Wonton Brusetta Stacks

As you may know from my Sweet-Pepper Balsamic Sandwiches, I think that a mix of tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar is one of the best flavor combinations around, thus I am a huge fan of brusetta. This recipe brings together a basic brusetta mixture with the tart flavor of goat cheese and the soft-crispiness of fried wontons. Now I realize that soft and crispy are different, but if you have ever had a fried wonton, you know that while they are crispy, they are also tender.

This is a great appetizer to serve guests and can be served in stacks as pictured below, or you could place all the components on a plate and let each guest make their own stack. Whichever way you choose, this is sure to be a favorite.

Wonton Brusetta Stacks
Recipe by Caroline
Pictures by Caroline
Serves 4

12 wontons
4 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/3 cup red onion, diced
¼ cup fresh basil, plus more for garnish
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
½ cup (or more) olive oil (for frying wontons)
4oz goat cheese
Salt
Pepper

1. Heat olive oil in a small to medium sized pan until it is hot, but not boiling. Use enough oil so that there is about ½ inch in the bottom of your pan. Once the oil is hot, fry wontons for a few seconds on each side until they are golden brown (careful, they burn fast). Set aside on paper towels to absorb extra oil.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet. Add onions and sauté until they are soft and fragrant. Add diced tomatoes, basil, vinegar, and a dash of salt and pepper; sauté for 20 seconds stirring constantly- you don’t want to cook the tomatoes just heat them through letting all the flavors combine. Remove from heat.
3. Slice goat cheese into ¼ inch to ½ inch slices. To assemble place one piece of goat cheese on a plate, then place a wonton on top and another piece of goat cheese, continue to layer until it is 3 or 4 wontons high. Top the wonton-goat cheese stack with the tomato mixture and garnish with fresh basil and serve. (As an alternative, serve the wontons next to the tomato mixture and goat cheese slices.)