HOW TO FOLD SQUARE WONTONS

Wontons can be folded in a variety of shapes. The best way to fold wontons will depend on how they are going to be cooked, and the way they will be presented. Wontons served in soup should be folded as simply as possible. Wontons that will be steamed can be folded into simple designs, Fried wontons are the most versatile.
No matter how wontons will be cooked, they must be folded so the filling is sealed in the skin. If they are not properly sealed, the filling will leak out into the water or oil leaving you with empty wontons and a big mess. Traditionally, egg yolk is used to moisten the edges of wonton skins and seal them together.

1. Triangle
The most basic fold is a simple triangle. It is made by moistening two adjacent sides of the skin. Fold the skin in half, corner to corner, making a triangle. Seal. Several other shapes use the triangle as a base.

2. Crown
From a triangle, wontons can be folded into the crown shape often seen in restaurants. Simply moisten the tip of one corner of the folded edge and fold it towards the center of the triangle. Bring the other corner in to meet it, and press them together.

3. Three-point crown
This shape is also based on the triangle. Moisten a point about halfway up one sealed edge. Moisten the back of the same edge slightly lower than the spot on the front. Make an accordion fold in the edge and press to seal the fold. Repeat on the other sealed edge. This should make a wonton that has three points sticking up.

4. Flower
Moisten about two-thirds of two adjacent edges of an unfolded wonton skin, skipping the tips. Fold the skin in half, but adjust the tips so they are off center from each other. Moisten the inside edges, if needed, to cover any holes. The wonton should have six points in a rough fan shape.

5. Mini egg roll
To make your wonton look like a mini egg roll, begin by turning the skin so it resembles a diamond. Place the filling in a rough cylinder about two-thirds of the way to the tip nearest you. Fold that tip over the filling, allowing it to overlap onto the inside surface of the skin a little. Pull the corner and filling to you to tighten the roll. Fold the sides in, trying to keep them tight and even. Moisten the remaining inside edges. Roll the filling and folded edges towards the remaining tip, keeping the shape firm and even. Press the whole shape with your hands to seal. Allow it to rest on the outside sealed edge while making the rest of the wontons

The last three shapes described here are best suited for frying. They are more delicate than the other shapes, and may not stand up well to deep fryers. Instead, pan-fry them in oil deep enough to cover all but the very top of the wontons. Spoon hot oil over them to cook the tops.

6. Envelope
This fold is a bit harder to execute, and takes a little practice. Fold one tip of an unfolded skin over the filling in the center. This will be the bottom of the envelope. Moisten the adjacent edges of the side points. Fold them in, and press the moist edges onto the bottom of the envelope. The wonton should look like an open envelope. Moisten both edges of the top flap. Fold it down to overlap the sides and press to seal.

7. Purse
To make beautiful purses, draw a rough circle around the filling in the center of a wonton skin with a generous amount of yolk or water. Bring all the edges up, like a sack. Twist the edges gently, and press very firmly to seal.

8. Candy wrapper
To begin, place the wonton skin so that it is squared off to you. Place the filling in a rough cylinder about two-thirds of the way towards the bottom edge of the skin. Moisten a line along each side of the skin, about a half-inch from the edge. Fold the bottom edge of the skin over the filling, and pull it towards you lightly to tighten. Use your hands to make the roll even. Moisten the top edge of the skin. Roll the wonton into a cylinder, sealing along the top edge. Pinch each end of the cylinder at about the moistened line on the inside. Twist the ends gently, and press firmly to seal.