Dim sum is a beloved Chinese culinary tradition, known for its wide variety of small, flavorful dishes typically enjoyed with tea. While dim sum originated in Cantonese cuisine, it has become a global favorite, with numerous types of dumplings, buns, and other bite-sized treats. Although dim sum is often associated with going out to a restaurant for a dim sum brunch, the good news is that you can recreate these delightful dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of making dim sum at home, from preparing the dough and fillings to cooking methods like steaming, frying, and baking. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to prepare a selection of traditional dim sum dishes for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
What is Dim Sum?
Dim sum refers to a variety of bite-sized foods typically served in small portions and enjoyed during a traditional Chinese tea service. The term “dim sum” literally translates to “touch the heart,” which reflects the notion that dim sum should not be overly filling, but rather, a perfect accompaniment to tea. Dim sum includes a variety of foods such as dumplings, buns, rolls, and pastries, each offering a different combination of flavors and textures.
Although dim sum is often served in specialized restaurants, particularly in Hong Kong, it is also common for people to make these delightful dishes at home, especially during family gatherings or festive occasions.
Basic Ingredients for Dim Sum
Before you begin making dim sum at home, it’s important to have the right ingredients on hand. Here are the most common ingredients used in dim sum:
Dough:
Wheat Flour: Used for dumplings, buns, and wrappers.
Rice Flour: Used for creating wrappers for steamed dumplings and glutinous rice rolls.
Cornstarch: Used to help create a smooth texture for dough or batter.
Fillings:
Meat: Pork, chicken, shrimp, and beef are the most commonly used in dim sum fillings.
Vegetables: Mushrooms, bamboo shoots, cabbage, and spinach are popular vegetable fillings.
Herbs & Seasonings: Ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and oyster sauce are used to season the filling.
Sweet Fillings: For desserts like sesame balls and sweet buns, fillings like red bean paste, lotus seed paste, and custard are often used.
Cooking Equipment:
Steamer: Essential for cooking most dim sum dishes, especially dumplings and buns. A bamboo steamer is traditional, but you can also use metal steamers.
Wok or Frying Pan: For frying certain types of dim sum, such as spring rolls.
Baking Tray: Used for baked dim sum like char siu bao (barbecue pork buns).
Classic Dim Sum Recipes You Can Make at Home
1. Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow)
Har Gow is one of the most iconic dim sum dishes. These delicate shrimp dumplings have a translucent wrapper and are filled with a mixture of shrimp, bamboo shoots, and seasonings.
Ingredients:
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons bamboo shoots, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Dumpling wrappers (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
Prepare the Filling: Chop the shrimp into small pieces or pulse them in a food processor to create a chunky paste. In a bowl, combine the shrimp, bamboo shoots, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and sugar. Mix well to combine.
Assemble the Dumplings: Place a small spoonful of filling in the center of each dumpling wrapper. Fold the wrapper over the filling and pinch the edges together, forming a crescent shape. Pleat the edges to ensure the dumpling is sealed.
Steam the Dumplings: Bring water to a boil in a steamer or pot with a steaming rack. Place the dumplings in the steamer basket, leaving space between each one. Steam for about 6-8 minutes, or until the dumplings become translucent and the shrimp are fully cooked.
Serve: Serve the shrimp dumplings with soy sauce and a little chili oil for dipping.
2. Char Siu Bao (Barbecue Pork Buns)
Char Siu Bao is a savory dim sum dish featuring fluffy steamed buns filled with sweet and savory barbecue pork.
Ingredients:
1 lb pork shoulder or pork belly, diced
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions:
Prepare the Filling: In a small saucepan, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sugar, and five-spice powder. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened. Stir in the diced pork and cook until the pork is tender and coated in the sauce. Let it cool.
Make the Dough: In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and warm water. Stir until a dough forms, then knead for about 5-10 minutes until smooth. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Assemble the Buns: Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten it into a small circle. Spoon a generous amount of the pork filling into the center of each circle, then pinch the edges to seal the bun.
Steam the Buns: Place the buns in a bamboo steamer lined with parchment paper. Steam the buns for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are fluffy and cooked through.
Serve: Serve the freshly steamed char siu bao with a cup of hot tea.
3. Spring Rolls (Chun Juan)
Spring rolls are a popular dim sum snack. They consist of a crispy wrapper filled with a mixture of vegetables, meat, or shrimp. These rolls are typically deep-fried to a golden brown.
Ingredients:
1 cup cabbage, finely chopped
1/2 cup carrots, julienned
1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped
1/2 lb shrimp or pork, finely chopped (optional)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
Spring roll wrappers
Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
Prepare the Filling: In a skillet, sauté the cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and shrimp (if using) in sesame oil until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in soy sauce and ginger, then remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.
Assemble the Spring Rolls: Lay a spring roll wrapper flat on a clean surface. Place a spoonful of the filling near the center of the wrapper. Fold the sides in and roll it up tightly, sealing the edges with a little water.
Fry the Spring Rolls: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the spring rolls in batches for about 3-4 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Serve: Serve the spring rolls with a sweet chili dipping sauce or soy sauce.
4. Custard Buns (Nai Wong Bao)
For a sweet dim sum treat, custard buns (Nai Wong Bao) are an irresistible option. These buns are filled with a smooth and creamy egg custard and have a soft, pillowy texture.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
4 large eggs
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions:
Prepare the Custard Filling: In a saucepan, melt butter and sugar over low heat. Beat the eggs, then add them to the saucepan with the evaporated milk, vanilla extract, salt, and cornstarch. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
Make the Dough: Mix the flour, yeast, and warm water in a bowl to form a dough. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth, then let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Assemble the Buns: Divide the dough into small portions and flatten each portion into a disc. Place a spoonful of custard filling in the center and pinch the edges to seal the bun.
Steam the Buns: Steam the buns for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are soft and cooked through.
Serve: Serve the custard buns warm, and enjoy the sweet, creamy filling inside.
**Tips for Perfect Dim Sum**
- Work in Batches: When making dim sum, it’s best to work in batches to ensure that each piece is cooked properly. This also makes the process more manageable.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients make a significant difference in the taste of your dim sum. Try to use the freshest meat, vegetables, and herbs you can find.
- Steam Correctly: If you’re using a bamboo steamer, line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Make sure the water in the pot doesn’t touch the bottom of the steamer basket.
- Experiment with Fillings: Dim sum is all about variety, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings and flavors. Combine different meats and vegetables to create your own signature dim sum dishes.
Conclusion
Making dim sum at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. With a little patience and the right ingredients, you can create a variety of delicious, bite-sized dishes that are perfect for sharing with friends and family. Whether you’re making shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns, or sweet custard buns, dim sum is sure to bring a taste of traditional Chinese cuisine into your home. So gather your ingredients, prepare your steaming setup, and get ready to enjoy your homemade dim sum feast!
Leave a Reply