2 tablespoons sesame oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
1 to 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 to 3 medium- to large-sized carrots, shredded
1 bunch asparagus (about a pound), ends trimmed and stalks sliced
1 8-ounce package cremini mushrooms, diced
1 cup peas, fresh or frozen
1 bunch scallions, diced
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds, plus more to garnish (see Recipe Note)
1 heaping teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for some heat)
1 12-ounce package square wonton wrapper skins (about 50 skins)
7 ounces cream cheese
Egg wash, made with 1 egg yolk + 1 teaspoon water, mixed together
Roasted sesame seeds or seaweed gomasio, for garnish
Dried salted seaweed (or gim), cut thin or crumbled, for garnish
Dipping sauce, to serve (see Recipe Note)
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Warm the sesame oil in a large wok or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Wait a minute or two for the pan and oil to heat, then add the onions and garlic. Sauté for a few minutes, or until the onions begin to soften. Add the carrots, asparagus, and mushrooms, and mix together. Cook the vegetables until they just start to soften, 3 to 4 more minutes. Add the peas and scallions. Season the vegetable mixture with salt, pepper, and the soy sauce. Taste and adjust any seasonings as needed. Cook until the vegetables become soft, 2 to 3 more minutes. Add a teaspoon of sesame seeds and a few pinches of crushed red pepper, if desired. Toss together one last time, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
To assemble the wontons, set up a work station with a small bowl of water close by. Fill one wonton wrap with about a tablespoon of the veggie filling and top with a 1/2 teaspoon of cream cheese; feel free to use a little more if desired.
To fold the wontons, dip your fingers in the water and wet one corner of the wonton skin wrapper. Pinch this corner together with the opposite corner, over the filling. Wet the other two corners and connect/tuck them into the middle. Press the corners together firmly. This should create a "pillow" shape. (See photo gallery, above, for step-by-step instructions.)
Repeat with filling and shaping the remaining wonton wrappers. Transfer all the wontons to a baking sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment. Brush the wontons with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 10 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
Remove the wontons from the oven and allow to cool slightly before garnishing with more seaweed gomasio and the dried seaweed (gim). Serve with dipping sauce.