Cooking Classics - Dim Sum - A Step-By-Step Cookbook

ng lip kah
cooking classics Also in the Cooking Classics series:
dim sum
cooking classics d i m s u m
A STEP-BY-STEP COOKBOOK
ng lip kah Cooking Classics is a series of step-by-step cookbooks that

showcases some of the most popular and well-loved cuisines of Asia.
yudhacookbook.com
has more than 30 years of experience working at
established restaurants, which include TungLok Each fully illustrated volume provides an insightful overview of the
Restaurant, Red Star Restaurant (Chin Swee) and culinary traditions of the country, including the local cooking styles
Habour City Restaurant (PSA Building), all of and techniques, in addition to a delectable selection of 42 authentic
which are known for their dim sum specialities. In dishes. Recipes are written with clear, easy-to-follow instructions,
2008, Chef Ng was conferred Individual Second and an illustrated glossary highlights essential ingredients used.
Runner-up and the Group Champion Award by the
World Association of Chinese Cuisine (WACC),
cooking classics dim sum
an international non-government and non-profit
puts together a wide range of dim sum snacks that have captured
organisation that promotes Chinese cuisine worldwide.
the hearts of food lovers around the world. Dim sum specialist
The WACC is endorsed by members from various
Ng Lip Kah demonstrates the preparation of all-time favourites like
Asian, European, and American regions.
siew mai, glutinous rice in lotus leaf, egg tarts, as well as creative
additions to the dim sum menu, such as salted egg yolk custard buns,
Chef Ng is very passionate and sincere about his craft.
He currently conducts culinary classes, where he
crispy bread rolls and snow skin dumplings. Perfect your deep-frying
shares his sought-after skills in making dim sum. skill to get crispy deep-fried wonton, learn tips on how to mould
dumplings into various shapes, find out how to make crystalline
har kow skin, and discover many more ideas that will inspire great
cooking in this comprehensive Cooking Classics collection.
COOKERY
ISBN 978-981-4516-29-7
,!7IJ8B4-fbgcjh!
ng lip kah
000 cooking classics dim sum cover.indd 1 19/12/13 6:09 PM
cooking classics
dim sum
yudhacookbook.com
00 Prelims.indd 1 20/2/14 11:00 AM

00 Prelims.indd 2 20/2/14 11:00 AM
dim sum
ng lip kah
yudhacookbook.com
00 Prelims.indd 3 20/2/14 11:00 AM

Editor: Audrey Yow
Designer: Adithi Khandadi
Photographer: Liu Hongde, Hongde Photography
Copyright © 2014 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited
Published by Marshall Cavendish Cuisine

An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International
1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted,

in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be
addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited,
1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196.
Tel: (65) 6213 9300 Fax: (65) 6285 4871.
E-mail: genref@sg.marshallcavendish.com
Online bookstore: http://www.marshallcavendish.com/genref
Limits of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: The Author and Publisher of this book have used
their best efforts in preparing this book.The Publisher makes no representation or warranties
with respect to the contents of this book and is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe
in this book. While the Publisher has reviewed each recipe carefully, the reader may not
always achieve the results desired due to variations in ingredients, cooking temperatures and
individual cooking abilities. The Publisher shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or
any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential,
or other damages.
Other Marshall Cavendish Offices:

Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown NY 10591-9001, USA
• Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21
Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand • Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia)
Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah
Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited
National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Ng, Lip Kah.

Dim sum : a step-by-step cookbook / Ng Lip Kah. -- Singapore : Marshall Cavendish
Cuisine, 2013.
pages cm. – (Cooking classics)

ISBN : 978-981-4516-29-7 (paperback)
1. Dim sum. 2. Cooking, Chinese. I. Title. II. Series: Cooking classics.
TX724.5.C5
641.5951-- dc23 OCN865489006
Printed in Singapore by Craft Print International Ltd
00 Prelims.indd 4 20/2/14 11:00 AM

yudhacookbook.com
contents
introduction 7
cooking techniques 11
seafood 17
meat 47
rice and savoury cakes 71
pastries and desserts 83
basic recipes 110
glossary 112
index 120
00 Prelims.indd 5 20/2/14 11:00 AM

00 Prelims.indd 6 20/2/14 11:00 AM
introduction
Dim sum is a Cantonese phrase that refers to an assortment of food, each
prepared in portions smaller than a main meal. In Mandarin, dim sum is called
dian xin, which literally translates to “touch the heart”. The origin of this name
has never been explicitly documented or explained.
There are various kinds of Chinese cuisine, and dim sum is one of them.
While the food in different parts of China do include dim sum snacks,
the concept of serving dim sum is the most developed in Cantonese
cuisine. Traditional dim sum includes steamed buns, dumplings and rice
rolls. Today, the variety has expanded to include roast pork, various
types of porridge and soups, and most dim sum eateries will serve these
items. Dim sum snacks are usually served in threes or fours, with the
steamed snacks like siew mai and har kow in classic steamer baskets,
and the sweet baked pastries on plates.
Enjoying dim sum is part of Chinese culture, and includes the standard
practice of having steamed buns, shrimp dumplings, pork dumplings,
rice rolls and so on. Most of the time, they are served hot, with only a
handful of cold dishes. For example, the dessert, snow skin dumplings
on page 88, are best served chilled.
Northern China is looked upon as the main producer of dough products,
and they are credited with the creation of numerous pastries. While this
has an important influence on dim sum, the southern Chinese has also
00 Prelims.indd 7 20/2/14 11:00 AM

contributed to the dim sum variety. Southern Chinese dim sum can be
broadly categorised into savoury and sweet snacks, most of which are
covered in this book.
As with all kinds of Chinese cuisine, different cooking techniques are
employed to prepared dim sum. Sometimes, two or more cooking
techniques are used for one dish. Some of the key techniques used in
this book are briefly explained in the following pages.
Dim sum snacks come in different shapes and sizes. Depending on
the region from which it originated, the same food item may have a
different shape. For example, soup dumplings (xiao long bao) from
the southern regions of China are dented at the top, unlike the ones in
the north, which peak nicely at the top where all the pleats meet. The
dent is meant to help the southerners differentiate the soup dumplings
from other similar-looking buns, which do not contain soup. Apart from
practical reasons, the varied appearances of dim sum snacks are also to
provide variety and to enhance the dining experience of those who enjoy
eating dim sum.
This cookbook compiles the recipes of some of the most popular
dim sum snacks. It is a mix of traditional classics and new creative
additions that will satisfy on all occasions. With illustrated instructions
written in an easy-to-follow format, you can now discover the joy of
preparing and enjoying dim sum in the comfort of your home.
8 yudhacookbook.com
00 Prelims.indd 8 20/2/14 11:00 AM

00 Prelims.indd 9 20/2/14 11:00 AM
Dim sum cooking techniques typically
consist of steaming, boiling, deep-frying
and pan-frying.
00 Prelims.indd 10 20/2/14 11:00 AM

cooking techniques
steaming
Steaming is a healthy cooking technique, as oil is not essential when
using this method to cook. In this technique, food is cooked by the heat
from the steam of boiling water. A typical steamer has a separator to
keep the food from coming into contact with the water below. It also
comes with a lid, which covers the steamer during cooking so that
the hot steam can properly cook the food. Steaming retains the shape
and flavour of the food as it is a gentle cooking process. If a steamer
is unavailable, a wok or pot with a metal frame can work just as well
too. Fill the wok or pot with enough water and set a metal frame in
the middle. Bring the water to a boil before lowering the food onto the
metal frame to steam with the lid on.
yudhacookbook.com 11
00 Prelims.indd 11 20/2/14 11:00 AM

12
00 Prelims.indd 12 20/2/14 11:00 AM

boiling
This method uses the heat from boiling water or
other liquids to cook food. The liquid is brought to
a boil before food is added to it for cooking. Boiling
is also useful for softening ingredients, such as lotus
leaves, as the leaves become more pliable, making
it easier to fold over the ingredients for dishes
like glutinous rice in lotus leaves. Vegetables are
sometimes softened via boiling as an initial cooking
process. This subsequently shortens the cooking
time, be it for a stew or a pan-fried dish. Boiling
food beforehand also prevents them from sticking
to the frying pan during sautéing.
13
yudhacookbook.com
00 Prelims.indd 13 20/2/14 11:00 AM
00 Prelims.indd 14 20/2/14 11:00 AM
deep-frying
Deep-frying is one of the common ways of preparing dim sum snacks.
Contrary to popular belief, deep-fried food is not always soaked in oil,
provided the oil temperature is just right. The food should be coated
with a batter or crispy breading before deep-frying. This locks in
moisture and acts as a seal against the oil. At the right temperature,
the moisture from the food or batter will repel the oil and prevent it
from seeping into the food. The optimum oil temperature for deep-
frying is between 180–190˚C (350–375˚F), depending on the thickness
and type of food. If a kitchen thermometer is unavailable, a simple test
can be used to check the temperature. Insert a wooden chopstick into
the heated oil. If bubbles form around the chopstick, the oil is ready
for deep-frying. Another method is to drop a crumb of food into the
hot oil, which is ready if the crumb floats and browns. Note that the
pan or deep-fryer should not be overcrowded, as this can lower the oil
temperature, which will affect the doneness of the food and cause it to
absorb oil. Deep-fry in batches if necessary.
pan-frying
As the name of this technique suggests, pan-frying is best done with
a regular frying pan or sauté pan. The bottom of the pan should be
evenly coated with oil, or the food will stick to the parts without oil,
causing the food to burn easily. It will be harder to scrub off the burnt
parts from the pan too. Some dim sum dishes, like bean curd rolls, are
pan-fried prior to deep-frying, as this gives the rolls a crispier texture.
Others, like the stuffed vegetables on page 45, are pan-fried until
browned. This caramelisation process gives a fragrant taste to the food.
15
00 Prelims.indd 15 20/2/14 11:01 AM

01 16 Dec seafood.indd 16 7/1/14 12:13 PM
seafood
har kow 18
blossom dumplings 21
steamed fish head with fermented black beans 22
deep-fried bean curd rolls with prawns 25
deep-fried wafer rolls with prawns and mango 26
deep-fried wonton 29
vietnamese sugarcane prawns 30
lemongrass sticks 33
deep-fried prawn dumplings 34
crispy bread rolls 37
mini salmon toast 38
pomegranate-shaped prawns 41
spicy sour wonton 42
stuffed vegetables 45

har kow xia jiao
These dainty parcels are essentially prawn dumplings. It takes some practice to get the
correct texture and thickness for the skin, which should be thin enough such that it is
not too chewy or doughy, but thick enough so that it doesn’t break easily when held by
chopsticks. Ma k es a b o u t 4 0 p ieces
Seafood paste (see page 110) 320 g
(111/3 oz)
H a r kow sk in
Wheat starch 200 g (7 oz)
Boiling water 300 ml (10 fl oz / 11/4 cups)
Potato starch 80 g (24/5 oz)
Shortening or vegetable oil about 1/4 tsp
1 Prepare har kow skin. Pour wheat starch into a mixing bowl. Add boiling
water and stir with a spatula to mix.
2 Add potato starch and apply shortening or vegetable oil over the surface.
Mix well until a smooth dough forms. Cover with cling film until ready to
use to prevent the dough from drying out.
3 Roll dough into a long cylinder about 1.5–2 cm (3/4–14/5 in) in diameter.
Cut out smaller pieces, each of about 1.5–2 cm (3/4–14/5 in) long.
4 Using the back of a knife, flatten each dough piece into a thin round sheet.
5 Scoop 1 tsp seafood paste onto the centre of a dough round. Pleat the
edges to seal the dumpling. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
6 Steam for 4 minutes over high heat.
7 Serve immediately.
18 s ea fo o d

blossom dumplings mei hua jiao
The method for making blossom dumplings is similar to preparing har kow.
Made to mimic flower blossoms, these savoury seafood dumplings look as
good as they taste. Ma k es a b o u t 40 pieces

(111/3 oz)
Blo s s o m dumpl i ng s ki n
Boiling water 200 ml (10 fl oz / 11/4 cups)
Shortening or vegetable oil about 1/4 tsp
Frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn
kernels and carrots) for garnishing
1 Prepare the skin. Pour wheat starch into a mixing bowl.

