dim sum for the chinese new year

Chinese New Year celebrations are culminating this Saturday in San Francisco with the Parade, and well suited for the Chinese theme was the Dim Sum Chinese cooking class I enrolled with my friend. Dim Sum is Cantonese name for small dishes usually served in a steamer-basket or a plate, and most of the dishes we made were steamed in bamboo baskets.

The class took place in Cucina Bambini in Willow Glen near San Jose and it was cute kitchen with a oh-so lovely an bright red stove. It would be great to have a kitchen this size at home too.  The menu consisted of vegetarian Spring Rolls, Siu Mai Dumplings, Pork Buns with Char Siu Bao Pork filling, Pot Stickers and Chinese Sweet Bread. Delicious and rather easy to prepare. It is good to remember that in Chinese cooking the preparation time is rather lengthy but the actual cooking time is rather short.

Cute entrance to Cucina Bambini, which, as you can guess from the name caters a lot for children

The kitchen area is bright and airy

Siu Mai dumplings garnished with cilantro leaves ready for steaming

Dumplings steaming

Finished vegetarian spring rolls

Steamed Char Siu Pork dumplings wrapped in Sweet Bread dough

Steamed pot stickers