How to Chinese Dim Sum at Home
Last modify: 2023/11/13
Making Chinese dim sum at home can be a rewarding culinary adventure. Here's a basic recipe for making one type of dim sum, shrimp dumplings, also known as Har Gow. These delicate dumplings are popular and relatively simple to prepare.
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
1/2 pound (225g) fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup bamboo shoots, finely chopped
2 tablespoons water chestnuts, finely chopped
1 green onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
For the Dough:
1 cup wheat starch
1/4 cup tapioca starch
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Filling:
Finely chop the shrimp into small pieces.In a bowl, combine the chopped shrimp with bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, white pepper, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.
2. Make the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine wheat starch and tapioca starch.Pour boiling water into the starch mixture and stir quickly with a fork until it forms a dough.Add vegetable oil and knead the dough until smooth. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
3. Shape the Dumplings:
Roll the dough into a long cylinder and cut it into small pieces.Flatten each piece into a round wrapper using the palms of your hands or a rolling pin. Aim for wrappers about 3 inches in diameter.
4. Assemble the Dumplings:
Place a small spoonful of the shrimp filling in the center of each wrapper.Fold the wrapper in half, creating a half-moon shape. Seal the edges by pleating or crimping with your fingers.
5. Steam the Dumplings:
Place the dumplings on a parchment paper-lined steamer basket, leaving space between each dumpling.Steam over boiling water for about 8-10 minutes or until the dumplings are translucent and the filling is cooked through.
6. Serve:
Serve the shrimp dumplings hot with soy sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Feel free to experiment with other dim sum varieties such as pork dumplings, shumai, or char siu bao. The key to successful dim sum making lies in patience and practice. Enjoy your homemade dim sum!