Add boiling water and stir with a spatula to mix.
2 Add potato starch and apply shortening or vegetable oil
over the surface. Mix well until a smooth dough forms.
Cover with cling film until ready to use to prevent the dough
from drying out.
3 Roll dough into a long cylinder about 1.5–2 cm (3/4–14/5 in)
in diameter. Cut out smaller pieces, each of about 1.5–2 cm
(3/4–14/5 in) long.
4 Using the back of a knife, flatten each dough piece into a
thin round sheet.
5 Scoop 1 tsp seafood paste onto the centre of a dough round.
Fold the dough round over the seafood paste until the top
resembles a three-pointed star. The top should be sealed,
with three flaps extending at the sides.
6 Take the tip of one flap and curve it towards the next flap,
lightly pinching to join the tip to the centre of the star.
Repeat until three round pleats are formed.
7 Place mixed vegetables into the pleats and steam for
4 minutes over high heat.
s ea fo o d 21

steamed fish head with fermented
black beans dou chi zheng yu
Fish head is typical food on a Chinese dining table. The myriad of spices and seasoning
ingredients removes any trace of fishiness, and makes this a satisfying dish. S erv e s 4–5
Fish head 1, about 600 g (1 lb 52/5 oz) Sea so n in g

Fermented black beans 1 heaped Tbsp Chu hou sauce 20 g (2/3 oz)
1
Potato starch 10 g ( /3 oz) Guilin chilli sauce 20 g (2/3 oz)
Shredded ginger 10 g (1/3 oz) Oyster sauce 11/2 Tbsp
Shredded spring onion (scallion) for Seafood (hoisin) sauce 11/2 Tbsp
garnishing
Chicken powder 7 g (1/5 oz)
Shredded red chilli for garnishing
Salt 7 g (1/5 oz)
Sugar 16 g (1/2 oz)
Ginger juice a dash
Ground black pepper a dash
Ground white pepper a dash
Sesame oil a dash
Cooking oil a dash
1 Cut fish head into bite-size pieces. Rinse and drain.
2 Blanch fermented black beans in boiling water. Drain and pan-fry until
fragrant. Set aside.
3 Coat fish head pieces evenly with potato starch.
4 Add all seasoning ingredients to fish head pieces and mix evenly.
5 Steam for 15 minutes.
6 Garnish with spring onion and red chilli before serving.
22 s ea fo o d

deep-fried bean curd rolls
with prawns hei zou
The crispy exterior is a good contrast to the soft delicious filling of well-
marinated seafood. These rolls can be eaten as a snack or as part of a
main meal with rice. Makes about 18 pieces
F illin g
Prawns (shrimp) 300 g (101/2 oz)
Squid paste 100 g (31/2 oz)
Water chestnut 20 g (2/3 oz), peeled and
diced
Carrot 10 g (1/3 oz), peeled and diced
Coriander (cilantro) 10 g (1/3 oz),
chopped
S ea s o n ing
Salt 2 g (1/15 oz)
Sugar 7 g (1/5 oz)
Sesame oil a dash
1 Cut bean curd sheet into smaller sheets, each about 20 x 15 cm

(8 x 6 in). Set aside.
2 Prepare filling. Shell and de-vein prawns. Wash and drain well before
processing into a paste in a blender. Mix in squid paste and seasoning
ingredients.
3 Add the rest of the filling ingredients and mix well.
4 Lay a sheet of trimmed bean curd skin on a clean flat surface. Spoon
filling along the lower edge of bean curd skin and roll up the filling
into a long and slightly flattened cylinder. Repeat until all ingredients
are used up. Steam for 7 minutes over high heat.
5 Cut each steamed roll into six equal pieces.
6 Coat each piece with potato starch and deep-fry until golden brown.
7 Serve immediately with sweet dark soy sauce.
s ea fo o d 25

deep-fried wafer rolls with prawns
and mango mang guo zha xia juan
The sweet juicy flesh of mango blends well with savoury prawn filling, and gives a
refreshing taste to the dish. Ma k es a bout 15 pieces
Prawns (shrimp) 300 g (10 1/2 oz)

Ripe mango 1, peeled
Wafer papers about 40 sheets
Potato starch for coating
Sea so n in g
Salt 3 g (1/10 oz)
Sugar 8 g (1/5 oz)
Coriander (cilantro) 10 g (1/3 oz)
Cooking oil a dash
Sesame oil a dash
1 Shell and de-vein prawns. Wash and drain well before chopping into
smaller pieces.
2 Add seasoning ingredients and mix until sticky. Chill in the refrigerator
until needed.
3 Slice mango into 5 x 1-cm (2 x 1/2-in) strips.
4 Lay two sheets of wafer paper on a clean flat surface. Spoon about
1 Tbsp seasoned prawn filling near the bottom of the wafer papers. Lay
a strip of mango over the filling and roll it up like a spring roll. Repeat
until all ingredients are used up.
5 Coat wafer rolls with potato starch and deep-fry until golden brown.
26 s ea fo o d

deep-fried wonton zha yun tun
A classic favourite, deep-fried wonton is not only found at dim sum eateries, but also at
various places from small cafés to established restaurants. Ma k es a bout 25 pieces
Prawns (shrimp) 300 g (101/2 oz) S ea so n in g
Spring roll wrappers about 50 sheets Salt 3 g (1/10 oz)
Cooking oil for deep-frying Chicken powder 3 g (1/10 oz)
Sugar 8 g (1/5 oz)
Sesame oil a dash
Cooking oil a dash
1 Shell and de-vein prawns. Wash and drain well before chopping into
smaller pieces.
2 Add seasoning ingredients and mix until sticky. Chill in the refrigerator
until needed.
3 Lay a sheet of spring roll wrapper on a clean flat surface such that the
pointed tip is facing you. Spoon seasoned prawn filling at the centre of
the spring roll wrapper. Wrap the bottom tip over the filling and roll it up
into a cylinder. Bring both ends together and cross them over each other.
Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
4 Heat oil in a wok. Deep-fry wonton until golden brown.
5 Serve with mayonnaise and sweet chilli sauce.
s ea fo o d 29

vietnamese sugarcane prawns
yue nan zhe xia
Some people enjoy chewing on the sugarcane sticks after they finish eating the seafood
filling, as the sweet juice from the sugarcane is simply hard to resist! Makes about 20–25 pieces
Sugarcane 2 stalks, each about 15 cm
(6 in) long
Breadcrumbs 300 g (101/2 oz)
Cooking oil for deep-frying
F illin g
Sea so n in g
Salt 2 g ( 1/15 oz)
Sugar 4 g (1/7 oz)
Sesame oil a dash
1 Trim off the tough outer stem of the sugarcane stalks.
2 Cut each stalk into 1-cm (1/2-in) strips.
processing into a paste in a blender. Mix in squid paste and seasoning
ingredients.
4 Dampen hands and gather filling to wrap around each sugarcane strip.
Coat evenly with breadcrumbs. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
5 Heat oil in a wok and deep-fry until golden brown.
6 Serve immediately with sweet chilli sauce.
Note: The filling can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and up to 2 weeks in
the freezer.
30 s ea fo o d

lemongrass sticks xiang mao chuan
Infused with the subtle citrus flavour of lemongrass, this aromatic
blend of meat and seafood is an appetising snack. Ma k es a bout 25 pieces
Lemongrass 6 stalks S ea so n in g
Cooking oil for deep-frying Potato starch 10 g (1/3 oz)
Salt 7 g (1/5 oz)
F illin g
Prawns (shrimp) 200 g (7 oz)
Sugar 15 g (1/2 oz)
Minced pork 200 g (7 oz)
Cooking oil 10 ml (1/3 fl oz)
Squid paste 200 g (7 oz)
Five spice powder a dash
Water chestnut 50 g (12/3 oz), peeled and
diced Sesame oil a dash
Chopped spring onion (scallion)

15 g (1/2 oz)
Carrot 15 g (1/2 oz), peeled and diced
processing into a paste in a blender.
2 Add minced pork and mix well, then mix in squid paste. Mix until a
sticky paste is formed.
3 Mix in remaining filling ingredients.
4 Add seasoning ingredients and mix well. Set aside.
5 Trim away the lower bulb of each lemongrass stalk, then cut into 6-cm
(21/2-in) long strips.
6 With a spoon ready in one hand, dampen the other hand with some water.
Use the damp hand to gather some filling and lightly squeeze out a ball
of filling. Scoop the ball of filling with the spoon and set it aside. Repeat
until filling is used up.
7 Wrap each ball of filling around a lemongrass strip, leaving half of the
strip exposed. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
8 Heat oil in a wok. Deep-fry lemongrass sticks until golden brown.
s ea fo o d 33

deep-fried prawn dumplings ming xia jiao
Similar to deep-fried wonton, these dumplings get a western touch with a garnishing of
mayonnaise, which makes a pleasant dip for these deep-fried snacks. Makes 20–25 pieces

