Homemade Wonton Soup

### Instructions

#### Step 1: Prepare the Wonton Filling
1. **Make the filling**: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped green onions, grated ginger, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. If you’re using cabbage, chop it finely and squeeze out any excess moisture before adding it to the mixture. Mix everything together until well combined. The filling should be slightly sticky and fragrant.

2. **Assemble the wontons**: Lay out your wonton wrappers on a clean, dry surface. Place a teaspoon of the filling in the center of each wrapper. Be careful not to overstuff, as too much filling can cause the wrappers to tear.

3. **Seal the wontons**: To form the wontons, dip your finger in water and moisten the edges of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper in half to create a triangle shape, pressing out any air. Then, bring the two outer corners of the triangle together, pinching them tightly to seal the wonton into a small pouch. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling. If you’re new to folding wontons, don’t worry—practice makes perfect, and you can also make them into simple “purses” or “bow ties” by folding the edges together.

#### Step 2: Make the Broth
4. **Prepare the broth**: In a large pot, add the chicken or vegetable broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar (if using), ginger, garlic, and dried mushrooms (if using). Bring the broth to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the broth simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. If you’re using fresh mushrooms, add them during the last 5 minutes of simmering for an extra layer of flavor.

5. **Season the broth**: After the broth has simmered, taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you like a saltier flavor, add a little more soy sauce. You can also adjust the heat by adding a dash of white pepper or even a touch of chili oil.

#### Step 3: Cook the Wontons
6. **Cook the wontons**: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Gently add the wontons to the water in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Once the wontons float to the surface (after about 3-4 minutes), let them cook for another 2-3 minutes to ensure they are fully cooked through. You may need to stir gently at first to keep them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

7. **Transfer the wontons**: Once the wontons are cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the boiling water and transfer them to the simmering broth. Repeat the process until all the wontons are cooked.

#### Step 4: Assemble the Soup
8. **Serve the soup**: Once all the wontons are in the broth, stir gently to combine. Ladle the soup into bowls, making sure each bowl gets a good number of wontons. Garnish with sliced green onions and fresh cilantro, if desired. For an added touch, drizzle a little extra sesame oil on top or add a few drops of chili oil for a hint of heat.

### Tips for Perfect Homemade Wonton Soup

– **Don’t overstuff the wontons**: When filling the wonton wrappers, be sure to use only a small amount of filling. Overstuffing can cause the wontons to burst during cooking.
– **Make the broth ahead of time**: You can prepare the broth in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This can save time on the day you plan to serve the soup.
– **Freezing wontons**: If you have extra wontons, you can freeze them before cooking. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. You can cook frozen wontons directly in boiling water—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
– **Customize the filling**: While ground pork is traditional, you can experiment with other proteins like shrimp, chicken, or beef. For a vegetarian version, try a filling made from mushrooms, tofu, and cabbage.

### Why You’ll Love Homemade Wonton Soup

**Homemade Wonton Soup** is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for almost any occasion. The combination of tender, juicy wontons filled with savory meat and a warm, aromatic broth is an unbeatable duo. Plus, making the soup at home allows you to customize it to your exact preferences, whether that means tweaking the broth’s seasoning or experimenting with different filling ingredients.

This soup is perfect for a chilly day when you’re craving something comforting or for a weeknight meal that’s both easy and satisfying. Making wontons from scratch is fun, and once you taste the fresh, vibrant flavors of this homemade version, you’ll be hooked. Whether you’re enjoying it on your own or sharing it with friends and family, **Homemade Wonton Soup** is sure to warm your heart and fill your belly with goodness.