People say cooking is an art, and art has a technique. Emboldening both these statements is the fine, slightly complicated art of Asian cooking. Nevertheless, like a well-practiced dancer, you will be able to go through the motions of creating these complicated food items fluently once you try multiple times. Why should you try?
Well, because the flavors and texture of the results are so delectable, your eyes will flutter shut in contentment.
Dont believe us? Were here to prove you wrong with a master cookbook of Dim Sum varieties, enough to feed a hungry army and to win hearts with your expertise. From rolls to dumplings, easy short recipes to ones that take more than a day, we have it all lined up just for you. Once you delve into this cookbook, you will re-emerge more knowledgeable, wiser, and definitely a better cook.
Dont wait any longer, get your steamers ready, head straight to your nearest Asian market, and grab your ingredients! Its time to cook some Dim Sums!
An Easy Start
Well begin by using a shortcut method to cook one of the dishes that take an extremely long time to be prepped, and that is a Congee. It is a porridge served with pork and a thousand-year-old egg, beaten piping hot, and full of healthy ingredients. But were going to break down the long preparation time to 20 minutes. For that, youll have to prep the rice beforehand. Take a look!
Ingredients:
- White rice - cup
- Pork shoulder - 4 ounces, julienned
- Cornstarch - teaspoon
- Oyster sauce - 1 teaspoon
- Vegetable oil - 1 teaspoon
- Water or chicken broth - 7 cups
- Thousand-year-old eggs - 2
- Ginger - 3 slices
- White pepper - teaspoon, ground
- Salt - as per taste
- Scallions- cup for garnishing
- Cilantro - Cup for garnishing
Preparation Time: 30 mins
Serving Size:
Instructions:
1. Refrigerate washed and drained white rice in a ziplock bag or freezer-safe box for over eight hours.
2. Make a marinade with cornstarch, vegetable oil and oyster sauce and marinade pork for twenty minutes.
3. Bring 7 cups of water or chicken broth to a boil and add the frozen rice into it. Let it come to a boil again, and simmer for fifteen minutes. Keep stirring to avoid the sticking of the rice to the bottom of the pot.
4. Meanwhile, dice the thousand-year-old egg and julienne the ginger into very thin slices.
5. Once fifteen minutes are up, add the pork, egg, and ginger and simmer for five minutes more. Mix in the pepper and salt and serve with garnishes. Enjoy!
Early Dessert - Cantonese Steamed Custard Buns
Yes, it might be too early to dive into a dessert recipe when theres so much savory left to explore, but this one is so mouthwatering that we just had to bring it to you immediately! For a steamed custard bun, dim sum style; check out the recipe below... and make sure you share it with others!
Ingredients:
Filling:
- Eggs - 2
- Powdered sugar - cup
- Milk - cup
- Heavy cream - 3 tablespoons
- All-purpose flour - 3 tablespoons
- Cornstarch - cup
- Milk powder - cup
- Melted butter - 2 tablespoons
Dough:
- Yeast - 1 teaspoon
- Water - cup, warm
- All-purpose flour - 1 cups
- Powdered sugar - 3 tablespoons
- Salt - teaspoon
- Coconut milk - 3 tablespoons
- Milk - 3 tablespoons
Preparation Time: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Serving Size:
Instructions:
1. Set up some water in a pan and let it boil, then simmer. In a bowl, pile in the eggs and sugar and beat for a minute, then combine the milk and heavy cream in it. Mix in the flour, milk powder and cornstarch and then add the melted butter.
2. Place this bowl in the pan and stir quickly and continuously until it thickens into a custard. Take off the heat and cool.
3. In another big bowl add yeast in 1/4th cup water and let it sit for fifteen minutes until you see bubbles on the top.
4. Mix with this the flour, sugar, coconut milk and salt. Slowly combine regular milk into this until a smooth non-sticky dough is formed. Let it proof under a dry towel in a warm place for an hour until it doubles or triples in size.
5. Divide custard into 12 portions and shape them into balls.
6. Knead the proofed dough for two more minutes to get rid of air bubbles, then transfer to a clean floured surface. Divide into twelve portions and roll out each portion into circles, edges thinner than the center.
7. Place the custard filling in the center and pleat the edges close. Place them on parchment paper in a steamer and let them proof for fifteen more minutes.
8. Once proofed, turn on the heat and steam for 12 minutes. Once done, let them sit covered in the steamer, off the heat for five more minutes to cool and hold shape. Serve hot.
Chinese Spring Rolls