(111/3 oz)
Wonton skin 30 sheets
Mayonnaise for garnishing
1 Spoon about 1 tsp seafood paste at the centre of a wonton skin. Fold
wonton skin over the filling to get a triangle. Press gently to seal the
opening. Pleat the edges, nipping each pleat to further seal the dumpling.
Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
2 Heat oil in a wok. Deep-fry dumplings until golden brown.
3 Garnish with mayonnaise and serve immediately.
34 s ea fo o d

crispy bread rolls xiang cui tu si
These fun and delightful bread rolls are a creative way of serving sandwiches. Instead of
placing the filling between bread, it is wrapped into a roll and then deep-fried for added
crisp and flavour. Ma k es a b o u t 6 r olls
Celery 1 stalk S ea so n in g
Carrot 1, peeled Salt 1 g (1/30 oz)
1
Prawns (shrimp) 150 g (5 /3 oz) Chicken powder 1 g (1/30 oz)
Squid paste 50 g (11/3 oz) Sugar 2 g (1/15 oz)
Square bread slices 6 Ground white pepper a dash
Cooking oil for deep-frying Sesame oil a dash
1 Trim celery and carrots into thin strips. Each strip should be the same
length as the bread. Blanch celery and carrots in boiling water, then set
aside to cool.
2 Shell and de-vein prawns. Wash and drain well before processing into a
paste in a blender.
3 Mix squid paste with prawn paste, then add seasoning ingredients and
mix well. Chill in the refrigerator.
4 Meanwhile, flatten bread slices with a rolling pin. Trim away the crust
only on two opposite sides.
5 Place a slice of bread on a clean flat surface, with the trimmed side
facing you. Spoon prawn and squid filling along the centre of the bread.
Top with celery and carrot strips, then roll up into a cylinder. Repeat until
all ingredients are used up.
6 Heat oil in a wok. Deep-fry bread rolls until golden brown.
7 Trim away the ends with the crust, then halve each roll by slicing at a
45-degree angle and serve immediately.
s ea fo o d 37

mini salmon toast san wen yu tu si
Sort of an open-face sandwich, these mini toasts are made from healthy ingredients like
salmon and celery. Deep-fried to golden brown perfection, these are addictive snacks that
make very good appetisers. M ak es a bout 40 pieces
Square bread slices 10
Black sesame seeds 20 g (2/3 oz)
White sesame seeds 150 g (51/3 oz)
F illin g
Salmon 100 g (31/2 oz), minced
Squid paste 200 g (7 oz)
Diced onion 15 g (1/2 oz)
Diced celery 15 g (1/2 oz)
Sea so n in g
Salt 1 g (1/30 oz)
Sugar 4 g (1/7 oz)
Sesame oil a dash
1 Prepare filling. Mix salmon and squid paste together. Add seasoning
ingredients and mix evenly.
2 Mix in diced onion and celery. Set aside.
3 Using a round cutter, cut out rounds from bread slices.
4 Spoon filling onto each bread round.
5 Mix black and white sesame seeds together. Lightly dampen filing and
coat with sesame seeds.
6 Heat oil in a wok. Deep-fry salmon toast until golden brown.
38 s ea fo o d

pomegranate-shaped prawns shi liu xia
A variant of deep-fried prawn dumplings, these snacks are shaped to resemble the
interesting shape of a pomegranate. Ma k es a bout 50 pieces
Spring roll wrappers 50 S ea so n in g

Flour mixture 2 tsp plain (all-purpose) Salt 3 g (1/10 oz)
flour + 2 tsp water
Seaweed strips for wrapping
Sugar 5 g (1/6 oz)
F illin g Sesame oil a dash

1
Prawns (shrimp) 350 g (12 /2 oz)
1 Preparing filling. Shell and de-vein prawns. Wash and drain well
before processing into a paste in a blender.
2 Mix in squid paste. Add potato starch and mix until sticky.
3 Add seasoning ingredients and mix well.
4 Divide filling into 50 balls. Cook in boiling water until they float. Set
aside to cool.
5 Place a ball of filling at the centre of a sheet of spring roll wrapper.
Roll it up like a cylinder, with the filling in the middle. Seal the
opening with flour mixture. Bunch both ends to resemble a wrapped
candy. Secure each bunched end with a strip of seaweed, sealing the
opening with flour mixture.
6 Heat oil in a wok. Deep-fry pomegranate prawns until golden brown.
7 Serve immediately with mayonnaise.
s ea fo o d 41

spicy sour wonton hong you chou shou
Dim sum features a good number of prawn and seafood snacks. Another variant of prawn
dumplings, this version has a spicy kick that adds flavour to wonton that is boiled instead
of deep-fried. Ma k es a b o u t 3 0 p ieces
White square wonton skin 30 sheets Fillin g
Sp icy so u r sa u ce
Cooking oil 50 ml (12/3 fl oz)
Salt 1 g (1/30 oz)
Chilli oil 35 ml (11/5 fl oz)
Minced garlic 35 g (11/4 oz)
Sugar 3 g (1/10 oz)
Minced shallots 35 g (11/4 oz)
Sugar 100 g (31/2 oz)
Sesame oil a dash
Cooking oil a dash
Salt 6 g (1/5 oz)
White vinegar 110 ml (32/3 fl oz)
Spicy broad bean paste 150 ml (5 fl oz)
Seafood (hoisin) sauce 150 ml (5 fl oz)
1 Prepare spicy sour sauce. Heat cooking oil in a wok. Add chilli oil,
garlic and shallots. Fry until fragrant.
2 Add the rest of the spicy sour sauce ingredients and bring to a boil.
Remove from heat and keep warm.
3 Mix filling ingredients together in a bowl.
4 Lay a sheet of wonton skin on a clean flat surface such that the
pointed tip is facing you. Spoon filling at the centre of the wonton
skin. Wrap the bottom tip over the filling and roll it up halfway.
5 Fold one of the side flaps over the filling, pressing gently to secure
the fold.
6 Cook wonton in boiling water until they float and the prawns look
pink underneath the wonton skin.
7 Drain off water and dish out.
8 Pour spicy sour sauce over the wonton.
9 Garnish as desired and serve immediately.
42 s ea fo o d

stuffed vegetables niang san bao
This is actually yong tau foo served with a savoury sauce. In Chinese, niang means
“stuffed”, and san bao means “three treasures”, referring to the eggplant, red chilli, and
capsicum. Ma k es a b o u t 3 5 p iec es
Eggplant (aubergine/brinjal) 1, cut into S au ce

1 cm (1/2 in) thick rounds
Salt a pinch
Red chillies 3
Chicken powder a pinch
Capsicum (bell pepper) 1
Sugar a pinch
Potato starch for coating
Black soy sauce a dash
Cooking oil for pan-frying
Oyster sauce a dash
F illin g Minced garlic 1 tsp
Prawns (shrimps) 200 g (7 oz) Potato starch a pinch

Salt 2 g (1/15 oz)
Sugar 6 g (1/5 oz)
Sesame oil a dash
1 Butterfly each eggplant round.
2 Slit chillies lengthwise to de-seed, then halve them horizontally.
3 Cut capsicum in half and remove the core. Cut each half into quarters.
4 Coat the insides of the vegetables with potato starch.
chopping into smaller pieces.
6 Mix in seasoning ingredients, followed by squid paste. Stir until mixture
is sticky. Apply filling onto vegetables.
7 Heat a pan for about 1 minute. Add 2 Tbsp oil and arrange stuffed
vegetables, filling side down, to pan-fry for about 1 minute.
8 Ladle in about 125 ml (4 fl oz / 1/2 cup) water and cover with a lid. Cook
for about 4 minutes more.
9 Meanwhile, mix sauce ingredients together. Dish out stuffed vegetables
and serve with the sauce.
s ea fo o d 45

02 16 Dec Meat.indd 46 7/1/14 12:14 PM
meat
siew mai 48
soup dumplings 51
steamed pork ribs with fermented black beans 52
phoenix claws 55
paper-wrapped chicken 56
deep-fried bean curd rolls with seaweed 59
sweet and savoury dumplings 60
pan-fried meat buns 62
chives dumplings 65
mini chicken frank rolls 66
bean curd rolls with oyster sauce 69
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 47 7/1/14 12:14 PM

siew mai shao mai
A classic dim sum snack, siew mai, or pork dumplings, are generously packed
with meat, prawns and mushrooms. Best enjoyed piping hot and straight from
the steamer basket. M a k es a b o ut 40 pieces
Siew mai skin about 40 pieces
Prawn roe (ebiko) for garnishing
F illin g
Minced pork 300 g (101/2 oz)
Prawn (shrimp) 200 g (7 oz)
Chinese mushrooms 50 g (12/3 oz)
Minced pork fat 50 g (12/3 oz)
Sea so n in g
Salt 6 g (1/5 oz)
Sugar 15 g (1/2 oz)
Cooking oil 10 g (1/3 oz)
Sesame oil a dash
1 Mix all ingredients for filling. Add all seasoning ingredients and mix well.
Cover with cling film and leave to marinate for at least 10 minutes in the
refrigerator.
2 Scoop filling onto siew mai skin, leaving a 0.5-cm (1/4-in) margin
all around.
3 Form a circle with your thumb and forefinger. Place the siew mai skin
with filling on top of the circle and gently push downwards until the skin
wraps around the filling in a cylindrical shape. Gently flatten the top to
compact the filling. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
4 Grease the base of the steamer or line the bottom with steamer paper.
Place siew mai onto the steamer and steam for 7 minutes over high heat.
5 Garnish with prawn roe and serve immediately.
48 m ea t
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 48 7/1/14 12:14 PM

02 16 Dec Meat.indd 49 7/1/14 12:14 PM
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 50 7/1/14 12:14 PM
soup dumplings xiao long bao
This recipe for the famous soup dumplings, or xiao long bao, is a version from the
southern Chinese. Unlike soup dumplings from the northern parts, the pleats are less
defined and there is not as much soup within these dumplings. Ma k es a bout 30 pie ce s
Carrot 1, peeled and sliced into thin rounds Mea t fillin g

Chopped spring onion (scallion) 10 g Minced pork 300 g (101/2 oz)
(1/2 oz)
Oyster sauce 1 tsp
Cooking oil 1 Tbsp
Gela t in mi xture Salt a pinch
Concentrated chicken stock 20 ml Chicken powder 3 g (1/10 oz)

(2/3 fl oz) Sugar 10 g (1/3 oz)
1
Boiling water 300 ml (10 fl oz / 1 /4 cups) Sesame oil a dash
2
Gelatin powder 20 g ( /3 oz) Ground white pepper a dash
Ginger juice 1/2 tsp
Do u g h
Hong kong flour 100 g (31/2 oz)
Bread flour 100 g (31/2 oz)
Salt a dash
Cooking oil a dash
Water 100 ml (31/3 fl oz)
1 Prepare gelatin mixture. Mix stock with water in a saucepan. Add gelatin
powder and bring to a boil. Set aside to cool.
2 In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients for meat filling. Cover with cling
film and leave to marinate for about 1 hour in the refrigerator.
3 Meanwhile, blanch carrot rounds in boiling water. Set aside.
4 Add gelatin mixture to meat filling. Mix in spring onion and oil. Set aside.
5 Combine dough ingredients. Mix well until a smooth dough is formed.
6 On a floured surface, roll dough into a long cylinder. Cut dough into
30 equal pieces. Using a rolling pin, roll out each piece into thin
dough rounds.
7 Spoon combined meat and gelatin filling onto each dough round. Pleat to
seal up filling. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
8 Arrange carrot rounds onto steamer. Place a dumpling on top of each
carrot round. Steam for 5 minutes over high heat. Serve immediately.
mea t 51
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 51 7/1/14 12:14 PM

steamed pork ribs with fermented
black beans dou chi zheng pai gu
Leave some fat on the pork ribs, as this will give a smoother texture to the cooked
meat. Cooked together with fragrant garlic and other seasoning ingredients, this goes
very well with steamed rice too. S er ves 5–6
Pork ribs 600 g (1 lb 52/5 oz)

