Dim sim
 A steamed dim sim | |
| Alternative names | Dimmie |
|---|---|
| Type | Dumpling |
| Course | Appetiser |
| Place of origin | Australia (of Chinese-inspired origin) |
| Serving temperature | Steamed, Deep Fried, Barbecued |
| Main ingredients | Pork, Cabbage |
| Variations | Vegetarian (assorted fillings) |
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2007) |
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 can be served deep-fried or steamed and are commonly dressed or dipped in soy sauce. An alternative way of cooking dim sims is to barbecue them, by cutting the dim sim in half along the long side and placing on a hot BBQ. 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[citation needed] 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
- ^ a b "Dim Sims". Only Melbourne. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ James Lambert. "Australian National Dictionary Centre". Additions to the Australian lexicographical record III. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ^ "Myf Warhurst's Nice". Episode 2 - Nice and Tasty. Retrieved 2013-11-12.