Dim sim

For the Chinese brunch, see Dim sum.
Dim Sim

A steamed dim sim
Alternative names Dimmie
Type Dumpling
Course Appetiser
Place of origin Australia (of Chinese-inspired origin)
Main ingredients Pork, Cabbage
Variations Vegetarian (assorted fillings)
Cookbook:Dim Sim  Dim Sim

A dim sim is a Chinese-inspired meat or vegetable dumpling-style snack food, popular in Australia and to a lesser extent in New Zealand. The meat variety dish normally consists of small amounts of pork or lamb, cabbage and flavourings, encased in a wrapper similar to that of a traditional shumai dumpling. They are usually deep-fried, though can be served steamed. Vegetarian-style dim sim normally contains cabbage, carrot, vermicelli, or other vegetable fillings, along with spices. Dim sims differ from typical Chinese dumplings in that they are often much larger, have a thicker doughier skin and are shaped more robustly.[1] They are primarily sold in fish and chip shops, service stations, corner stores and some Chinese restaurants and takeaway outlets in Australia. Chinese Yum Cha wholesale outlets and Asian frozen food companies also commonly sell this snack frozen for home cooking. They can also be found at Chinese food outlets in New Zealand.

Chinese diners view dim sims as Westernized food, however many Australians see the snack as being primarily Chinese in nature, due to its origins in local Chinese restaurants. The term dim sim dates as far back as 1928,[2] although it is widely believed the modern recipe of the dish was developed in Melbourne's Chinatown in 1945 by chef William Wing Young (father of TV chef Elizabeth Chong) for his restaurant "Wing Lee".[1]

Original Recipe

Chef Young's "original recipe" for the dim sim was presented by Elizabeth Chong on the second episode of the ABC1 TV show Myf Warhurst's Nice (20 June, 2012). It consisted of twice minced pork, prawns, water chestnuts, spring onions and soy sauce wrapped in a custom dumpling pastry.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Dim Sims". Only Melbourne. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  2. James Lambert. "Australian National Dictionary Centre". Additions to the Australian lexicographical record III. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  3. "Myf Warhurst's Nice". Episode 2 - Nice and Tasty. Retrieved 2013-11-12.

Daily Dimmies