Fermented black beans 1 Tbsp, rinsed
Pickled plum 1, de-seeded and chopped
Sesame oil a dash
Red chilli 1, de-seeded and sliced
Sea so n in g
Salt 6 g (1/5 oz)
Sugar 16 g (1/2 oz)
1 Cut pork ribs into bite-size pieces.
2 Marinate pork ribs with potato starch for about half an hour.
3 Meanwhile, fry half of the garlic until browned and fragrant. Mix with
raw garlic and set aside.
4 Fry fermented black beans until fragrant. Set aside.
5 Rinse marinated pork ribs under running water and drain well.
6 Add seasoning ingredients and mix well.
7 Mix in remaining ingredients, except chilli slices, and steam for 8 minutes
over medium heat.
8 Garnish with chilli slices and serve immediately.
52 m ea t
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 52 7/1/14 12:14 PM

02 16 Dec Meat.indd 53 7/1/14 12:14 PM
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 54 7/1/14 12:14 PM
phoenix claws feng zhao
Phoenix claws is an elegant name for these fragrant chicken feet, which is very popular in
Chinese cuisine. Serves 5–6
Chicken claws 600 g (1 lb 52/5 oz) S a u ce
Vinegar 1 tsp Minced garlic 20 g (2/3 oz)
Maltose 1 tsp Fermented black beans 1 Tbsp, rinsed
Cooking oil for deep-frying Char siew sauce 2 tsp
Spring onion (scallion) 1 stalk, cut into Guilin chilli sauce 1 tsp
5-cm (3-in) lengths
Chu hou sauce 1 tsp
Star anise 5
Seafood (hoisin) sauce 2 tsp
Szechuan peppercorns 3 g (1/10 oz)
Salt 5 g (1/6 oz)
Ginger slices 30 g (1 oz)
Red chillies 3, de-seeded and sliced
Sesame oil a dash
S ea s o n ing Cooking oil a dash
Salt 1 tsp
Chicken powder 1 tsp
Sugar 1 tsp
Sesame oil a dash
1 Wash chicken claws and cut off nails from the tips, then halve each claw.
2 Coat chicken claws evenly with vinegar and maltose. Blanch in boiling
water, then set aside.
3 Heat oil in a wok. Deep-fry chicken claws over high heat until golden
brown. Remove from heat and place chicken claws into a mixing bowl.
Mix seasoning ingredients with chicken claws.
4 Add spring onion, star anise, Szechuan peppercorns and ginger slices.
Pour in just enough water to cover chicken claws. Boil or steam for
45 minutes over medium heat.
5 Meanwhile, prepare sauce ingredients. Fry half of the garlic until
browned and fragrant. Mix with raw garlic and set aside. Fry fermented
black beans until fragrant and set aside.
6 Rinse chicken claws under cold running water. Drain and coat evenly with
potato starch.
7 Mix all sauce ingredients together. Pour the sauce over coated chicken
claws and steam for 5 minutes over medium heat.
8 Garnish with chilli slices and serve immediately.
mea t 55
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 55 7/1/14 12:14 PM

paper-wrapped chicken zhi bao ji
While this dish may be a little messy to eat, it is hard to resist tasty chicken thigh meat
that is marinated with a good number of spices. Ma k es 12–15 pa ck ets
Chicken thigh 300 g (101/2 oz)

Paper wrappers 15 packets
Flour mixture 2 tsp plain (all-purpose) flour
+ 2 tsp water
Sea so n in g
Salt 2 g (1/15 oz)
Sugar 4 g (1/7 oz)
Sesame oil 3 ml (1/10 fl oz)
Oyster sauce 1 tsp
Dark soy sauce 3 ml (1/10 fl oz)
Ginger juice 10 ml (1/3 fl oz)
Rice wine 10 ml (1/3 fl oz)
1 Cut chicken thigh into smaller pieces.
2 Mix all seasoning ingredients together and use the mixture to marinate
chicken pieces.
3 Pack chicken pieces into paper wrappers. Fold the open edges down and
seal with flour mixture.
4 Heat oil in a wok. Deep fry paper-wrapped chicken until golden brown.
56 m ea t
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 56 7/1/14 12:14 PM

02 16 Dec Meat.indd 57 7/1/14 12:14 PM
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 58 7/1/14 12:14 PM
deep-fried bean curd rolls
with seaweed zhi cai fu pi juan
Bean curd sheets are used as wrappers for many deep-fried dishes, as
the pleasing result of a fragrant crispy skin goes with almost any kind
of filling. Ma k es a b o u t 3 5 p iec es
Bean curd sheets 2, large S ea so n in g

Seaweed strips for wrapping Salt 5 g (1/6 oz)
Cooking oil for deep-frying Chicken powder 5 g (1/6 oz)
Flour mixture 2 tsp plain (all-purpose) Sugar 15 g (1/2 oz)
flour + 2 tsp water
F illin g Ground white pepper a dash
Prawns (shrimp) 150 g (51/3 oz) Sesame oil a dash
Minced pork 300 g (101/2 oz) Cooking oil a dash
1 Cut bean curd sheets into 10-cm (4-in) squares. Set aside.
chopping into smaller pieces. Mix in minced pork.
3 Add seasoning ingredients to filling and mix well.
4 Lay a bean curd sheet on a clean flat surface. Spoon filling along the
bottom edge of the bean curd sheet. Roll it up into a flat rectangular
parcel. Dab flour mixture along the edges to seal it. Repeat until all
ingredients are used up.
5 Wrap a strip of seaweed around the middle of each parcel.
6 Heat oil in a wok. Deep-fry bean curd rolls until golden brown.
mea t 59
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 59 7/1/14 12:14 PM

sweet and savoury dumplings xian shui jiao
This is a unique meat dumpling as the dough is slightly sweet and crispy. The combination
of semi sweet and savoury flavours makes this a pleasing snack. Ma k es a bout 25 dum pl i ngs
Sweet pastry dough (see page 111) 500 g Sea so n in g

(1 lb 11/2 oz)
Minced garlic 1 tsp
Potato starch mixture 2 tsp potato starch
+ 4 tsp water
Sesame oil a dash
Sugar a pinch
FIllin g Salt a pinch
Minced pork 100 g (31/2 oz) Ground white pepper a dash
1
Chinese mushrooms 10 g ( /3 oz)
Salted vegetables 3 g (1/10 oz)
1 Blanch filling ingredients in boiling water. Drain and pat dry. Mix in
seasoning ingredients, then thicken with potato starch mixture. Cover
with cling film and leave to cool. Refrigerate for 1–2 hours.
2 On a floured surface, roll dough into a long cylinder. Cut dough into equal
pieces, each about 20 g (2/3 oz). Lightly flatten each piece into a 0.5 cm
(1/4 in) thick round disc.
3 Scoop a small dollop of filling onto the centre of each dough round. Seal
the filling and mould into a rugby ball shape.
4 Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Insert a wooden chopstick into the
oil to test its temperature. Oil is ready for deep-frying when bubbles
form round the chopstick. Turn off heat before adding dumplings into
the oil, otherwise, the heavy dumplings will sink to the bottom and get
burnt from the high heat. Use chopsticks to stir occasionally to prevent
dumplings from sticking together.
5 When dumplings start to float, turn on to high heat again and deep-
fry until golden brown. This will force out excess oil that was absorbed
during the initial frying.
Note: Deep-fry dumplings in batches so that the oil temperature stays

constant. If the wok is overcrowded, the oil temperature will drop and the
dumplings will absorb excess oil during cooking.
60 m ea t
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 60 7/1/14 12:14 PM

02 16 Dec Meat.indd 61 7/1/14 12:14 PM
pan-fried meat buns sheng jian bao
This Shanghainese treat is a popular favourite. With succulent filling of cabbage and
minced pork encased in fragrant dough, these meat buns are first steamed before pan-
frying, giving them a soft pillowy texture and a slightly crisp crust. Ma k es a bout 25 buns
Bun pastry dough (see page 110) 540 g (1 lb 3 oz)

Chopped spring onion (scallion) 30 g (1 oz)
Cooking oil for pan-frying
F illin g
Cabbage 100 g (31/2 oz), finely chopped
Sea so n in g
Salt a pinch
Sugar 10 g (1/3 oz)
Oil a dash
Sesame oil a dash
Ginger juice a dash
1 Prepare filling. Blanch cabbage in boiling water. Drain and set aside.
2 Add seasoning ingredients to minced pork and mix well. Mix in

blanched cabbage. Cover with cling film and chill in the refrigerator
for 20–30 minutes.
3 On a floured surface, roll dough into a long cylinder. Divide dough into
25 equal pieces.
4 Lightly flatten each piece into a flat round disc. Spoon filling into
dough round and form pleats at the top to seal it.
5 Dampen the tops of the buns and coat with spring onions.
6 Leave buns to prove for 45 minutes.
7 Steam buns for 4 minutes over high heat.
8 Heat oil in a wok. Pan-fry buns until golden brown.
62 m ea t
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 62 7/1/14 12:14 PM

02 16 Dec Meat.indd 63 7/1/14 12:14 PM
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 64 7/1/14 12:14 PM
chives dumplings jiu cai jiao zi
This is similar to the Japanese gyoza. Other than having slightly different fillings, both
are cooked in the same way. Prior to steaming, the dumplings are pan-fried until the
bases are browned and stuck to the pan, thus its Chinese name guo tie, which literally
means “sticking to the pan”. Ma k es a bout 35 pieces
Chives 100 g (31/2 oz), chopped P a str y

Cooking oil 1 Tbsp Hong Kong flour 200 g (7 oz)
Bread flour 50 g (12/3 oz)
F illin g
Cooking oil a dash
Salt 2 g (1/15 oz)
Salt a pinch
Sugar 10 g (1/3 oz)
Sesame oil a dash
Ginger juice a dash
1 Mix filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix in chopped chives,

cover with cling film and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes.
2 Mix pastry ingredients together until a smooth dough forms.
3 On a floured surface, roll dough into a long cylinder. Divide dough into
35 equal pieces.
4 Lightly flatten each piece into a flat round disc. Spoon filling into dough
round and form pleats at the top to seal it.
5 Heat oil in a pan. Arrange each dumpling to sit nicely on its flat side in
the pan. Leave dumplings to pan-fry until the bases have browned.
6 Add water until it is about 1 cm (1/2 in) high. Cover and leave dumplings
to cook over high heat until water has almost evaporated.
mea t 65
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 65 7/1/14 12:14 PM

mini chicken frank rolls zhi cai ji juan
These adorable mini rolls may look fancy, but they are not difficult to make
at all. Ma k es a b o u t 3 0 p iec es
Seaweed 1 large sheet, 20 x 30 cm

