Dim Sum Buzz: 2011

Saturday 19 March 2011

Chan Chi Kai (Pearly Chick Dumpling)

Chan Chu Kai is made if glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaves stuffed with chicken in the center ...

Nice ?

It's delicious if you ask me. Kids like them for some unknown reasons.

Recommended. But again, if you expect something crunchy or crispy, the I suggest you should just give it a pass ... this is one tender soft delicate stuff. Actually, a little slimy (see "Glutinous Rice" below for details.)

Glutinous rice 糯米

Glutinous rice (Oryza sativa var. glutinosa or Oryza glutinosa; also called sticky rice, sweet rice, waxy rice, botan rice, biroin chal, mochi rice, and pearl rice[1]) is a type of short-grained Asian rice that is especially sticky when cooked. It is called glutinous (< Latin glūtinōsus[2]) in the sense of being glue-like or sticky and not in the sense of containing gluten[citation needed]; on the other hand, it is called sticky but should not be confused with the other varieties of Asian rice that become sticky to one degree or another when cooked.

Chinese traditions

In Chinese, glutinous rice is known as nuòmǐ (糯米).

The Chinese dish, nuòmǐ fàn (糯米飯), is steamed glutinous rice usually cooked with Chinese sausage, chopped Chinese mushrooms, chopped barbecue pork and optionally dried shrimp or scallop (recipe varies depending on the cook's preference).

File:Zongzi.jpg

Zongzi (Traditional Chinese 糭子/糉子, Smplified Chinese 粽子) is a Chinese dumpling consisting of glutinous rice and sweet or savory fillings wrapped in leaves which is then boiled or steamed, commonly eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival. Lo mai gai is a parcel of glutinous rice and chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and steamed. It is served as a dim sum dish in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. Ba bao fan (八寶飯) or "eight treasure rice" is a dessert made from glutinous rice steamed and mixed with lard, sugar, and eight kinds of fruits or nuts.

Glutinous rice is also often ground to make glutinous rice flour. This flour is then made into niangao and sweet filled dumplings tangyuan, both of which are commonly eaten at Chinese New Year. It also sometimes used as a thickener and for baking.

Friday 18 March 2011

Har Gao The King Of Dim Sum

Har Gao 蝦餃

Har Gao (also spelled har gow, har gau, har kau, har gao, ha gao, ha gow, ha gau, har gaw, ha gaw, har kaw, ha gaau, har cow, har gaau, or other variants) is a classic Chinese Dim Sum.

The dumpling is sometimes called a shrimp bonnet for its pleated shape. Traditionally, har gow should have at least seven and preferably ten or more pleats imprinted on its wrapper. This dish is often served together with sieu mai; when served in such a manner the two items are collectively referred to as hargow-sieu mai (蝦餃燒賣).

The wrappers are made with boiling water, to which wheat starch, tapioca starch, oil and a small amount of salt are added.[1] The filling contains shrimp, cooked pork fat, bamboo shoots, scallions, cornstarch, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and other seasonings.[1] The pouch-shaped dumpling is then steamed in a bamboo basket until translucent; at the table it is usually dipped in soy sauce, or red color rice vinegar. When the dough for the wrapper is properly prepared and cooked, the dumpling has a slightly sticky, chewy texture. The shrimp are not overcooked, so they retain a slightly crisp texture. Ingredients vary regionally, but most versions contain sesame oil, salt, sugar.[1] Other versions may contain oyster sauce, water chestnuts, or ginger.

This dish is said to be the one that the skill of a dim sum chef is judged on. The skin must be thin and translucent, yet be sturdy enough not to break when picked up with chopsticks. It must not stick to the paper, container or the other har gow in the basket. The shrimp must be cooked well, but not overcooked. The amount of meat should be generous, yet not so much that it cannot be eaten in one bite.

Recommended ?

Absolutely. Everyone loves Har Gao or else, you're simply not a fan of Dim Sum.

Thursday 17 March 2011

Shiu Mai The Queen Of Dim Sum

Shiu Mai 燒賣

No Yum Cha (Cantonese for "Tea Time" ie. having Dim Sum at a Chinese restaurant) is complete without this item. It's that serious.

What Is Shiu Mai ?

I have no idea whare does the name "Shiu Mai" comes from ? Literally, it means "Roast & Sell" !

Basically, it's a wonton like dumpling. It's stuffed with flavored minced port and topped with a little bit of fish roes. Wrapped in tantalizing fashion as you can see, and they just steam the hell out of it !

