12 Top-Rated Recipes for Your DIY Dim Sum Brunch
What is dim sum? It's the original brunch, you might say! This ancient Cantonese tradition involves rolling out an extensive selection of small plates, meant to be eaten at a leisurely pace, and shared family style. Pork rules this morning to mid-day feast, with ribs and bright pink slices of juicy tenderloin leading the way. Pot stickers, dumplings, steamed buns, bao all surprise and delight with the savory fillings inside. Don't be intimidated to make your own dim sum brunch. These top-rated recipes are easier than you imagine, and the results rated four stars and higher in the reviews.
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Chinese Pork Dumplings
These traditional Chinese dumplings are filled with ground pork, fresh ginger, and Chinese chives. In Seattle's International District, Liana Cafe House sells them from a tiny takeout shop. These crowd-pleasing creations are best dipped in seasoned soy sauce spiked with chili oil. Amp up the flavor by offering delicate threads of fresh ginger.
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Char Siu Pork
Enjoy this simple roast pork sliced thin for dim sum. And if you have any leftover, add the sliced spiced pork to stir-fries, veggie fried rice, or wonton or udon noodle soups. "Best summer adaptation: in buckwheat or soba noodles for a cold salad," says Manx.
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Chinese Steamed Buns
"Here's some yummy, Chinese dim sum you can make, either plain without meat fillings, or with meat fillings," says Carol chi-wa Chung. "A wok equipped with a stainless steel steam plate, a plate with holes to allow steam to pass, is required to make these tasty buns. You may use milk in place of the warm water if you wish."
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Spicy Chinese Barbeque Riblets
Chinese style pork driblets are glazed in a sweet and spicy sauce. The amazing glaze features hoisin sauce, white wine, soy sauce, sugar, tomato paste, garlic, and hot sauce
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Chinese Green Bean Stir-Fry
Fresh green beans are quickly stir-fried with minced garlic and ginger, and black bean sauce. "Every time I go to a buffet I eat a plate of these and now I can have them at home!" says CHORT1313. "I made them last night and they were terrific!"
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Potstickers (Chinese Dumplings)
These Chinese stuffed dumplings are filled with a savory beef and shrimp filling (instead of the traditional pork filling), browned quickly in a skillet, and then steamed until hot and tender. "You can fill the whole package of gyoza wrappers and have filling left over for next time around," says Ayeen.
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Cantonese Lean Pork Congee
Congee is a favorite dim sum option. Pork is simmered with rice, served with salted duck egg and hundred-year egg, and garnished with thinly sliced fresh ginger and green onion.
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Chinese BBQ Pork
Here's another take on char siu, the Chinese-style grilled pork with a sweet-and-sour marinade. The recipe submitter, David&Andrea says, "This is best cooked over charcoal, but importantly to cook with indirect heat. Char siu literally means 'fork 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."
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Chinese Pork Buns (Cha Siu Bao)
Steamed yeast buns are filled with marinated pork, and soy and oyster sauces. "They do take time to make but they are yummy!" says MC.
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Chinese Broccoli
Greens, steamed or stir-fried, brighten up the table, delivering crunchy textures. If you can't locate the traditional gai lan, also known as Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale, the classic variety found in U.S. supermarkets will work well, too. Ginger, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil combine to coat this wonderful green vegetable.
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Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
Chinese eggplants are stir-fried in a sweet and spicy sauce, "A mildly spicy (or very spicy if you like) eggplant dish," says Whats that Burning smell?. "My mother has been making this for me since I was a child. It is SO GOOD!"
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Almond Cookies (Dim Sum Variety)
Dessert is typically something that's just a couple of bites, served with hot tea. Light on the sugar, these meal ending treats aren't meant to weigh you down. A plate of fresh fruit is also a refreshing way to wind down. "These almond cookies are what you would typically find in Chinese dim sum restaurants in Hawaii," says WISHME. "If you enjoy the flavor of almonds, you'll love these cookies. This is a simple recipe and is a favorite in my family. Give it a try!"
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