Won Ton Warrior Returns with Cherry Cheesecake Wontons

A fabulous dessert made with such ease can only come from our dear friend or at least Bizzy's dear friend, Wonton Warrior.  I love him too because I eat delicious food when he visits.  I also wish he would go away when I go on the scale.  It is a love-hate relationship.


When Wonton Warrior descends, our plans for meals change.  Here I am, having a family barbecue, tomorrow with people coming from a number of places and who is going to do the entertaining?  Wonton Warrior.


A definition of warrior is, " One who is engaged aggressively or energetically in an activity, cause, or conflict...." (www.thefreedictionary.com)  What is our dear friend engaged in --- yep, the use of wontons and only wontons.


This is the scenario when WW arrives.  He walks in the front door, points at Bizzy, dictating he should go to the store and buy several packages of wontons.  Bizzy is afraid of him and slithers out the back door, keeping his distance.  It is an intimidating moment but WW seems to like us so we smile and greet him but we don't dare offer any food.

When WW heard, we were having a large barbecue, he took over.  This is what he wanted to serve but there is a point when we have to say, "NO!" resoundingly.

WW Menu for a barbecue. 

1. no appetizer.  I agree.
2. Hot dogs in Wonton Buns
3. Hamburgers in Wonton Buns
4. Grilled Chicken Cutlets on Wonton Bread
6. Tossed salad with Wonton Crisps
7. Potato Salad with Wonton Curls
8. Cole Slaw with Wonton Strips
9. Red Pepper Wontons 
10. Dessert - Cherry Cheesecake Wontons and Chocolate Chip Wontons 
11. Won Ton Wizzies or is that Fizzies

Out of these, we allowed three to stay on the menu.  Can you guess which three these are?

Cherry Cheesecake Wontons - This came about because of a can of cherry pie filling which sat on the same shelf for one year.  Since, I attempt to cook fresh foods, canned goods (with a few exceptions) are not often used.  That may explain why the can sat for a year.

Ingredients: 


2 inches of oil to cook in - amount depends on size of saucepan
part of a can of cherry pie filling  (Amount depends on how many wontons you make)
1/2 cup cream cheese, whipped
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
20 wontons  (I used round ones)
small bowl of water (enough to dip a brush or your fingers in)


Method:

In a saucepan (not too wide) heat oil (I used Canola) until it starts to bubble.  The proper temperature is 350 degrees which worked well.

In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and cherry pie filling together.  Add the two extracts and mix those in to cherry mixture.


Lay out 4 - 6 wontons at a time.  

Using a teaspoon or a small cookie scoop, place a small scoop of the cherry cheese filling on the center of each wonton.  


With brush or finger, wet the outside of a wonton with filling and fold in half.  Seal it closed using the wet sides to help seal.  I use a fork and go around the outside after pressing it closed.  It is important, it stays sealed.

Do the same for each of the wontons with filling on top.


VERY CAREFULLY,  drop wontons in oil.  The size of the pan determines how many will fit.  I only put 3 in, at a time, so I can manage them.


After about 45 - 60 seconds, when wontons are golden, carefully remove from saucepan and drain on paper towels.  (My paper towels had almost no grease on them.)

Remove from paper towels and sprinkle powdered sugar on top of wontons.  Enjoy.

Recipe of the Week – Anything Goes     See Ya in the Gumbo     Seasonal Inspiration    Muffin Monday   Yummy  Inspirations Breakfast     My Meatless Monday  Mop it Up Mondays    Breakfast Ideas Monday   Mix it up Monday     Mealtime Monday Recipe Link  Melt in Your Mouth Mondays      Mangia Mondays      On the Menu Monday   
Sweet Tooth Fridays