Steam-Free Dim Sum: Cooking Frozen Treats Without A Steamer

There are several ways to cook frozen dim sum without a steamer. One way is to use a wire rack to prop up a plate in a pot filled with water. Another method is to use aluminium foil balls to prop up a plate in a pot of water. You can also steam dim sum in the microwave, or in a frying pan with a small amount of water. Finally, you can steam-fry dim sum in a pan by frying them and then adding water to create steam.

Microwave for 2.5 minutes

If you're looking to cook frozen dim sum without a steamer, one option is to use a microwave. Here's a step-by-step guide to doing just that:

First, get a large microwave-safe bowl and place your frozen dim sum dumplings inside, spacing them out evenly. Pour in just enough water to cover the bottom half of the dumplings. Then, cover the bowl with either microwave-safe plastic wrap or a microwave-safe plate to trap the steam inside. Make sure not to use regular plastic wrap, as it could melt on top of your food.

Now, you're ready to microwave. Set the bowl in the microwave and cook for 2.5 minutes. Most of the water will evaporate, and the steam will cook your dim sum. If your dumplings are frozen, you may need to add another minute to the cooking time. To check if they're ready, tear one open and see if the filling is hot. If not, heat for another 30 seconds and check again. Repeat this process until they're warmed through.

If you want your dim sum to have a crispy texture, put them into a pan over medium heat for about a minute after microwaving.

Microwaving is a convenient way to cook frozen dim sum without a steamer, and with this guide, you'll be enjoying your delicious dim sum in no time!

Use a frying pan with 0.5-1 cm of water

If you don't have a steamer, you can use a frying pan with 0.5-1 cm of water to cook frozen dim sum. Here's how to do it:

First, take your frozen dim sum and place them in a single layer in a frying pan. You don't want to stack them, as this will prevent them from cooking evenly. Then, add just enough water to the pan to cover the bottom, aiming for a depth of 0.5-1 cm. Turn the heat to medium and let the water simmer.

As the water heats up, it will start to evaporate. The steam will cook your dim sum. Cover the pan with a lid to trap the steam inside and help cook the dim sum more effectively. Let the dim sum cook for about 10 minutes, or until the water has almost completely evaporated.

Keep an eye on your dim sum to make sure they don't stick to the pan. You can prevent sticking by lining the pan with parchment paper or brushing it with a thin layer of cooking oil before adding the dim sum.

Once the water has evaporated, your dim sum should be cooked through. If you want them extra crispy, you can continue cooking them for another minute or so without the lid. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Steam-fry in a pan with oil

To cook frozen dim sum without a steamer, you can steam-fry them in a pan with oil. Here's how to do it:

First, pour about 1 tablespoon of cooking oil into a pan with a lid. Place the pan on the stove burner and swirl the oil around to coat the pan evenly. You can use any cooking oil of your choice.

Next, add the frozen dim sum to the pan, making sure they are evenly spaced apart. Allow them to fry for 1-2 minutes without moving them. Check the bottoms of the dim sum with a spatula to ensure they are golden brown and crispy before moving on to the next step.

Now, add water to the pan to cover about a third of the height of the dim sum. If you are cooking fresh dim sum, use less water, about 2-3 tablespoons. Turn the stove to medium-high heat and cover the pan with its lid. As soon as you see steam rising from the water, it's time to move on.

Keep the lid on the pan to prevent steam from escaping. Fresh dim sum will take about 6 minutes to cook, while frozen dim sum will need closer to 10 minutes to thaw and cook through. You can always cut open one of the dim sum to check that the filling is hot and cooked through.

Once the dim sum are cooked, remove the lid and continue heating them until the water evaporates. This extra step will make the wrappers extra crispy. Once the water has completely evaporated, remove the dim sum from the pan and serve them up!

Enjoy your delicious, crispy dim sum!

Use a wire rack to prop up a plate

If you don't have a steamer, one of the easiest ways to cook frozen dim sum is by using a wire rack to prop up a plate in a pot filled with water.

First, fill a pot or wok with a few inches of water. Then, place your wire rack at the bottom and use it to hold up a heat-safe ceramic plate or dish, ensuring that the water doesn't touch the dish.

Before adding your dim sum, either brush the plate with a thin layer of oil, add some parchment paper, or lay some leafy vegetables like lettuce or cabbage to prevent sticking.

Next, carefully place your frozen dim sum on the dish, leaving some space so they don't stick together.

Bring the water to a boil, put a lid over your pot or wok, and let the dim sum steam for about 10 minutes, or until cooked through.

When your dim sum is done, remove your dish from the pot (be careful, as the plate will be hot) and enjoy with your favourite dipping sauce.

Use aluminium foil to prop up a plate

If you don't have a steamer, you can use aluminium foil to prop up a plate and steam your dim sum. Here's how:

First, fill a pot or wok with a few inches of water. Then, take three pieces of aluminium foil and scrunch them up into balls of roughly equal size. Place these balls of foil into the bottom of your pot or wok.

Next, take a heat-safe ceramic plate and place it on top of the foil balls, ensuring that the water doesn't touch the plate. Space out your frozen dim sum on the plate, being careful not to let them touch each other. You can brush the plate with a thin layer of oil or use parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking.

Once your dim sum is on the plate, bring the water to a boil. Then, put a lid on the pot or wok and let the dim sum steam for about 10 minutes, or until cooked through. Be careful when removing the plate from the pot, as it will be hot. Serve your dim sum with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!

This method is a great way to steam dim sum without a steamer, and it's simple to do with household items.

Frequently asked questions