Dim sum has it’s origin in the Chinese social tea tradition of Yum Cha. Yum cha, which translates literally to mean “tea drinking”, takes place in the mornings and early afternoons in various regions throughout China, although Canton, a province in Southern China, is more widely associated with Dim sum and Yum Cha.
During Yum Cha people socialize over tea and partake of a variety of snack foods. This variety of snack foods is what is referred to as Dim sum. Dim sum refers to the collective dishes partaken of during the tea-drinking tradition of Yum Cha.
In today’s hectic world people don’t always have time for traditional social gatherings like Yum Cha. Recognizing the need to keep up with changing times and the demand for instant foods, some food manufacturers in China and other regions have developed packaged dim sum products. These products can usually be found in grocery stores in many areas of the world. They can be prepared at home in a microwave on a stovetop and enjoyed at any time desired.
Here is an example of a dim sum recipe, pork dim sum:
Ingredients:
14 oz of ground pork.
2 scallions, chopped.
1 3/4 oz of canned bamboo shoots, chopped.
1 tablespoon of light soy sauce.
1 tablespoon of dry sherry.
2 teaspoons of sesame oil.
2 teaspoons of superfine sugar.
1 medium egg white, lightly beaten.
4 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch.
24 wonton wrappers.
Directions:
In a bowl, mix together the ground pork, chopped scallions, bamboo shoots, light soy sauce, dry sherry, sesame oil, superfine sugar, and beaten egg until well combined.
Stir in the cornstarch, mixing thoroughly.
Spread out the wonton wrappers on a counter.
Place a spoonful of the mixture in the center of each wonton wrapper and lightly brush the edges of the wrappers with water.
Bring the sides of the wrappers together in the center of the filling, pinching firmly together.
Line a steamer with a clean damp dish cloth and arrange the wontons inside.
Cover and steam for 6 minutes or until cooked through, then serve.
Source: Dim Sum Recipes.
