Steaming is a really healthy way of cooking in general and these dumplings also known as dim sum are super healthy, very easy to make and absolutely delicious.
There are so many kinds or types of dim sum and these are siu mai which are open pork or prawn filled dumplings.
What is dim sum?
The actual meaning of the term dim sum "touch the heart" is still debatable but it ultimately is a Chinese (Cantonese) style cuisine and it mainly refers to site size portion food fully cooked and served with tea.
So beautiful and delicious I would say, aren't they? I am actually so happy they were ever invented!
How to cook dim sum?
They can, of course, made sweet or savoury and can be prepared in a number of ways which is steamed, fried or even baked. Oh, these pot-stickers !
They can be totally closed or left slightly opened, fried into a little vegetable oil or they can be steamed as I have made them in this recipe. They are delicious whichever way you choose to cook them. Seriously good stuff.
What can I fill dim sum with?
The most popular siu mai are pork and prawn ones but I have decided to use a slightly different filling which is ground veal or mince with mushrooms, a combination that we unanimously adore here in this household. They can be made vegan too.
Originally, in China, the fillings vary according to the season: ingredients like garlic and chives are used in springtime, mutton and pumpkin in the summer, crab meat around the autumn, and mixed seafood in the winter season. They are all delicious and I hope to make as many varieties as possible, they all sound very appealing to me, no doubt.
In this household, I have to say that we often crave for Asian food and these dumplings make a great dish for variety.
Yes, they do freeze very well. Just make them ready and freeze in a plastic container. They can be frozen up to 1 month. Just freeze them on baking paper individually before transferring into a bag to avoid sticking.
Absolutely! Make them and place on a plate, ready to be steamed. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Let's get these dumplings made now, I am already hungry and I am sure you are too, ready?
This veal steamed siu mai dim sum recipe it's delicious and they are filled with ground veal, shiitake mushrooms, spices and steamed, but they could also be fried or dropped into a delicious broth.
Other recipes you may enjoy :
- Homemade burgers with mint and cumin yoghurt sauce
- Beef zucchini enchiladas
- Teriyaki chicken egg-fried rice with vegetables
Enjoy!
Veal steamed dumplings (dim sum)
Equipment
- steaming baskets
- chopping board
- knife
Ingredients
- 500 g mince veal (1.1 lb)
- 1 pack wonton wrappers (25-30 pieces)
- 100 g shiitake mushrooms (3.5 oz)
- 3 spring onion /scallions
- 1/2 carrot (optional) grated
- 2 tsp Sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 pinch white pepper (ground)
- 2 red Thai chilli
- 10 sprigs coriander
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/4 tsp brown sugar
- 3 tsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp ginger (fresh) grated
- 1 tsp Sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a larger bowl mix the mince meat, finely chopped spring onions, carrot if you decide to go for it, shiitake mushrooms, garlic, red chilli, coriander, half of the ginger, the hoisin sauce and half of the sesame oil, salt, white pepper. Mix well and set aside. Leave a pinch of the chopped spring onion and red chilli for serving sauce.
- To make the dumplings place the wrappers on the work surface. Take one by one and spoon some meat mixture, approximately one spoonful into the middle of each wrapper. You could close them if you want but I like them opened.
- Place the dumplings into the steaming dish and steam for 30-40 minutes. I always dip the bottom of the dumplings into a little sesame oil to avoid sticking or I lay strips of parchment paper.
- For the serving sauce mix the soya sauce, the remainder of the sesame oil, ginger, hoisin sauce a pinch of the spring onion, coriander, finely chopped red chilli, the sugar, vinegar and sesame seeds if you like.
- Serve while hot. Remove from steamer while hot to avoid sticking.
Byron Thomas says
So, I'm coming to your house for dinner! 🙂 These dumplings look amazing. I have tried making dumplings before, but they never turn out right for me. Usually, I just bite the bullet and go out for dim sum whenever the craving hits. But, I think I'll give it one more try with your recipe. They look stunningly delicious!
Maria says
These dumplings are beatiful and I love that you can make them in advance to save time. I look forward to trying these. They look so flavorful.
Ramona says
Thanks Maria, they are delicious and so full of flavour indeed!
Amy Liu Dong says
This is definitely a masterpiece dim sum that I've ever encounter. These looks definitely delicious and tasty. The aura that it brings out makes me crave for it, it's so tempting and I loved it!