One thing you may want to take note is Chinese culinary is very different from other culture in one way - Chinese uses water as the medium to cook more than anything else. That's explains why almost all Dim Sum is steamed, not baked or fried.

Very frequently, Chinese also use water to boil food. That's why you pay attention, Chinese always have some really watered down soups that people from other culture simply cannot appreciate. I shall cover this cultural aspect of Chinese culture in details in culinary topics.

Meanwhile, believe me, Shiu Mai is one of rare Dim Sum that everyone loves. It's for this reason I call it the Queen of Dim Sum. So, which one is the King, you may ask ?

Stay tuned for more.

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Cheong Fun is truly a noodle that is fun to eat !

Cheong Fun 腸粉

It's a noodle made of rice flour that is very Cantonese, and it's absolutely fresh because it's made (by steaming rice flour batter on a piece of "cheese cloth") when you order one.

It comes with a variety of stuffings - Shrimps, pork, beef etc. There is one rolled up with Dog Bone (Tu Tiu or You Cha Kwai - Chinese longish donut) but this one is not called Cheong Fun. It's called Cha Leong. And it usually mean to go with congee etc.

What it taste like ?

If you love pasta and Chinese food. This one is for you. Kids generally love it because it's smooth, tasty and of course, pretty fun.

Personally, I love it. It's one of those "must have" item on my Dim Sum list.

Generally, it's served with a 'flavored' soya sause and occasionally, they may give a strand of Yu Choy (Chinese spinach).

Do I recommend this dish ?

Yes. Get one ... It's truly Cantonese.

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Char Siu Pao (Roast Pork Bun)

This is classic Dim Sum dish.

Basically, it's a steamed bun stuffed with Char Siu (Roast Pork with Chinese BBQ sauce).

What is Char Siu 叉燒 ?

Char Siu (also spelled Cha Siu, Chashao, and Char Siew), otherwise known as barbecued meat (usually pork) in China or Chinese-flavored barbecued meat outside China, is a popular way to flavor and prepare pork in Cantonese cuisine.

"Char siu" literally means "fork burn/roast" (Char being fork (both noun and verb) and siu being burn/roast) after the traditional cooking method for the dish: long strips of seasoned boneless pork are skewered with long forks and placed in a covered oven or over a fire.

The meat, typically a shoulder cut of domestic pork (although in ancient times wild boar and other available meats were also used), is seasoned with a mixture of honey, five-spice powder, fermented tofu (red), dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce, red food colouring (not a traditional ingredient but very common in today's preparations) and sherry or rice wine (optional). These seasonings turn the exterior layer of the meat dark red, similar to the "smoke ring" of American barbecues. Maltose may be used to give char siu its characteristic shiny glaze.

Char siu is typically consumed with starch, whether inside a bun (cha siu baau), with noodles (cha siu mein), or with rice (cha siu fan) in fast food establishments, or served alone as a centerpiece or main dish in traditional family dining establishments. If it is purchased outside of a restaurant, it is usually taken home and used as one ingredient in various complex entrees consumed at family meals.
Recommended ?

Yes. It's one of the Dim Sum favorites. But for non-Chinese who are used to baked food, I'd recommend the baked version of Char Siu Pao instead. Usually, they just call the baked Char Siu Pao as "Siu Pao".

Saturday 12 March 2011

Phoenix Claws

Phoenix Claws 鳳爪

This Dim Sum is quite possibly the toughest looking food you have ever come across in your life.

I'd be honest with you, it's actually Chicken Feet !

But you know what, it's really yummy.

It's tasty (in Chinese BBQ stew sauce), it's tender, it's simply amazing except it may look yucky to those who never have it before, and I don't blame you.

Sometimes I wonder how on earth can Chinese invented such a challenging (look-wise) dish ? Personally, I can never imagine chicken feet are actually edible ... Not only it looks tough, it's actually tough.

Well, not so after it's cooked.

It texture is like ... I don't know, there is hardly anything comparable, really.

If you dare, try it.

Warning

Believe me, once you think it's okay ... you will be hooked for life. It's the crack of Dim Sum !

Friday 11 March 2011

Seaweed Shrimp Roll

Fried Shrimp Dumpling Rolled in Seaweed ... that's it.

Yummy ?

Do you like spring roll ? And yes, then this spring roll wrapped with seaweed called Nori, the same one used in wrapping Sushi. You should love it.

