Savory Herb and Ricotta Wontons with Fiery Tomato Basil Sauce
Delight your taste buds with these irresistible Savory Herb and Ricotta Wontons, beautifully baked to a golden brown perfection and paired with a robust and spicy Tomato Basil Sauce. The creamy, herb-infused ricotta filling is wrapped in delicate wonton skins and offers a delightful surprise with every bite. This recipe features a spicy kick from habanero peppers, balanced with the sweetness of fresh herbs and citrus notes. Perfect as an appetizer or a main dish, these wontons can be made ahead of time and frozen for a quick and elegant meal that is sure to impress your guests. Just remember to wear gloves when handling the habanero peppers! Swap the fiery peppers for milder options like jalapeños or poblanos to make them more family-friendly.
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup (drained)
blanched almonds, toasted
1/4 cup (ground)
all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon (for blending with almonds)
fresh mint, chopped
1/2 cup (fresh)
grated fresh parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons (fresh)
fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons (chopped)
fresh chives, finely chopped
2 tablespoons (finely chopped)
grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon (fresh)
fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
large egg white
1 (for filling)
garlic clove, chopped
1 (fresh)
wonton wrappers
30 (fresh)
cooking spray
to coat (for baking)
large egg white
1 (lightly beaten for brushing)
whole tomatoes, drained
28 ounces (canned)
olive oil
1 teaspoon (for sautéing)
chopped onion
2/3 cup (fresh)
finely grated orange rind
2 teaspoons (fresh)
sugar
1 teaspoon (to taste)
habanero pepper, finely chopped
1 (wear gloves while handling)
chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons (fresh)
Instructions
1
To prepare the wontons, place a colander over a medium bowl and line it with two layers of cheesecloth, allowing the edges to hang over the sides.
2
Spoon the ricotta cheese into the cheesecloth, then gather and tie the cloth tightly. Refrigerate for 1 hour to drain excess liquid.
3
After an hour, gently squeeze the cheesecloth bag to remove any remaining liquid and discard the liquid.
4
Transfer the drained ricotta to a food processor. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
5
In a spice grinder, combine the blanched almonds and flour. Process until finely ground. Reserve 3 tablespoons of this almond mixture and add the remaining mixture to the food processor along with fresh mint, Parmesan cheese, parsley, chives, lemon rind, sea salt, black pepper, egg white, and garlic.
6
Blend the mixture until it's smooth and well combined. Set aside.
7
To assemble the wontons, take one wrapper at a time and cover the others with a damp towel to prevent drying. Place about 2 teaspoons of the ricotta filling in the center of each wrapper.
8
Moisten the edges with water, fold the wrapper over to form a triangle, and press the edges tightly to seal. Repeat this process for the remaining wrappers and filling.
9
Arrange the filled wontons on two parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush the tops with the lightly beaten egg white and sprinkle with the reserved almond mixture.
10
Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops are lightly browned. Let the wontons cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.
11
While the wontons bake, prepare the spicy tomato sauce. In a food processor, pulse the whole tomatoes until finely chopped.
12
In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and add the chopped onion. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
13
Add the orange rind, sugar, and finely chopped habanero pepper, and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
14
Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the processed tomatoes and fresh basil. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
15
Serve the fresh, warm wontons with the spicy tomato sauce for dipping, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
11
Fat
15
Carbs
6
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Herb and Ricotta Wontons?
They are oven-baked wontons filled with a herb-infused ricotta mixture and served with a spicy tomato basil sauce.
How do I prepare the ricotta cheese for the filling?
Place the ricotta in a cheesecloth-lined colander, tie it tightly, and refrigerate for 1 hour to drain excess liquid before squeezing out any remaining moisture.
What temperature should I bake the wontons at?
The wontons should be baked in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the wontons need to bake?
Bake the wontons for 15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned.
What herbs are used in the ricotta filling?
The filling uses a combination of fresh mint, fresh flat-leaf parsley, and fresh chives.
How much filling goes into each wonton wrapper?
You should place about 2 teaspoons of the ricotta filling in the center of each wrapper.
How do I seal the wonton wrappers?
Moisten the edges with water, fold the wrapper over to form a triangle, and press the edges tightly to seal.
How do I prevent wonton wrappers from drying out during assembly?
Cover the wrappers with a damp towel while you are working on individual wontons.
Can I freeze these wontons?
Yes, these wontons are freezer-friendly and can be made ahead of time for a quick meal.
What makes the tomato sauce spicy?
The sauce gets its heat from a finely chopped habanero pepper.
Should I wear gloves when making the sauce?
Yes, it is highly recommended to wear gloves when handling and chopping habanero peppers to avoid skin irritation.
How can I make this recipe more family-friendly or less spicy?
You can swap the habanero pepper for milder options like jalapeños or poblano peppers.
What type of tomatoes should I use for the sauce?
Use 28 ounces of canned whole tomatoes, drained before processing.
What is sprinkled on top of the wontons before baking?
The tops are brushed with egg white and sprinkled with a reserved mixture of ground toasted almonds and flour.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 200 calories per serving.
How much protein is in this recipe?
Each serving provides 6 grams of protein.
What is the fat content of this dish?
The dish contains 11 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are per serving?
There are 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What kind of citrus is used in the sauce?
The sauce includes finely grated orange rind for a citrusy note.
What kind of citrus is used in the wonton filling?
The filling uses grated lemon rind.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian.
How long should the sauce simmer?
Allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 minutes after adding the tomatoes and basil.
How long should the wontons cool after baking?
Let the wontons cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.
What type of almonds are required?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of toasted, blanched almonds.
How many wonton wrappers are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 30 wonton wrappers.
What kind of cheese is added to the ricotta mix?
Grated fresh Parmesan cheese is added to the filling.
What oil is used for sautéing the sauce ingredients?
One teaspoon of olive oil is used to sauté the onion.
Is sugar used in the sauce?
Yes, one teaspoon of sugar is included in the sauce recipe.
How are the tomatoes prepared for the sauce?
The whole tomatoes should be pulsed in a food processor until they are finely chopped.
What is the best way to grind the almonds?
Combine the toasted blanched almonds with the flour in a spice grinder and process until finely ground.