Ramona says
Thank you dear Amy, you are very sweet and super kind. As for these dumplings, they are definitely a superb dim sum dish 😉 I do hope you will try it super soon.
Taleen | Just As Tasty says
I absolutely love dumplings and have never tried it with veal before! This looks delicious!
Ramona says
Thank you dear Taleen, it is very nice indeed especially if you find a nice organic veal mince or ground meat if hard to find you can mince it yourself. Delicious!
Marta says
Dim sum always reminds me of Sundays in NYC when we'd go to Chinatown and gorge ourselves on all you can eat dimsum. This is great!
Ramona says
Thank you Marta, you can give them a go home now, they are so good and for me, much better and healthier than the restaurant ones in the sense that you know exactly what goes in.
Jere Cassidy says
These dumplings looks absolutly amazing. Every week I can count on you for making something I never make at my house or even know of the recipe. I am just simply impressed with everything you do. So back to these dumplings your recipe is simple and very easy to do, and I love the open look.
Ramona says
Aww, you really touched my heart with this comment dear Jere. Thank you so much for your lovely words. I am so happy to hear I inspire you 😉 so kind!!
Stine Mari says
I didn't know dim sum meant 'touch the heart'. That's interesting! Adn these veal steamed dumplings look so easy and delicious!
Ramona says
Thank you so much dear Stine Mari, they do touch my heart every time I make them. So good!
Kushigalu says
What a flavorful and delicious dumpling recipe. I can't wait to try this out. Yum!
Ramona says
Thanks 😉
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
What a great recipe for dim sum! These dumpling are perfect for dinner and turned out so beautifully. Will make again.
Ramona says
Thank you so much Julie, I am so pleased to hear yu have made them and turned out well. 😉
Sondra Barker says
So beautifully made and such great flavors! definitely something I'm going to "attempt" at making!
Sarah James says
What a delicious recipe, I love how you use veal and mushrooms. It's so handy to know you can freeze the dumplings or make them ahead, a great idea for when you're entertaining. Thanks for sharing.
Ramona says
Thank you so much, Sarah. Oh, these dumplings are soo good - perfect for entertaining indeed! 😉
Beth says
My mouth is watering just looking at all the wonderful seasonings - of course I love anything with hoisin sauce. What a beautiful and savory recipe!
Ramona says
Thanks a mill dear Beth!
Lesli Schwartz says
Love all of the Asian flavors in this dumpling! Dim Sum is so perfect for entertaining.
Ramona says
Thank you Lesli.
Emily says
We loved these dim sum veal dumplings! And great tip to use the leftover meat mixture to make meatballs!
Ramona says
Thank you so much, Emily! Chuffed you loved them.
sapana says
Wow never knew the meaning of dim sum and now that I know it I can understand the role of this dish. Love the tips of using any type of filling we would want to.
Ramona says
😉 thanks Sapana
Jacqueline Debono says
As usual you have me drooling! I've never made dim sum at home, even though I love them! But, am going to change that asap as I definitely want to try this recipe!
Ramona says
Thank you Jacqui, I am 100% you'd absolutely love this recipe 😉
Jen | Jen's Food Lab says
Love siu mai, which is the dim sum dish that you made here! Cool to see other fillings too.
Kari Alana says
Dim Sum from scratch is full of flavour like no other. You have made it so easy and accessible with this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Diana says
I love all dumplings! Thank you for creating a delicious and healthy dumpling. Dumplings are one of those foods thats worth sharing.
Lathiya says
The dumplings looks so delicious and it's really great that we have a choice of making it ahead.
Sondra Barker says
These look amazing! I cant wait to try them. Thanks for the recipe.
Julia says
Wow, I've never ever cooked with veal before, but I love dim sum (it's literally a weekend tradition!). What an interesting ingredient to include, I'm excited to try this!
Chef Dennis says
These dumplings are making me hungry!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
This looks so so good. My husband will love this dish.
Ramona says
Thank you so much - delish indeed. I hope you will try these dumplings (dim sum) dear Maggie 😉
Addison says
Comfort food at its best! Such a great dinner for the cold weather!
Ramona says
I agree dear Addison, 100%!
Gareth G says
It's an awesome recipe OMG so tasty! I need to make them again and I will use pork and prawns. DElicious, thanks Ramona! I would give it a 10 stars if I could, honestly - my wife and kids think the same 😉
Ramona says
Yayy! Another success. To be honest, this recipe went viral on FB and it is one of our faves too. so glad you guys enjoyed it too.