About Nori Seaweed

Nori (海苔?) is the Japanese name for various edible seaweed species of the red alga Porphyra including most notably P. yezoensis and P. tenera, sometimes called laver.

Finished products are made by a shredding and rack-drying process that resembles papermaking. Japan, Korea, and China are the current major producers of nori, with total production valued at up to US$2 billion per year.

Thursday 3 March 2011

Stuffed Eggplant

Actually, these delicious Dim Sum stuffed with fishcake are not made from the eggplants you used to see in supermarket. Not the usual fat round babes, they're made using Chinese eggplant, which is of course still eggplant except they're a lot longer and thinner physically (see picture below),

What's verdict on this one ?

I say they're alright. Worth trying ... but if you expect something crunchy or crispy, then please pass it on.

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Ngao Chap

Ngao Chap or simply Cow Spare Parts Stew (in my language) is a rather tasty Chinese stew with stuffs like kidneys, tripe and radish.

Don't let the appearance fools you. It may look yucky, but it's pretty tasty.

It's stew with the classic Chinese Five Spices.

About Five Spices 五香粉

Five-spice powder is a mixture of five spices, encompassing all five flavors of sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty. It is popular in Chinese cuisine, but also used in other Asian cookery.

Formulae

There are many variants. The most common is bajiao (star anise), cloves, cinnamon, huajiao (Sichuan pepper) and ground fennel seeds. Instead of true cinnamon, "Chinese cinnamon" (also known as rougui, the ground bark of the cassia tree, a close relative of true cinnamon which is often sold as cinnamon), may be used. The spices need not be used in equal quantities.

Another variant is tunghing or "Chinese cinnamon", powdered cassia buds, powdered star anise and anise seed, ginger root, and ground cloves.

The formulae are based on the Chinese philosophy of balancing the yin and yang in food.

Usage

Five spice is used well with greasy meats like pork and duck. It is used in stir fried vegetables and as a spice rub for chicken, duck, pork and seafood.

Five spice is used in recipes for Cantonese roasted duck, as well as beef stew. It is also used as a marinade for Vietnamese broiled chicken. The five-spice powder mixture has followed the Chinese diaspora and has been incorporated into other national cuisines throughout Asia.

Although this mixture is used in restaurant cooking, many Chinese households do not use it in day-to-day cooking. In Hawaii, some restaurants have it on the table.

A versatile seasoned salt can be easily made by stir-frying common salt with Five-spice powder under low heat in a dry pan until the spice and salt are well mixed.

Monday 28 February 2011

Tofu Roll

If you fancy Tofu skin or wrapping that is tender and yet crispy is some way, then this Dim Sum is for you.

I would say this dish is very subject to taste bud. Some like it, while others may not.

You really gotta try it to know if it is your cup of tea.

About Tofu Skin

Tofu skin (Chinese: 腐皮; pinyin: fǔ pí) also known as beancurd sheet, dried beancurd, yuba or bean skin, is a Chinese and Japanese food product made from soybeans. During the boiling of soy milk, in an open shallow pan, a film or skin composed primarily of a soy protein–lipid complex forms on the liquid surface. The films are collected and dried into yellowish sheets known as tofu skin.

Spare Ribs

This Dim Sum dish is kind of tricky.

It's basically pork rib steam-cooked with Chinese Black Bean 豆豉 ... A kind of fermented soy bean. So, you either love it or hate it.

No harm checking it out.

About Chinese Black Bean 豆豉 (Douchi in Japanese)

Preserved Chinese Black Bean or Douchi (Chinese: 豆豉; pinyin: dòuchǐ), also called Chinese fermented black beans (simplified Chinese: 黑豆豆豉; pinyin: hēidòu dòuchǐ), is a flavoring most popular in the cuisine of China, and is used to make black bean sauce.

Douchi is made by fermenting and salting soybeans. The process turns the beans black, soft, and mostly dry. The flavor is sharp, pungent, and spicy in smell, with a taste that is salty and somewhat bitter and sweet.

Douchi should not be confused with black turtle beans, a variety of common bean that is commonly used in the cuisines of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

In Japanese, douchi is also referred to by the same kanji (豆豉) and pronounced as touchi.
The process and product are similar to ogiri and iru, both being African fermented bean products.

Monday 14 February 2011

Siu Pao (Baked Roast Pork Bun)

This is a baked version of Char Siu Pao, a classic Dim Sum dish.

Basically, it's baked rather than steamed as in the case of Char Siu Pao (Roast Pork with Chinese BBQ sauce).