(8 x 12 in)
Chicken franks 10, cut into 3 sections
Dough
Hong Kong flour 150 g (51/3 oz)
Baking powder 6 g (1/5 oz)
Sugar 55 g (2 oz)
1 Prepare dough. Add all ingredients, except water, into a mixing bowl.
Make a well in the centre. Pour water into the well and mix until a
smooth dough forms.
2 On a floured surface, roll out dough into a 30 x 30-cm (12 x 12-in)
sheet. Dough should be as thin as possible.
3 Dampen the surface of the dough sheet and apply a sheet of seaweed
on top.
4 Roll up dough into a cylinder. The roll should not be too tight or too
loose, and should have a diameter of about 4 cm (13/4 in). Cover with
cling film and leave to chill in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.
5 Cut chilled dough into thin oval sheets, each about 3 mm (1/8 in) thick.
Do this by slicing at a 45-degree angle starting from one end of
the dough.
6 Wrap a dough sheet around a piece of chicken frank. Repeat until all
7 Steam for 3–4 minutes over high heat.
66 m ea t
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 66 7/1/14 12:14 PM

02 16 Dec Meat.indd 67 7/1/14 12:14 PM
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 68 7/1/14 12:14 PM
bean curd rolls with oyster sauce xian zhu juan
The rich and fragrant oyster sauce is the star of this dish. Ma k es a bout 25 pieces
Bean curd sheets 2, large S au ce

Carrot 20 g (2/3 oz), diced Shredded ginger 5 g (1/6 oz)
Chopped spring onion (scallion) 20 g Spring onion (scallion) 1 stalk, chopped
(2/3 oz)
Cooking oil 1 Tbsp
Potato starch for dusting
Salt a pinch
Cooking oil for frying
Sugar a pinch
+ 4 tsp water
Sesame oil a dash
F illin g Oyster sauce a dash
1
Minced pork 300 g (10 / oz) 2 Ground white pepper a dash
Prawns (shrimps) 150 g (51/3 oz), shelled, Water 60 ml (2 fl oz / 1/4 cup)
deveined and chopped into smaller
pieces
S ea s o n ing
Salt 5 g (1/6 oz)
Sugar 15 g (1/2 oz)
Sesame oil a dash
1 Cut bean curd sheets into 10-cm (4-in) squares. Set aside.
2 Mix seasoning with carrot and spring onion. Mix in filling ingredients.
3 Lay a sheet of trimmed bean curd skin on a clean flat surface. Spoon
filling along the lower edge of bean curd skin. Fold the sides inwards
before rolling up into a cylinder. Dust with potato starch to prevent
sticking during deep-frying. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
4 Heat oil in a wok. Deep-fry bean curd rolls until golden brown. Drain off
oil and set aside.
5 Prepare sauce. Heat oil in a wok. Fry ginger and spring onion until
fragrant. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients, except potato starch
mixture. Bring to a boil.
6 Stir in potato starch mixture and cook for 1 minute more.
7 Pour sauce over bean curd rolls.
mea t 69
02 16 Dec Meat.indd 69 7/1/14 12:14 PM

03 16 Dec rice and savoury cakes.indd 70 7/1/14 12:15 PM
rice and
savoury cakes
glutinous rice in lotus leaf 72
yam cake 75
lor mai kai 76
fan choy 79
pan-fried carrot cake 80

glutinous rice in lotus leaf he ye fan
The lotus leaf imparts an aromatic fragrance to the filling. Ma k es a bout 16 pa r ce l s
Lotus leaves 4
Glutinous rice 600 g (1 lb 52/5 oz), Sea so n in g
washed Salt 9 g (1/3 oz)
Water about 400 ml (131/2 fl oz) Chicken powder 9 g (1/3 oz)
Cooking oil for pan-frying Sugar 25 g (4/5 oz)
Chinese sausage 80 g (24/5 oz) Ground white pepper a dash
Dried shrimps 80 g (24/5 oz) Sesame oil a dash
1
Chinese mushrooms 40 g (1 /3 oz) Dark soy sauce a dash
Braised peanuts 1 can, about 170 g Boiling water 150 ml (5 fl oz)
(6 oz)
Chopped spring onion (scallion) 30
g (1 oz)
Fried shallots 30 g (1 oz) + more for
garnishing
1 Cut off the tough base of each lotus leaf. Trim away the rough edges and
halve it. Cut each leaf into four equal portions.
2 Blanch lotus leaves in boiling water. Set aside to cool.
3 Add water to glutinous rice. The water level should be about the same
height as the glutinous rice. Steam for 45 minutes.
4 Meanwhile, heat oil in a wok. Pan-frying sausage, dried shrimps and
mushrooms until fragrant. Add braised peanuts and stir to mix briefly.
Remove from heat and add to steamed glutinous rice.
5 Add seasoning ingredients to glutinous rice mixture and mix well.
6 Stir in spring onion and fried shallots. Divide into 16 portions.
7 Place each portion onto the centre of a sheet of lotus leaf. Bring both
sides of the lotus leaf over the glutinous rice mixture, then roll up into a
rectangular parcel. Repeat until all parcels are wrapped.
8 Steam for 5 minutes over medium heat.
Note: If you do not wish to cook all the portions at one go, the remainder can be stored
in the freezer for 1–2 weeks.
72 ri ce a nd s avour y c ake s

yam cake yu tou gao
Usually served in squares, this popular breakfast food gets a modern twist here as it is
served in mini bowls. The defining features of this yam cake are its garnishing and sauce,
which are always part of the dish. Ma k es a bout 20 s ma ll ca k es
Yam 1, peeled Ga r n ish in g
Cooking oil for deep-frying and pan-frying Dried shimps 40 g (11/3 oz), chopped
Boiling water 800 ml (27 fl oz) Chinese sausage 40 g (11/3 oz), chopped
Fried shallots 20 g (2/3 oz)
Ba t t er
Chopped spring onion (scallion) 20 g
Rice flour 150 g (51/3 oz)
(2/3 oz)
1
Wheat starch 35 g (1 /4 oz)
Potato starch 35 g (11/4 oz) Sa u ce
Salt 10 g (1/3 oz) Light soy sauce 100 ml (31/3 fl oz)
Chicken powder 10 g (1/3 oz) Dark soy sauce 10 ml (1/3 fl oz)
Sugar 35 g (11/4 oz) Chicken powder 12 g (1/3 oz)
Water 600 ml (19 fl oz) Sugar 50 g (12/3 oz)
Pepper a dash Water 300 ml (10 fl oz / 11/4 cups)
Sesame oil a dash

Cooking oil a dash
1 Dice yam into small cubes. Deep-fry yam cubes until browned and
set aside.
2 Combine batter ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir in boiling water
and mix well. Ladle into individual serving bowls or into one large
tray. Steam for 40 minutes over high heat.
3 Meanwhile, prepare garnishing. Heat oil in a wok. Pan-fry dried
shimps and sausage until fragrant. Remove from heat, then mix in
fried shallots and spring onion. Set aside.
4 Mix all ingredients for the sauce.
5 When yam cake is ready, top with garnishing and spoon sauce over
it. Serve immediately.
rice and savour y ca kes 75

lor mai kai steamed chicken glutinous rice
Well seasoned and fragrant, this hearty snack of savoury glutinous rice and
smooth chicken thigh is a favourite among dim sum lovers. Because it is filling,
most people share a serving among a few persons so that they are not too full to
enjoy other dim sum snacks. M a k es a bout 15 por tions
Glutinous rice 600 g (1 lb 52/5 oz) Ma r in a d e

Water 400 ml (131/2 fl oz) Potato starch 6 g (1/5 oz)
Boneless chicken thigh 300 g (101/2 oz), Chicken powder 3 g (1/10 oz)
cut into bite-size pieces
Salt 3 g (1/10 oz)
S ea s o n ing Sugar 8 g (1/5 oz)
Chicken powder 6 g (1/5 oz) Oyster sauce 1 tsp
Salt 6 g (1/5 oz) Sesame oil a dash
Sugar 30 g (1 oz) Cooking oil a dash
Oyster sauce 2 Tbsp Ground white pepper a dash
Boiling water 300 ml (10 fl oz / 11/4 cups) Dark soy sauce a dash
Sesame oil a dash

Cooking oil a dash
Dark soy sauce a dash
1 Steam glutinous rice with water for 45 minutes. Stir in seasoning

ingredients and mix evenly.
2 Coat chicken pieces evenly with marinade ingredients. Arrange marinated
chicken pieces at the bottom of each aluminium case. Top with glutinous
rice until each case is full.
Note: If you do not wish to cook all the portions at one go, the remainder can be stored in
the freezer for 1–2 weeks.

fan choy steamed char siew and egg rice
This is a savoury dish that is slightly sweeter than lor mai kai, as the char siew sauce is
the main seasoning ingredient. The combination of fragrant char siew, seasoned rice and
hardboiled egg makes this a filling dish. Like the lor mai kai, a serving of fan choy is
usually shared among two to four persons. Ma k es a bout 16 por tions
Jasmine rice 800 g (13/4 lb), steamed with

800 ml (27 fl oz) water
Char siew 300 g (101/2 oz)
Hardboiled eggs 3, peeled
Sea so n in g
Salt 12 g (1/3 oz)
Sugar 20 g (2/3 oz)
Oyster sauce 50 ml (12/3 fl oz)
Seafood (hoisin) sauce 50 ml (12/3 fl oz)
Char siew sauce 50 ml (12/3 fl oz)
Dark soy sauce 2 Tbsp
Sesame oil 10 ml (1/3 fl oz)
Pepper a dash
Boiling water 100 ml (31/3 fl oz)
1 Mix all seasoning ingredients together and add to steamed rice.

Set aside.
2 Cut char siew into slices and cut the eggs into wedges.
3 Arrange char siew slices and egg wedges at the bottom of each
aluminium foil case. Top with rice until each case is full.
Note: If you do not wish to cook all the portions at one go, the remainder can be
stored in the freezer for 1–2 weeks.
rice and savour y ca kes 79

pan-fried carrot cake luo bo gao
Somewhat of a misnomer, the classic carrot cake is actually flavoured by radish. Radish
and carrot are both called luo bo in Mandarin, which most probably led to this dish being
named as such. S er ves 3 – 4
Cooking oil for frying Ba tter

Dried shrimps 20 g (2/3 oz), rinsed, Rice flour 160 g (52/3 oz)
soaked and chopped
2
Chinese sausage 20 g ( /3 oz), chopped
Wheat starch 20 g (2/3 oz)
Radish 100 g (31/2 oz), peeled and
Sugar 20 g (2/3 oz)
shredded
Water 500 ml (16 fl oz / 2 cups)
Salt 4 g (1/7 oz)
Sesame oil a dash
1 Mix batter ingredients together. Stir well and set aside.
2 Heat oil in a wok. Fry shrimps, sausage and radish until fragrant.
3 Bring 500 ml (16 fl oz / 2 cups) water to a boil. Add in fried ingredients.

Add this mixture to the batter and stir to mix well.
4 Transfer batter to a tray and steam for 35 minutes over high heat.
5 Leave to cool and refrigerate overnight.
6 Heat oil in a wok. Pan-fry until browned.
7 Serve immediately with chilli sauce.

