Better than takeout Wonton Soup

Okay.. If you haven’t already guessed it from the previous recipes, I love comfort food! I love food that reminds me of home, a good hug or your grandma. I also love, food delivery! Even cooking for my family daily, in a pandemic, and starting a food blog, my Uber Eats budget is something to be ashamed of. This recipe technically may not even be considered “cooking” it’s a flavorful hack! A quickie! Keep reading or just scroll to the ingredients list.

Can you spend hours creating your own stock? YES!

Can you also go to the grocery store and buy a jar of really good, high quality stock? HELL YES!!

Can you prepare a filling and wrap each wonton wrapper perfectly? YES!

Can you also pick up a bag of TJ’s already frozen heat & serve dumpling of choice? HELL YES!!

I’ve done it both ways and both come out delicious every time. One way is just more of a project than the other so whatever you have time for, Do That!

Ingredients:

6 cups high quality stock

1/2 cup mirin

1/4 cup fish sauce

2 TBSP soy sauce

1 bouillon cube

2 tsp gochujang (Korean chili paste) — red pepper flakes are fine

2 tsp freshly grated ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Zest of 2 limes, juice of 1

4 garlic cloves, whole

Handful green onions & italian parsley

Bok choy (for serving)

24-48 dumplings of choice

Step 1:

This flavorful broth is a base! If using homemade stock this process can take 6-8 hours. If using ready made stock, add the other ingredients and let this simmer for at least 1-2 hours.

Taste your soup base after two hours and adjust seasonings as needed. You want to give your broth time to develop flavor

Step 2:

Strain your aromatics and garlic from the base.

Fresh dumplings -

Make sure they are fully sealed prior to adding them to the broth.

Sear them the way you would potstickers for more texture.

Add the hot liquid to a bowl and place bok choy and dumplings to the same bowl, to ensure they aren’t overcooked.

Frozen dumplings -

10mins before service, add dumplings to the simmering soup base.

Ladle dumplings, bok choy and soup base into a bowl.

My crew is a fan of Thai food so I added a splash of extra lime right before service. The man added a bit of Siracha and pepper flakes for more kick. You could add noodles and a soft boiled egg to make ramen, add pieces of shredded chicken for an Asian twist to chicken soup. Make it all vegetarian, add short ribs or pork belly to the mix! Honestly guys, get creative, you will love it.