a try!

I have really been searching for a new recipe for teriyaki sauce. The one I have been using is ok, but I was looking for that thick, rich mouthwatering sauce you find in restaurants. Here is the recipe I came up with based on one I found on Recipezaar.com. It is perfect and went great with our meal.

Restaurant Style Teriyaki Sauce

1/4 c. soy sauce
1 c. water
1 tbsp. orange juice
2 Tbsp pineapple juice
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp garlic powder
5 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp corn starch
1/4 c. cold water
dash of pepper squeeze of lime juice

Mix everything except the corn starch and 1/4 c. cold water in a sauce pan. Begin to heat, meanwhile dissolve the corn starch into the cold water. Slowly drizzle the corn starch mixture into the heating ingredients while whisking constantly. continue to whisk while heating to a boil until desired thickness is reached.

Gotta Love Safeway :)

I must sound like a giddy child, LOL! I am still so excited about having our groceries delivered. I did really great this time! All food, paper goods, toiletries, diapers and cleaning supplies for $230. Food was $150 of that and I won't shop again for 2 more weeks.

Tonight I made a beef stir fry for dinner. My 5 yo loves vegetables (praise God!). I made the sauce myself, it was really good.

Stir Fry Teriyaki Sauce

1/4 c. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. corn starch
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp rice wine vinegar
dash black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Stir fry lean beef or chicken strips in small amount of oil. Add frozen Japanese Mixture vegetables. Pour in sauce and cover a few moments to allow vegetables to steam. Serve over rice.