04 16 Dec pastries and desserts.indd 82 7/1/14 12:15 PM
pastries and
desserts
glutinous rice balls with grated coconut 84
sweet potato dumplings 87
snow skin dumplings 88
salted egg yolk custard buns 91
deep-fried glutinous rice balls 92
crispy yam dumplings 95
deep-fried custard buns 96
egg tarts 99
lotus rolls 100
leaf cookies 103
walnut cookies 104
butter cookies 107

glutinous rice balls with grated coconut
nuo mi ci
Coated with snowy white grated coconut, each of these glutinous rice balls is a generous
filling of red bean paste encased in soft chewy dough. Ma k es a bout 25 r ice ba lls
Sweet pastry dough (see page 111) 500 g

(1 lb 11/2 oz)
Red bean paste 200 g (7 oz)
Grated coconut 200 g (7 oz)
2 Scoop a small dollop of red bean paste onto the centre of each dough
round. Seal the red bean filling and mould into a round ball. Repeat until
all ingredients are used up.
3 Steam for about 5 minutes over medium heat.
4 Coat evenly with grated coconut and serve immediately.
84 p a s t ri e s and d e s s er t s

sweet potato dumplings hong shu gao
Shape these dumplings as desired to create fancy snacks that will appeal to
the young and old. Feel free to replace the green tea paste with other types of
filling. M a k es a b o u t 3 0 p iec es
Purple sweet potato 110 g (4 oz), peeled

and sliced
Wheat starch 100 g (31/2 oz)
Boiling water 100 ml (31/3 fl oz)
Sugar 20 g (2/3 oz)
Butter 50 g (12/3 oz)
Green tea paste 200 g (7 oz)
1 Steam sweet potato slices until soft. Mash and set aside.
2 Pour wheat starch into a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre.
Pour boiling water into the well and stir to mix. Add mashed sweet
potato and knead to mix evenly.
3 Add sugar and butter. Knead until well incorporated. Cover with cling
film and leave to chill in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes.
4 Divide chilled dough into small dough rounds. Flatten each round and
place green tea paste in the centre. Wrap dough around the green tea
filling and mould it into the shape of an eggplant.
5 Roll small strips of green tea paste. Gently adhere two strips in a cross
over the top of each eggplant to complete the shape.
6 Steam for 3 minutes over high heat and serve immediately.
pas tries and d es s er t s 87

snow skin dumplings bing pi gao
This recipe uses a walnut-shaped mould and coffee-flavoured milk for a rich smooth
taste. Choose a flavoured milk of your choice and mould each dumpling into any desired
shape to create your own version of this delightful treat. Ma k es a bout 16 dumplings
Rice flour 75 g (22/3 oz)

Glutinous rice flour 45 g (11/2 oz)
Full cream milk of desired flavour
275 ml (91/3 fl oz)
Sugar 75 g (22/3 oz)
Butter 30 g (1 oz)
Fillin g
Lotus, red bean or green tea paste
200 g (7 oz)
1 Mix all ingredients, except the filling, in a mixing bowl. Stir to mix
well. Cover and cook for 10 minutes over high heat, stirring every
2–3 minutes, until the dough is no longer watery.
2 Knead dough until smooth.
3 Roll dough into a long cylinder about 2 cm (14/5 in) in diameter.

Cut out smaller pieces, each of about 2 cm (14/5 in in) long.
4 Lightly flatten each piece into a 0.5 cm (1/4 in) thick round disc.
5 Scoop a small dollop of filling onto the centre of each dough round.
Seal the filling and mould into desired shape. Repeat until all

salted egg yolk custard buns
liu sha bao
This is a fairly modern addition to the dim sum menu, and is very popular because of the
rich lava of salted egg yolk custard. Ma k es a bout 20 s ma ll buns
Bun pastry dough (see page 110) 250 g

(9 oz)
Cu s t a rd fi l l i ng
Salted egg yolks 70 g (21/2 oz)
Castor sugar 140 g (5 oz)
Full cream milk 10 ml (1/3 fl oz)
Milk powder 50 g (12/3 oz)
Custard powder 50 g (12/3 oz)
1 Prepare custard filling. Steam salted egg yolks over medium heat for
about 5 minutes. Mash and add remaining ingredients for the filling.
Mix well and chill in the freezer until it is of ice-cream consistency.
2 Roll dough into a long cylinder. Divide dough into 20 smaller pieces.
Lightly flatten each piece into a 0.5 cm (1/4 in) thick round disc.
3 Using a melon baller, scoop out balls of frozen custard filling.
4 Place each ball of custard filling onto the centre of a dough round. Seal
filling and roll into a ball, then place into a mini tart tin lined with tart
liner. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
5 Leave buns to prove for 45 minutes.
6 Steam for 4 minutes over medium heat, opening the lid halfway through
for a few seconds to release heat, or the dough may crack from the high
heat, causing the custard to flow out.

deep-fried glutinous rice balls jian dui
This is sold in many Chinese food eateries or snack stalls. The generous filling of
lotus paste encased in a sweet crispy dough is made all the more fragrant with
sesame seeds. M a k es a b o u t 2 5 b a lls
Sweet pastry dough (see page 111) 500 g

(1 lb 11/2 oz)
Lotus paste 200 g (7 oz)
White sesame seeds 20 g (2/3 oz)
2 Scoop a small dollop of lotus paste onto the centre of each dough round.
Seal the lotus paste filling and mould into a round ball. Dampen it and
coat all over with sesame seeds. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
3 Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Insert a wooden chopstick into the oil
to test its temperature. Oil is ready for deep-frying when bubbles form
round the chopstick. Turn off heat before adding rice balls into the oil,
otherwise, due to the heavy filling, they will sink to the bottom and get
burnt from the high heat. Use chopsticks to stir occasionally to prevent
them from sticking together.
4 When the rice balls start to float, turn on to high heat again and deep-
fry until golden brown. This will force out excess oil that was absorbed
during the initial frying.
Note: Deep-fry rice balls in batches so that the oil temperature stays
constant. If the wok is overcrowded, the oil temperature will drop and the
rice balls will absorb excess oil during cooking.

crispy yam dumplings wu kok
Sweet mashed yam with moist meat filling, deep-fried to a crisp golden brown — a
mouth-watering combination that is popular with the young and old! Makes about 18 pieces

+ 4 tsp water
Cooking oil for frying Mea t fillin g
Prawn cracker sticks for garnishing Minced pork 100 g (31/2 oz), blanched
Chinese mushrooms 10 g (1/3 oz),
Ya m d o u gh blanched
Yam 200 g (7 oz), peeled Minced garlic 1 tsp
Wheat starch 110 g (4 oz) Chicken powder a pinch
Boiling water 70 ml (22/5 fl oz) Sesame oil a dash
1
Salt 2 g ( /15 oz) Sugar a pinch
1
Chicken powder 3 g ( /10 oz) Salt a dash
Sugar 5 g (1/6 oz) Ground white pepper a dash
Sesame oil a dash
Shortening 90 g (31/5 oz)
1 Prepare yam dough. Slice yam and steam for about 45 minutes or until
soft. Mash into a paste.
2 Pour 70 g (21/2 oz) wheat starch into another mixing bowl. Add boilng
water and mix until a smooth dough forms. Add to mashed yam and mix.
Add remaining yam dough ingredients, except shortening and remaining
wheat starch, and mix well.
3 Add shortening and mix until well incorporated. Add remaining wheat
starch and knead until a smooth dough forms. Set aside.
4 Heat oil in a wok. Fry garlic until fragrant. Add blanched pork and
mushrooms, followed by the rest of the meat filling ingredients. Fry until
fragrant, then thicken with potato starch mixture. Set aside to cool, then
cover with cling film and chill in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes.
5 Divide yam dough into 18 equal pieces. Shape each piece to resemble a
small bowl. Spoon filling into the dough and wrap to seal it. Shape into a
ball and lightly dent the top. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
6 Heat oil in a wok. Deep fry yam dumplings until golden brown. Remove
from heat and drain off oil.
7 Garnish with prawn cracker sticks and serve immediately.

deep-fried custard buns
xiang zha nai huang bao
It’s hard to resist the sweet custard filling nestled within a light crisp pastry. This is both
a wonderful snack and a satisfying dessert. Ma k es a bout 25 buns
Bun pastry dough (see page 110) 250 g

(9 oz)
Cu sta rd
Eggs 3
Sugar 150 g (51/3 oz)
Butter 60 g (2 oz)
Coconut cream 1 tsp
Full cream milk 1 tsp
Condensed milk 1 tsp
Vanilla essence 1–2 drops
1 Combine custard ingredients in a bowl. Mix well and steam over medium
heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally during the cooking process.
2 When custard dries up into a thick paste, remove from heat and stir well
again. Set aside to cool before dividing into 25 portions, rolling each one
into a ball. Cover with cling film and chill in the refrigerator for
20–30 minutes.
3 Meanwhile, roll dough into a long cylinder. Divide dough into
25 smaller pieces.
4 Lightly flatten each piece into a 0.5 cm (1/4 in) thick round disc. Scoop a
ball of custard filling onto the centre of a dough round. Seal filling and
roll into a ball. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
5 Leave buns to prove for 45 minutes. Steam for 4 minutes over high heat.
6 Heat oil in a wok. Deep-fry custard buns until golden brown.

egg tarts dan ta
Found in Europe and Asia, this popular snack has also made its way to the dim sum
menu. It takes some effort to make the crust, but it will be worth it. Ma k es a bout 30 t art s
In n er c r us t *Syr u p
Salted butter 70 g (21/2 oz) Sugar 50 g (12/3 oz)
Shortening 220 g (74/5 oz) Water 75 ml (21/3 fl oz)
Hong Kong flour 200 g (7 oz)
C u sta rd
O u t er c r us t Eggs 90 g (31/5 oz)
Hong Kong flour 120 g (41/3 oz) Syrup* 80 ml (21/2 fl oz)
Bread flour 40 g (11/3 oz) Evaporated milk 12 ml (2/5 fl oz)
Custard powder 10 g (1/3 oz) Vanilla essence 1–2 drops
Egg 1 Yellow colouring 1–2 drops
3
Water 90 ml (3 fl oz / /8 cup)
1 Prepare dough for inner crust. Mix all ingredients for inner crust until a
smooth dough forms. Roll out dough into a 20 x 30-cm (8 x 12-in) sheet.
Line the base of a baking tray with cling film. Lay dough flat onto the
baking tray. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
2 Prepare dough for outer crust. Add dry ingredients for outer crust into
a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Add egg and water into the
well. Mix until a smooth dough forms. Roll out dough into a 20 x 30-cm
(8 x 12-in) sheet.
3 Press outer crust dough on top of chilled inner crust dough. Refrigerate
for another 10 minutes.
4 On a floured surface or a clean dry towel, fold the crust into three parts.
Flatten dough with a rolling pin. Repeat three times. Roll out dough until
0.5 cm (1/4 in) thick.
5 Cut out dough rounds with a round cutter of 5-cm (2-in) diameter. Press
each dough round into a fluted tart tin. The dough should be about 0.5 cm
(1/4 in) above the tart tin.
6 Preheat oven to 250˚C (475˚F).
7 Prepare syrup. Mix sugar and water and boil until it thickens. Leave to
cool before mixing with the custard ingredients. Pour custard into the
crusts until about 80 per cent full.
8 Bake egg tarts for about 15 minutes or until the crust turns crisp and
brown. Serve immediately.

