Ingredients
Curry Spice Blend:
1 tsp. black peppercorns
4 cloves
1 tsp. coriander seeds
1 tsp. cumin seeds
1 tsp. fennel seeds
½ tsp. fenugreek seeds
1tsp. paprika
1tsp. turmeric
½ tsp. salt
2T olive oil
1 medium onion, medium diced
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 pound ground beef
1 cup frozen peas
1 package Wonton wrapper
Vegetable oil
Mustard Sauce:
½ cup mayonnaise (store bought or homemade)
½ cup Greek plain yogurt
4T mustard
1T Tabasco
Ground black pepper
1. In a small sauté pan over low heat, add the black peppercorns, cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel, and fenugreek seeds. Toast until fragrant. In a spice grinder, grind the toasted spices. Add the paprika, turmeric, and salt. Grind until blended. Set aside.
2. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil; sauté the onion until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, ground beef, and 3 tablespoons of curry spice blend. Stir until combined. Continue cooking until the meat is completely cooked, about 8-10 minutes more.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the frozen peas. Season with salt and pepper and allow to cool completely.
4. Once the mixture is cooled, place in food processor and blend until smooth.
5. Take a wonton wrapper and place a teaspoon of the curry beef filling in the middle of the wonton. Lightly brush the edge of the wrapper with water, and then fold the wrapper over the filling to make a triangle.
6. Lightly brush the pointed ends with a little water and fold them toward the middle, making a little bishop’s hat. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining wontons. Don’t allow the wontons to touch each other.
7. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, Tabasco, and 4-5 grinds of black pepper. Taste the sauce, adding more Tabasco, pepper, and a little salt if needed, making it as spicy as you like. Set aside.
8. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add enough vegetable oil to have a ½ inch in the bottom of pan. Once the oil is hot, add several wontons. Do not overcrowd the pan.
9. Fry the wontons, turning once or twice until crispy brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes. Place on a paper towel-lined plate. Let drain and slightly cool. Repeat with remaining wontons.
10. Transfer the wontons on a platter and serve with spicy mustard sauce.
Homemade Mayonnaise
3 egg yolks
2tsp. mustard
1T vinegar
1 tsp. salt & pepper
1½-cup oil
1. In a medium size bowl, food processor, or blender, combine the egg yolks, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Whisk until combined. Slowly, in a steady stream, add the oil. Whisk until the mixture becomes emulsified.
TIPS & TRICKS
• Please take the time and try to make your own curry spice blend. It is far superior to anything you will buy on the shelf.
• I purchase all my individual spices at a Middle Eastern market. They sell them in bulk and are very inexpensive. I save spice jars from other spices and blend a double or triple batch to have on hand.
• I use a coffee grinder as a spice grinder. But once you grind the spices, you can’t go back to grinding coffee!! ☺
• Make sure the wontons do not touch each other or they will stick together. You can prepare these 3 days in advance. Just make sure to cover well.
• They also freeze beautifully. Place the trays of wontons in freezer and allow them to become frozen. Then transfer into a container or plastic bag. When ready to use, heat the oil and place the frozen wontons directly in the oil. Only fry a few at a time since the frozen wontons will lower the heat of the oil and will otherwise become oily.
• Spicy mustard sauce can be made 3 days in advance and is great as a dip for veggies, or a spread on sandwiches. I like to use Tabasco because it adds a nice vinegary kick to the sauce, but you can substitute other hot sauces.