Shrimp Won Tons                     
Posted by: Tuddles  Sun, 21 Mar 2004, at 7:26 a.m.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus vegetable oil for shallow frying
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
1/2 pound raw shrimp, shelled and finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped water chestnuts
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon chili oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
12 won ton wrappers
Soy sauce, accompaniment
Hot mustard, accompaniment

Directions:
Place a wok over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and when hot, add the ginger and green onions, and stir-fry until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the shrimp and water chestnuts and cook for 1 minute. Add the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil and chili oil and stir to combine. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water and add to the shrimp mixture, stirring. (The mixture should thicken immediately.)

Transfer to a bowl or plate and let cool before assembling the won tons. Keeping the won ton wrappers covered with a damp kitchen towel, place 1 won ton wrapper at a time on a work surface with 1 point toward you. Spoon a rounded tablespoonful of filling in the center, just above the point. Fold the corner over the filling and roll to tuck the point under. (The won ton should look like a triangle). Pinch the wrapper around the filling to completely enclose, pushing gently to expel any air bubbles.

Using both hands, pull the 2 side corners toward you below the filling. Overlap the corners slightly, moisten with a dab of water, and pinch to seal. Place the filled won tons on a baking sheet and cover with a damp cloth while preparing the remaining won tons. (If desired won tons can be frozen on a baking sheet and once frozen, kept in a ziplock bag for up to
2 months.) Fill a large pot or electric fryer halfway with vegetable oil and heat to 375 degrees F. Add the won tons in batches and fry until golden on both sides, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with soy sauce and/or Chinese hot mustard.

Yield: 12 wontons, about 4 appetizer