lotus rolls lian rong su
The crust for these delicious lotus rolls is the same as the egg tart pastry. Serve these
warm to enjoy the most out of the crispy crust and smooth lotus paste. Makes about 40 rolls
Pastry (see page 99)

Lotus paste 150 g (51/3 oz)
Egg yolk 1, beaten
White sesame seeds for garnishing
Golden syrup or honey for glazing
1 Prepare pastry by following Steps 1–4 on page 99.
3 Place lotus paste near the bottom edge of the pastry dough and roll it up
into a long cylinder.
4 Starting at one end of the roll and slicing at a 45-degree angle, cut the
roll into equal pieces.
5 Brush each roll with egg yolk before baking for 10 minutes, until the
pastry turns golden brown.
6 Meanwhile, fry sesame seeds until fragrant.
7 Brush golden syrup or honey over baked lotus rolls and sprinkle over
sesame seeds.
100 p a s t r i e s a n d d e s s e r t s

leaf cookies ye zi bing
These are lotus paste cookies that are great as snacks. The leaf shape adds an interesting touch,
making this perfect for entertaining guests before or after a meal. Makes about 25 cookies
Lotus paste 200 g (7 oz)

Egg yolk 1, beaten
Pa s t r y
Planta margarine 100 g (31/2 oz)
Icing (confectioner’s) sugar 35 g (11/4 oz)
Egg 1
Colouring 1–2 drops, or as desired
1 Prepare pastry. Mix margarine and sugar until well incorporated. Mix in
egg. Add flour, followed by colouring. Knead until a smooth dough forms.
Leave dough to rest for 10 minutes.
2 Divide dough into 25 portions. On a floured surface, flatten each portion
by hand until about 0.5 cm (1/4 in) thick.
4 Wrap lotus paste inside each dough portion and mould into a teardrop
shape.
5 Lightly flatten each teardrop until it is in the shape of a leaf.
6 Impress lines to resemble veins on each leaf. Gently pinch the bottom
while making a few light dents along the edges to resemble the jagged
sides of a leaf.
7 Brush over with egg yolk before baking for 8 minutes, until cookies have
browned.
8 Glaze cookies with golden syrup or honey and serve immediately.
pas tries and d e s s e r t s 103

walnut cookies he tao su
The Chinese use walnuts in their food as well as in medicines, as they found
that walnuts contain health benefits. This recipe combines crunchy walnuts
with buttery pastry to make fragrant walnut cookies that are also familiar
to the western culture. M a k es a bout 25 cook ies
Lotus paste 300 g (101/2 oz)

Walnuts 50 g (12/3 oz)
Egg yolk 1, beaten
Pa str y
Sugar 130 g (42/3 oz)
Eggs 2
Baking soda 2 g (1/15 oz)
Shortening 50 g (12/3 oz)
1 Prepare pastry. Sift flour with baking powder into a mixing bowl. Mix
in the rest of the pastry ingredients. Stir to mix until a smooth dough
forms. Set dough aside to rest for 20 minutes.
4 Wrap lotus paste inside each dough portion and mould into a rectangular
shape.
5 Press walnuts into the sides of each cookie.
6 Brush cookies with egg yolk before baking for 10 minutes, until cookies
turn golden brown.
7 Glaze cookies with golden syrup or honey and serve immediately.
104 p a s t r i e s a n d d e s s e r t s

butter cookies niu you su
The classic butter cookie is enhanced by the addition of sweet
red bean paste in this recipe. M ak es a bout 45 cook ies
Red bean paste 300 g (101/2 oz)
Egg yolk 1, beaten
Pa s t r y
Butter 200 g (7 oz)
Icing (confectioner’s) sugar 70 g (21/2 oz)
Eggs 2
Desired colouring 1–2 drops, or as
desired
1 Prepare pastry. Mix butter and sugar until well incorporated. Mix in
eggs and flour. Stir to mix evenly until a smooth dough forms.
2 Add colouring and mix evenly. Leave dough to rest for 10 minutes.

4 Wrap red bean paste inside each dough portion and roll into a ball.
6 Lightly flatten each ball and gently nip all around the middle with a pair
of tweezers. Form another layer of ridges above the first layer by nipping
in a circle. Continue to form layers of ridges all the way to the top.
7 Brush cookies with egg yolk before baking for 10 minutes, until cookies
turn golden brown.
8. Glaze cookies with golden syrup or honey and serve immediately.
pas tries and d e s s e r t s 107

108
05 16 Dec endlims dimsum p110-120.indd 108 7/1/14 12:16 PM

109

basic recipes
seafood paste
M a k es a bout 320 g (11 1 / 3 oz )
S e as oni ng
Salt 3 g (1/10 oz)
Sugar 8 g (1/5 oz)
Oil 20 ml (2/3 fl oz)
Sesame oil a dash
1 Using a blender, blend prawns into a paste.
2 Mix well with seasoning ingredients in a large bowl.
3 Use immediately. For more flavour, cover with cling film and leave to marinate
overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Note: Seafood paste can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
bun pastry dough

M a k es a bout 250 g (9 oz )

Sugar 30 g (1 oz)
Yeast 2 g (1/15 oz)
Water 90–110 ml (3–32/3 fl oz)
1 Combine all ingredients, except water, in a mixing bowl.
2 Make a well in the centre. Pour water into the well and mix until a smooth dough
forms. Add more water if too dry. Dough is now ready for use.
110

sweet pastry dough
M ake s ab o u t 5 0 0 g ( 1 lb 1 1 / 2 o z)

Boiling water 60 ml (2 fl oz / 1/4 cup)
Glutinous rice flour 150 g (51/3 oz)
Sugar 60 g (2 oz)
Water about 130 ml (42/5 fl oz)
Shortening 60 g (2 oz)
1 Pour wheat starch into a mixing bowl. Add boiling water and mix well. Set aside.
2 Pour glutinous rice flour and sugar into another mixing bowl. Make a well in the
centre. Pour water into the well and stir to mix evenly. Combine with wheat starch
batter and knead to mix evenly.
3 Add shortening and knead until dough is no longer sticky.
4 Cover with cling film and chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before
using. This will prevent the pastry from being too sticky during wrapping.
111

glossary
1 . Bea n c urd s k i ns 2 . C h i n e se sau sag e 4 . C u st ard an d g re e n tea p a st e

Bean curd skins are a product of yellow Chinese Sausage is a common ingredient Custard (left) is a rich yellow paste used
soy beans and have high nutritional value. in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao and the in sweet desserts like custard buns and
A popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine, southern regions of China. It is usually made pastries. When making your own custard,
bean curd food products are also hailed of pork, which is minced and then packed it is important to note that custard powder
as “the meat in vegetarian food” because into a lining made from pork intestines. The is a key ingredient. Custard powder gives a
it contains proteins, dietary fibre and sausages are then compressed and dried, richer colour and flavour to the paste, and it
carbohydrates. Bean curd skins are used to among other procedures, before they are cannot be substituted with other ingredients.
wrap meat and other filling, which makes ready for use. Custard buns are a traditional favourite
a very savoury and fragrant dish whether among the Cantonese, who like to enjoy
it is steamed or fried. Those available in 3 . C o ri an d e r this sweet treat during breakfast. Green
the supermarkets are heavily salted. For Coriander, or Chinese parsley, contains a tea paste (right) was traditionally not part
the recipes in this book, it is best to use beneficial volatile oil that gives it a pleasant of dim sum desserts. It was included much
plain unsalted bean curd skins. To seal the aroma. It is this oil that counters the strong later on due to the increasing demand for
filling more securely, use beaten egg or flour or gamey smell of meat, as well as the fishy green tea products, as research shows that
mixture to dab the edges before sealing. taste in seafood. This herb lends a unique and green tea contains antioxidants that can
fragrant flavour to dishes, and is a popular slow aging and prevent cancer. The green tea
ingredient in dim sum either as part of a paste used in dim sum is usually sweetened
filling or as a garnishing. to suit the palate of dessert lovers.
112

5
5. Fer men t e d bl a c k be a ns 7. G l u t i n o u s ri c e
8 . H o n g Ko n g f l o u r
These are essentially soy beans that are Glutinous rice is sticky when cooked. The
Hong Kong flour is finer than other types
steamed and then left to ferment. It has a stickiness is a result of its high starch
of flours. It also contains less protein than
sharp salty taste and is a popular seasoning content. It is a variety of short-grained rice,
regular plain (all-purpose) flour. It is a
ingredient in Chinese cooking. Rinse with hot and is commonly used in Chinese cuisine,
typically used for baked food like cakes and
water before use to remove excess salt and especially for dim sum. Glutinous rice is said
biscuits, and is particularly popular in Asian
dirt. Use sparingly and to taste, as they are to contain more fat compared to its other
pastries because of its delicate texture.
high in salt content, and therefore very salty. rice cousins, and therefore considered a less
healthy option. The dishes that use glutinous
6. Gin ger rice also contain salt, meat and oil, like
Ginger is an important spice and herb to the popular lor mai kai and glutinous rice
the Chinese. It has a strong spicy flavour in lotus leaf. Despite its less-than-healthy
that adds a pleasant taste to dishes. Ginger reputation, glutinous rice dishes remain a
has a fresh fragrance that helps to remove perennial favourite because of their savoury
the fishy taste of seafood and the pungent fragrance. However, as with most other
smell in meats. It does not overpower the types of food, glutinous rice, if consumed
main dish, rather, ginger enhances its flavour. in moderation, will not cause major health
Apart from its uses in cookery, ginger has problems.
long been regarded as a remedy for colds
and motion sickness.
113

9
12
11
10
9 . Lo tus l e a f 1 1 . R e d b e an p ast e an d 1 2 . Si e w m ai ski n s

The lotus leaf comes from the aquatic lotus l o t u s p ast e These are essentially the same as wonton
plant. The Chinese regard it as a herb with Red bean paste (left) is commonly used skins, and the thinner they are, the better.
medicinal benefits that include antibacterial in East Asian desserts. It is dark red and Their surface is also coated with a white
properties and the ability to dispel has a sweet taste. The paste is made from powdery substance to prevent sticking. They
“heatiness” within the body. Lotus leaves skinned red beans, which are crushed and are best stored sealed and chilled in the
impart fragrance to food, and is used in dim then boiled until they are mushy. The paste is refrigerator to prevent them from drying
sum dishes like the lor mai kai and glutinous then sweetened before it is cooked again to out. Use the skins as soon as possible after
rice in lotus leaf. remove excess moisture. Like the red bean opening, as they dry rather quickly. Store-
paste, lotus paste (right) is also common bought skins are usually thick, so, just before
1 0. Mu shroom s in Chinese cuisine as a dessert filling, in using, it is best to apply pressure onto the
Mushrooms are versatile, and usually any particular, Cantonese-style dim sum. To stack of skins to flatten them, and then trim
type of Chinese mushrooms can be used make lotus paste, lotus seeds are first boiled away the cracked edges.
in a dish, so you can pick the variety to in water until they soften, then drained and
use as desired. Chinese mushrooms are mashed. Next, sugar and oil are added before
sold fresh or dried in most supermarkets. cooking the paste in a pot or wok to remove
Dried mushrooms need to be reconstituted excess moisture. Maltose is then added to
by soaking in water for about 20 minutes make the final product.
or until soft. Mushrooms are said to have
health benefits like lowering cholesterol and
preventing cancer.
114

