Cha Pao Tsu are delightful, bite-sized Chinese appetizers that offer a satisfying crunch and rich, savory flavor in every bite. These little pouches are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rehydrated dried Chinese mushrooms, and aromatic seasonings, then sealed in delicate wonton wrappers. Deep-fried until golden brown and crisp, they provide a wonderful textural contrast to the tender filling inside. They are traditionally served hot alongside a tangy, sweet plum sauce that cuts through the richness of the fried dough. Perfect for cocktail parties, dinner parties, or as an elegant starter before a larger meal, these savory bites are always a crowd-pleaser. While they require a bit of assembly time, the result is a restaurant-quality dish that feels special yet manageable to make at home.
Cha Pao Tsu B1
Description
Cha Pao Tsu are delightful, bite-sized Chinese appetizers that offer a satisfying crunch and rich, savory flavor in every bite. These little pouches are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rehydrated dried Chinese mushrooms, and aromatic seasonings, then sealed in delicate wonton wrappers. Deep-fried until golden brown and crisp, they provide a wonderful textural contrast to the tender filling inside. They are traditionally served hot alongside a tangy, sweet plum sauce that cuts through the richness of the fried dough. Perfect for cocktail parties, dinner parties, or as an elegant starter before a larger meal, these savory bites are always a crowd-pleaser. While they require a bit of assembly time, the result is a restaurant-quality dish that feels special yet manageable to make at home.Ingredients
Directions
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Rehydrate the dried Chinese mushrooms in hot water for 20 minutes. Drain, discard the tough stems, and finely mince the caps.
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In a mixing bowl, combine the minced mushrooms, ground chuck, minced water chestnuts, scallions, soy sauce, dry sherry, salt, sugar, and sesame seed oil.
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Dissolve the cornstarch in cold water and add it to the meat mixture. Mix thoroughly until well combined and sticky.
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Keep the wonton wrappers covered with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out while assembling.
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Place about 1 teaspoon of the filling into the center of each wonton wrapper.
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Fold the wrapper edges together to form a small pouch, pinching the top gently to seal tightly and prevent leaking during frying.
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Heat oil to 375&# 194;°F (191ðC) in a wok or deep-fryer.
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Carefully lower the sealed pouches into the hot oil in batches. Fry over high heat until golden brown and crisp, turning occasionally for even cooking.
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Remove the fried pouches with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
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Serve immediately hot, accompanied by the plum sauce for dipping.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 141.7kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 7.6g12%
- Saturated Fat 2.0g10%
- Cholesterol 45.4mg16%
- Sodium 40.3mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 4.9g2%
- Dietary Fiber 0.9g4%
- Sugars 4.0g
- Protein 13.7g28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