What is Char Siu 叉燒 ?

Char Siu (also spelled Cha Siu, Chashao, and Char Siew), otherwise known as barbecued meat (usually pork) in China or Chinese-flavored barbecued meat outside China, is a popular way to flavor and prepare pork in Cantonese cuisine.

"Char siu" literally means "fork burn/roast" (Char being fork (both noun and verb) and siu being burn/roast) after the traditional cooking method for the dish: long strips of seasoned boneless pork are skewered with long forks and placed in a covered oven or over a fire.

The meat, typically a shoulder cut of domestic pork (although in ancient times wild boar and other available meats were also used), is seasoned with a mixture of honey, five-spice powder, fermented tofu (red), dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce, red food colouring (not a traditional ingredient but very common in today's preparations) and sherry or rice wine (optional). These seasonings turn the exterior layer of the meat dark red, similar to the "smoke ring" of American barbecues. Maltose may be used to give char siu its characteristic shiny glaze.

Char siu is typically consumed with starch, whether inside a bun (cha siu baau), with noodles (cha siu mein), or with rice (cha siu fan) in fast food establishments, or served alone as a centerpiece or main dish in traditional family dining establishments. If it is purchased outside of a restaurant, it is usually taken home and used as one ingredient in various complex entrees consumed at family meals.
Recommended ?

Yes. It's one of the Dim Sum favorites. It's particular suited for non-Chinese who are used to baked food.

The Chinese may prefer the steamed version of Char Siu Pao here.

Usually, they just call the baked Char Siu Pao as "Siu Pao".

Sunday 13 February 2011

Lo Pak Kuo (Radish Cake)

All I can say is this one tender soft yummy cake that is delicious you must not miss.

It's prepared by first frying the cake (made of radish and a variety of flour including wheat flor, rice flour and quite possibly, tapioca flour as well ... I am not sure about the lasy one. I'd check and confirm.)

Personally, I love it with chili sauce, and it's usually one of the cheapest items on the menu. Reason ? Its ingredient practically cost nothing ... it's basically radish and flours.

Yummilicious !

Recommended.

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Shrimp Tofu

I call this a Shaolin dish !

While it has nothing to do with Shaolin Kungfu, tofu is actually a staple diet for monks ! However, no monks is supposed to consume this Dim Sum because shrimps is no Kosher (monks are supposed to refrained from consuming any living organism ... No Killing is a precept of Buddhism).

About Tofu

Tofu or bean curd is a food made by coagulating soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into soft white blocks. It is of Chinese origin, and it is also a part of East Asian and Southeast Asian cuisine such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and others. There are many different varieties of tofu, including fresh tofu and tofu that has been processed in some way. Tofu has very little flavor or smell on its own, so it can be used either in savory or sweet dishes, and it is often seasoned or marinated to suit the dish.

Tofu is thought to have originated in ancient China, but its precise origins are debated. Tofu and its production technique were introduced into Korea and then Japan during the Nara period. It also spread into other parts of East Asia as well. This spread likely coincided with the spread of Buddhism because it is an important source of protein in the vegetarian diet of East Asian Buddhism. Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty described a method of making tofu in Bencao Gangmu.

Tofu contains a low amount of calories, relatively large amount of iron, and little fat. Depending on the coagulant used in manufacturing, the tofu may also be high in calcium and/or magnesium.

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Peppery Squid

The Best Deep Fried Squid

from ILoveDimSum by nobody@flickr.com (knightbefore_99)

knightbefore_99 has added a photo to the pool:

Now officially my favourite in Vancouver , the Mui Garden Deep Fried Squid is worth travelling thousands of miles for

Monday 10 January 2011

Shrimp Roll

Deep Fried Spring Rolls with Minced Prawn

from ILoveDimSum by nobody@flickr.com (Kwong Eats)

Kwong Eats has added a photo to the pool:

Deep Fried Spring Rolls with Minced Prawn

Sunday 9 January 2011

Crispy Taro Dumpling

Deep Fried Yam Dumpling

from ILoveDimSum by nobody@flickr.com (Kwong Eats)

Kwong Eats has added a photo to the pool:

Friday 7 January 2011

Unagi Puff

What kind of delicious looking animal is this one ?

First of all, it's not exactly Chinese. It's a Dim Sum (actually, Dim Sim can be literally translated as "Snacks"), but it's a fusion between Japanese eel (Unagi) and Chinese pastry, the puff and the sauce (you should pretty familiar with this one, it's the general purpose Chinese BBQ sauce).