15
13
14
16
13 . Spr in g oni on ( s c a l l i on) 14 . Sp ri n g ro l l ski n s 1 5 . Wafe r p ap e r

While it is a common and ordinary ingredient Spring roll skins are not just used for These are thin sheets of wrappers made from
in Chinese cuisine, the spring onion has great wrapping the filling of spring rolls. They rice, and are translucent and snowy white in
nutritional benefits. It contains vitamins and are crispy when deep-fried, making them colour. Good for making deep-fried snacks,
minerals that are good for the body. It also good for other deep-fried snacks such as wafer paper has a mild pleasant taste that
imparts fragrance and enhances flavours of deep-fried wonton and pomegranate-shaped does not overpower its filling.
meats, especially when mixed together as a prawns. It is also used for popular snacks
filling for dumplings, buns and other meat like samosa. The main ingredients for spring 1 6 . Wh e at st arc h
dishes. Spring onion can also be used as a roll skins are high-gluten flour, water and This is a staple ingredient in dim sum, as it
garnishing. The amount to add for each dish eggs. They are sold in square sheets, and are is used for dishes like har kow and blossom
varies, and can be adjusted according to available in most supermarkets. dumplings to form the translucent crystal-
personal preference. like skin. It also forms part of the batter in
dishes like yam cake and carrot cake.
g l o s s a r y 115

18
19
17
1 7. W h ite r a di s h 1 8 . Wo n t o n ski n s 1 9 . Yam

A popular ingredient in Chinese cooking, Wonton skins can be square or round sheets There are different varieties of yam, and the
the white radish is also key to the classic of wrappers. They also come in two colours, one pictured here is the preferred variety for
dim sum favourite, the carrot cake. It has yellow and white. Their surface is coated dim sum snacks. The recipes in this book use
vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. There with white powdery flour, which prevents the flesh of this type of yam, as it forms a
are different ways to cook the white radish. sticking. When sealing a wonton or dumpling, smoother batter. Longer slimmer yams can
For example, it is also common to cook moisten the edges with water before pressing also be used, but they tend to produce lumpy
radish slices in soups and stews. gently to secure. batter for dishes like yam dumplings and yam
cake. Yam can be cooked in various ways,
such as boiling, steaming, grilling, roasting,
stir-frying or deep-frying. It is a good source
of energy as it contains a significant amount
of starch. Be careful when peeling yams,
as they release a sticky substance that can
irritate the skin, making it red and itchy.
Wear gloves when handling yam and wash
your hands thoroughly afterwards to prevent
skin irritation.
116

117

118

weights and measures
Quantities for this book are given in Metric, Imperial and American (spoon) measures. Standard spoon and cup
measurements used are: 1 tsp = 5 ml, 1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 1 cup = 250 ml. All measures are level unless otherwise stated.
LIQUID AND VOLUME MEASURES DRY MEASURES

Metric Imperial American Metric Imperial
1
5 ml /6 fl oz 1 teaspoon 30 grams 1 ounce
10 ml 1
/3 fl oz 1 dessertspoon 45 grams 11/2 ounces
1
15 ml /2 fl oz 1 tablespoon 55 grams 2 ounces
60 ml 2 fl oz 1
/4 cup (4 tablespoons) 70 grams 21/2 ounces
85 ml 21/2 fl oz 1
/3 cup 85 grams 3 ounces
90 ml 3 fl oz 3
/8 cup (6 tablespoons) 100 grams 31/2 ounces
1
125 ml 4 fl oz /2 cup 110 grams 4 ounces
180 ml 6 fl oz 3
/4 cup 125 grams 41/2 ounces
250 ml 8 fl oz 1 cup 140 grams 5 ounces
1 1
300 ml 10 fl oz ( /2 pint) 1 /4 cups 280 grams 10 ounces
375 ml 12 fl oz 11/2 cups 450 grams 16 ounces (1 pound)
435 ml 14 fl oz 3
1 /4 cups 500 grams 1 pound, 11/2 ounces
500 ml 16 fl oz 2 cups 700 grams 11/2 pounds
625 ml 20 fl oz (1 pint) 1
2 /2 cups 800 grams 13/4 pounds
1
750 ml 24 fl oz (1 /5 pints) 3 cups 1 kilogram 2 pounds, 3 ounces
1 litre 3
32 fl oz (1 /5 pints) 4 cups 1.5 kilograms 3 pounds, 41/2 ounces
1.25 litres 40 fl oz (2 pints) 5 cups 2 kilograms 4 pounds, 6 ounces
2
1.5 litres 48 fl oz (2 / pints) 5 6 cups
2.5 litres 80 fl oz (4 pints) 10 cups
OVEN TEMPERATURE LENGTH

°C °F Gas Regulo Metric Imperial
1
Very slow 120 250 1 0.5 cm /4 inch
1
Slow 150 300 2 1 cm /2 inch
3
Moderately slow 160 325 3 1.5 cm /4 inch
Moderate 180 350 4 2.5 cm 1 inch
Moderately hot 190/200 370/400 5/6
Hot 210/220 410/440 6/7
Very hot 230 450 8
Super hot 250/290 475/550 9/10

index
B G R
Bean Curd Rolls with Oyster Sauce ginger 22, 51, 55, 56, 62, 65, 69, red bean paste 84, 88, 107, 114
69 113
bean curd skins 25, 59, 69, 112 glutinous rice 72, 76, 113 S
Blossom Dumplings 21 Glutinous Rice Balls with Grated Salted Egg Yolk Custard Buns 91
Butter Cookies 107 Coconut 84 Siew Mai 48
Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf 72 siew mai skins 48, 114
C green tea paste 87, 88, 112 Snow Skin Dumplings 88
Chinese sausage 72, 75, 80, 112 Soup Dumplings 51
Chives Dumplings 65 H Spicy Sour Wonton 42
coriander (cilantro) 25, 26, 112 Har Kow 18 spring onion (scallion) 22, 29, 33, 51,
Crispy Bread Rolls 37 Hong Kong flour 51, 65, 66, 96, 99, 55, 62, 69, 72, 75, 115
103, 104, 107, 113 spring roll skins 115
Crispy Yam Dumplings 95
custard 91, 96, 99, 112 Steamed Fish Head with Fermented
L Black Beans 22
Leaf Cookies 103 Steamed Pork Ribs with Fermented
D Black Beans 52
Lemongrass Sticks 33
Deep-fried Bean Curd Rolls with Stuffed Vegetables 45
Prawns 25 Lor Mai Kai 76
lotus leaf 72, 114 Sweet and Savoury Dumplings 60
Deep-fried Custard Buns 96
lotus paste 92, 100, 103, 104, 114 Sweet Potato Dumplings 87
Deep-fried Glutinous Rice Balls 92
Deep-fried Prawn Dumplings 34 Lotus Rolls 100
Deep-fried Bean Curd Rolls with
V
Seaweed 59 Vietnamese Sugarcane Prawns 30
M
Deep-fried Wafer Rolls with Prawns Mini Chicken Frank Rolls 66
and Mango 26
Mini Salmon Toast 38
W
Deep-fried Wonton 29 wafer paper 26, 115
mushrooms 48, 60, 72, 95, 114
Walnut Cookies 104
E wheat starch 18, 21, 75, 80, 87, 88,
Egg Tarts 99 P 95, 115
Pan-fried Carrot Cake 80 white radish 80, 116
Pan-fried Meat Buns 62
F wonton skins 34, 42, 116
Paper-wrapped Chicken 56
Fan Choy 79
Phoenix Claws 55
fermented black beans 22, 52, 55 Y
Pomegranate-shaped Prawns 41
yam 75, 95, 115
Yam Cake 75
120

Cooking Classics - Dim Sum - A Step-By-Step Cookbook

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Cooking Classics - Dim Sum - A Step-By-Step Cookbook

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Cooking Classics - Dim Sum - A Step-By-Step Cookbook

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ng lip kah

cooking classics Also in the Cooking Classics series:

ng lip kah Cooking Classics is a series of step-by-step cookbooks that

00 Prelims.indd 1 20/2/14 11:00 AM

00 Prelims.indd 3 20/2/14 11:00 AM

Copyright © 2014 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited

Published by Marshall Cavendish Cuisine

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted,

Other Marshall Cavendish Offices:

Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited

National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Ng, Lip Kah.

pages cm. – (Cooking classics)

1. Dim sum. 2. Cooking, Chinese. I. Title. II. Series: Cooking classics.

Printed in Singapore by Craft Print International Ltd

00 Prelims.indd 4 20/2/14 11:00 AM

00 Prelims.indd 5 20/2/14 11:00 AM

the concept of serving dim sum is the most developed in Cantonese

and the sweet baked pastries on plates.

practice of having steamed buns, shrimp dumplings, pork dumplings,

on page 88, are best served chilled.

Northern China is looked upon as the main producer of dough products,

00 Prelims.indd 7 20/2/14 11:00 AM

covered in this book.

As with all kinds of Chinese cuisine, different cooking techniques are

employed to prepared dim sum. Sometimes, two or more cooking

this book are briefly explained in the following pages.

Dim sum snacks come in different shapes and sizes. Depending on

dent is meant to help the southerners differentiate the soup dumplings

eating dim sum.

This cookbook compiles the recipes of some of the most popular

dim sum snacks. It is a mix of traditional classics and new creative

additions that will satisfy on all occasions. With illustrated instructions

written in an easy-to-follow format, you can now discover the joy of

preparing and enjoying dim sum in the comfort of your home.

00 Prelims.indd 8 20/2/14 11:00 AM

00 Prelims.indd 10 20/2/14 11:00 AM

00 Prelims.indd 11 20/2/14 11:00 AM

00 Prelims.indd 12 20/2/14 11:00 AM

other liquids to cook food. The liquid is brought to

a boil before food is added to it for cooking. Boiling

is also useful for softening ingredients, such as lotus

leaves, as the leaves become more pliable, making

it easier to fold over the ingredients for dishes

like glutinous rice in lotus leaves. Vegetables are

sometimes softened via boiling as an initial cooking

process. This subsequently shortens the cooking

time, be it for a stew or a pan-fried dish. Boiling

food beforehand also prevents them from sticking

to the frying pan during sautéing.

00 Prelims.indd 15 20/2/14 11:01 AM

01 16 Dec seafood.indd 17 7/1/14 12:13 PM

01 16 Dec seafood.indd 18 7/1/14 12:13 PM

Seafood paste (see page 110) 320 g

1 Prepare the skin. Pour wheat starch into a mixing bowl.

01 16 Dec seafood.indd 21 7/1/14 12:13 PM

Fish head 1, about 600 g (1 lb 52/5 oz) Sea so n in g

1 Cut fish head into bite-size pieces. Rinse and drain.

5 Steam for 15 minutes.