Fried Cheese Wontons

What's that?
The only thing better than cheese is fried cheese?

I know.

I believe in healthy, make your bowels run regularly food, but I also believe that any food you make has to be GOOD food. If you want to have a healthy relationship with food, and your kids to have that as well, I do believe you just have to eat good food. And fried food has its place.

I do not want to raise a daughter that has to scrutinize the fat content on her nutrition labels (although checking for organic and non-chemical ingredients if okay) or blot her pizza with a napkin before she eats it. I do not want a daughter that thinks she has to fit into size 2 jeans and wonders whether her arms have too much muscle to look feminine.

I want a daughter who thinks McD's food is disgusting but doesn't hesitate when a plate of fried cheese wontons are passed her way. And that same daughter is going to think that kale salad is gorgeous and mushrooms belong in her dinner. And she'll also believe that the best cookies are ones made in her oven.

Real food is real good.

My brother and I used to fight over these. My mom only made them if she ran out of filling for gyozas but still had more skins left. These were the first gone at the dinner table (even though I love gyozas).

Fried Cheese Wontons

1 package of wontons, gyoza skins, or mandoo wrappers (usually about 25-40 skins, depending)
1 8 oz block of sharp cheddar
water as needed
canola or vegetable oil

Cut the cheddar into 1/2 inch square pieces.

Wrap each piece in a gyoza skin as shown. Keep some water in a small bowl and run a wet finger around the outside edge of the skin to make the edges stick when you wrap it. Put a little water on the final edges as you wrap it around to really seal it.

Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a pan (amount of oil depends on the pan-- if you are making less than 10, use a very small fry pan) over high heat. Not the highest setting, but close.

Once the oil feels very hot, place the wontons in the oil and fry until golden. Flip once (about 2 minutes each side). The trick is to fry it hot enough that the wonton fries up quickly but doesn't let all the cheese melt out. The cheese will melt out if you leave it in the oil for too long.

P.S. These are just as good with a leaf of spinach around the cheese, or even cream cheese. I have a plan to make some with apple and cream cheese.