Vegetable Dim Sum Recipe

This innovative low-calorie recipe is one of the healthiest eating-out options and one of the most exciting dishes to prepare at home. Generally bite sized, these versatile flour wrappers are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Steamed cooked, Vegetable Dim Sum is a stylish and appetising healthy snack everyone can enjoy. Translated from Chinese, Dim sum means ‘touch the heart’.

Vegetable Dim Sum can also be made with meats and seafood, such as steamed chicken, prawn and pork.

• Preparation time: 10-15 minutes
• Cook time: 40 minutes
• Total cook time: 1 hour
• Serves: 10
• Spice rating: mild (you can make this a medium spice if you prefer)
• Difficulty: easy-medium

Ingredients For the Dough:

• 2 cups refined flour (maida)
• 1/2 tsp salt

Ingredients For the Filling:

• 1 cup finely minced cabbage (or mixed vegetables)
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2 cup onion-finely chopped
• 1 tsp garlic-chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/4 tsp vinegar
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Method:

1. Mix the refined flour and salt together, add water and knead into a stiff dough. Tip, add the water gradually to make sure you get the texture perfect.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan or wok and add the onion and garlic. Sauté the onion and garlic until it is soft.
3. Add the vegetables and turn around over a high heat until they are slightly cooked.
4. Remove from the heat and mix in the salt, vinegar and black pepper.
5. Roll out the dough into thin (translucent) circles approximately 4-5 inches (10-13 cm).
6. Wet the edges of the dough circles and place the cooked vegetables (your filling) in the centre of the circle.
7. Bring the edges of the circle together to create a half-moon shape and press around the edges to seal.
8. Steam the sealed pocket for approximately 10 minutes (or until cooked) and serve.

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Tips:

• To steam the dim sum, buy a bamboo steamer which you can place inside a wok of boiling water, and add the lid to make sure the steam is kept inside the wok.
• Brush the flour with a beaten egg white before you fill it, this will brown the dim sum to make it golden and crispy.
• If you’re not comfortable making the pockets for the dim sum, you can buy ready-made pastry to use until you feel comfortable making your own.
• For a healthier option, stream the vegetables instead of frying them.
• Prepare a ginger soy dip to compliment your vegetable dim sum. To do this, heat some soy sauce in a non-stick pan, add water and ginger, mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add sesame seeds and sesame oil, mix and cook for a further 2 minutes. Serve this alongside the dim sum.
• Remember, dim sum is served in small portions. They are designed to “touch the heart” but not fill the appetite, so make sure you serve them as snacks.
• Dim sum is also a sharing dish, so keep in mind the etiquette for eating them. For example, don’t eat them directly from the steamer, instead transfer them to your own plate using a serving utensil or the ends of your chopsticks.