How to Make Chicken Dim Sum

Dim Sum is a Chinese delicacy made of individually-sized portions. It can be made of various pastries, dumplings and buns, along with assorted meats, vegetables, and spices. Although dim sum looks delicate and complicated, learning to make your own isn't difficult.

Things You'll Need

• 4 eggs whites
• ½ tsp. cornstarch
• ¼ tsp. salt
• White pepper to taste
• Canola or safflower oil
• 1/3 lb. finely chopped skinless, boneless chicken breast
• 3 black mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 oz. fat, finely chopped
• 2 sprigs of cilantro, minced
• 8 water chestnuts, finely chopped
• 1 scallion, minced
• 1/8 tsp. white pepper
• Approximately 1 tsp. oyster sauce
• ¼ tsp. sesame oil
• Extra cilantro sprigs

Instructions

Egg White Pancakes

1. Beat the egg whites lightly with the cornstarch, salt and white pepper until blended.

2. Oil a sauté pan and heat it over medium high heat.

3. Put 2 tsp. of the egg white mixture into the pan and spread it into a paper-thin circle shape.

4. Continue making egg white pancakes until the batter is gone.

Dim Sum Filling

1. Combine chicken, mushrooms, fat, cilantro, water chestnuts, scallions, salt, white pepper, oyster sauce and sesame oil in a food processor.

2. Set a food processor on pulse setting and pulse until the ingredients are in small pieces.

3. Strip the leaves from several sprigs of cilantro.

4. Boil the sprigs for about 25 seconds or until soft.

Completing the Chicken Dim Sum

1. Place an egg white pancake on a plate. Roll a small amount of chicken filling into a meatball shape.

2. Bring the egg white pancake up around the filling and tie the pancake closed with a sprig of boiled cilantro.

3. Put the dim sum in a steamer for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• If desired, garnish the chicken dim sum with some finely chopped hard boiled eggs or chopped ham. Garnish the dumplings with ground dried Virginia ham or crumbled hard-boiled egg yolk mixed with kosher salt and some egg white sauce.