What it tastes like ?

If you love Chinese BBQ Pork and you like fluffy pastry, then I imagine you will love this one.

Recommended ?

Yes. But chances are you won't find it in most Chinese restaurants. This is a fusion invention by some creative chefs, something you may try to create at home. If you know how to bake, just get a can of Unagi from an Asian supermarket, wrap it up using a greasy dough (I forgot the official name for this kind of fatty dough) that give you the puffy or fluffy sensation when you put it in your mouth ... It's fatty but its tastes good.

I'll try to create a recipe ... Just like most things on earth, good culinary is all about creativity.

Thursday 6 January 2011

Chiu Chow Dumpling

Chiu Chow Dumpling 潮州粉果

"Chiu Chow" is the Cantonese pronunciation of Chaozhou 潮州 in Hanyi Pinyin.

Chiu Chow in my opinion created some of most stunning Chinese dishes that are really yummy except most of their dishes are not that well presented. They're otherwise amazingly tasty.

For practically, all my article on Dim Sum will refer the food by its Cantonese name. This is because Dim Sum is basically Cantonese and most restaurants that serve Dim Sum are run by Cantonese speaking Chinse. For example, if you trying to order this Dim Sum by calling it Chaozhou Dumpling, chances are you won't get very far.

This is very tender dumpling stuffed with water-chestnut, green pea and minced pork & shrimp. The skin is made of tapioca flour, that explains why it's almost transparent in appearance.

Is it delicious ? You gotta try it to appreciate.

Recommended ? Yes, but I suspect some find it so so.

Wednesday 5 January 2011

The Dragon Dumpling

Dragon Dumpling 小籠包

If there is anything Shanghainese can be proud of when it comes to food, this is it.

For those who are not familiar with Chinese food culture and history. Here is a rough idea ... Generally, Cantonese food rules. For some historical (imperial) reasons, southern Chinese are foodies and they have created some of the tastiest dishes that are renown all over the world. The northerners are generally not into food, not as much as southerners. The northern dishes are generally consider as "bland" (to the southerners"). Please excuse me if you are a northerner. I shall explain everything on a culinary topics why so ?

Right now, I just wanna introduce the Dragon Dumpling, the pride of Shanghai, so to speak. Why should Shnaghainese be proud of this particular plain looking dumpling ? Simple. Because no one else can make this as good as Shanghainese ... By the way, Dragon Dumpling is a pork dumpling, and what make it stand out from the rest is the technology !

No kidding. The Shanghainese invented a technology to retain 'juice' right in the dumpling itself. Therefore, the right way to eat this juicy dumpling is the suck it prior to gobbling it into your tummy ! I am ashamed to say although I am a chef, I still don't quite know the secret behind this lil juicy babe. Those that I made arte never as juicy. For this reason, ht tip to the Shanghainese guru.

Is it recommended ? I would say yes. Personally, I love the juice. Dip it in vinegar and eat it with ginger ... Yum !

Tips: If you're serving it at home, try using a good vineger such as Balsamic Vinegar ... It tastes superb !

Sunday 2 January 2011

Lil Boat Congee

Lil Boat Congee or rice porridge is one the Cantonese Dim Sum specialties.

History

The name 'Lil Boat Congee' came about because it's originated from the boats ! In Hongkong, especially back in the 60s where lots of its inhabitants couldn't afford a home, many actually live on the boats (converting from fishing boats ?). They not only live there, some even operate eateries on the boat. And Lil Boat Congee is one of the so called all-in-one food they serve.

The dish ended up as a Dim Sum celebrity of some sort and before long, mainstream restaurants adopted this 'cheap snack' as one of the signature Dim Sim dishes.

Ingredients

Basically, you may put add anything that goes with plain congee. Typically, you will find pork ham, century egg, salty duck egg, fried peanuts, tong cai (a kind of Chinese pickle), green onions, dog bone (Chinese long donut of some sort), deep fried white noodles and even potato chips !

Recommendation

Unless you have a Chinese tongue, I wouldn't recommend this dish. The century egg alone may put you off. Else, no harm to check it out.

Saturday 1 January 2011

Sweet Potato stuffed with Pork & Mushrooms

Something unusual today ... Sweet Potato filled with Pork & Mushrooms !

To be honest, I have never sampled such an exotic din sum. It makes me wonder who invested this one ?

What it tastes like ? Imagine a sugar laced potato with stuffed with say, burger ?