Steaming Rice, Dim Sum Style: A Beginner's Guide

Steamed rice is a popular dish in Cebu, Philippines. It is a dim sum-style meal where the rice is fried and then steamed, and topped with a starchy pork and prawn sauce. The dish is typically served in individual bowls, with the fried rice pressed firmly to the bottom and the meat mixture poured on top. While there are many variations of the recipe, the key ingredients include pork, prawns, green peas, Chinese cooking wine, and soy sauce. Some recipes also call for oyster sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch to thicken the sauce. This delicious and hearty meal can be enjoyed any time of the day and is a favourite among locals and tourists alike.

Choosing the right rice

Rice Variety

Rice type is an important consideration when making dim sum-style steamed rice. The type of rice you choose will impact the dish's overall texture, flavour, and appearance. For this recipe, it is recommended to use jasmine rice, a long-grain variety known for its fragrant aroma and delicate flavour. Jasmine rice has a slightly sticky texture when cooked, making it ideal for steamed dishes like dim sum. It complements the savoury toppings without overwhelming their flavours.

Rice Quality

The quality of the rice you select will significantly impact the final dish. Choose high-quality rice that is fresh and free from impurities. Look for rice grains that are uniform in size and colour, indicating a consistent product. Avoid rice with discoloured or broken grains, as this may affect the cooking process and the final texture of the dish.

Rice Preparation

Proper rice preparation is key to achieving the desired outcome. Before cooking, be sure to rinse the rice thoroughly to remove any excess starch. This will help prevent the rice from becoming sticky and clumpy during steaming. After rinsing, allow the rice to soak for about 30 minutes, which will help the grains absorb water and result in a more tender texture after cooking.

Cooking the Rice

Cooking the rice correctly is crucial for dim sum-style steamed rice. Use the right ratio of rice to water, typically 1:1, and cook the rice until it is just tender. Avoid overcooking, as this can make the rice mushy and unsuitable for steaming. Once the rice is cooked, spread it out on a tray to cool slightly before proceeding to the next step.

Steaming the Rice

The final step in creating dim sum-style steamed rice is steaming the cooked rice. This step adds moisture and flavour to the dish. Use a steamer basket or a dim sum steamer, if available. Place the rice in a heat-proof dish and steam it for about 10 minutes. This process infuses the rice with a delicate, fluffy texture and a subtle aroma.

By following these guidelines and choosing the right rice, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and authentic-tasting dim sum-style steamed rice.

Preparing the steamer

First, you will need to ensure that you have a steamer. If you do not have one, you can use a wok or a large pot with a lid. Fill the wok or pot with water and place a heat-proof plate or bowl on top of the water. The plate or bowl should be large enough to hold the rice and have a lip to prevent the rice from sliding off.

Next, you will need to prepare the rice. For Dim Sum-style steamed rice, it is typical to use jasmine rice. Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear, then soak the rice for at least 30 minutes. This will help to ensure that the rice is fluffy and tender when cooked. After soaking, drain the rice and add it to a pot with a tight-fitting lid. Add water to the pot, ensuring that the water level is about an inch above the level of the rice. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 12 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

Once the rice is cooked, it is time to assemble the dish. Place the cooked rice into individual bowls and press it firmly to the bottom. Top the rice with your desired toppings, such as pork and shrimp stew or starchy pork and prawn sauce.

Finally, place the bowls of rice and toppings into the steamer. Cover the steamer and steam over high heat for 7-10 minutes. This final step will give the dish the authentic Dim Sum flavour and texture.

Now, your steamed rice, Dim Sum style, is ready to be served and enjoyed!

Making the pork and shrimp stew

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pork belly, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons Chinese cooking wine
• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/2 tablespoon fried shallots (optional)
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• 1/4 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons frozen peas

Method:

• Mix the pork belly with cooking wine, oyster sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
• Heat vegetable oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and shallots; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the pork pieces and fry until browned, about 6 minutes.
• Pour in water, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce. Cover with a lid and bring the stew to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the pork becomes tender and the water is reduced by half, about 30 minutes.
• Cut the shrimp into 3/4-inch pieces. Mix cornstarch and water together in a bowl.
• Bring the stew to a boil again. Add the shrimp and peas, and cook until the shrimp changes colour, about 2 minutes.
• Quickly stir in the cornstarch mixture. Cook and stir until the gravy thickens, 7 to 10 minutes.

Cooking the garlic fried rice

For the garlic fried rice, you will need:

• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
• 2 cups of cooked jasmine rice, cooled, or more to taste
• 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon of light soy sauce
• 3 drops of sesame oil, or to taste

First, heat the vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Next, sauté the garlic until fragrant, which should take about 1 minute. Then, increase the heat to high and add the rice. Cook, breaking up the rice with a spatula, until loosened, which should take 3 to 5 minutes. After this, add the oyster sauce and soy sauce. Continue cooking and stirring until the rice is fluffy and heated through, which should take about 3 minutes. Finally, add the remaining sesame oil and switch off the stove.

Serving and presentation

This dish is all about the presentation. It is served in a unique way, with the rice placed in small bowls and the pork and shrimp stew poured on top. This gives it a steamed effect, mimicking the style of dim sum restaurants. The use of a steamer for 10 minutes is also an option to enhance this effect.

The rice should be firmly pressed to the bottom of the bowl, with the cooked meat mixture on top. This dish is best served immediately while it is still hot and fresh.

The bowls used for serving are typically soufflé bowls, as they resemble the shape of the bowls used in dim sum restaurants. This adds to the overall experience and authenticity of the dish.

The dish can be garnished with chopped green onions or spring onions, adding a pop of colour and a mild onion flavour to the dish.

It is a hearty and flavourful meal, perfect for a family-style dinner or a casual get-together with friends. It is a unique and impressive dish to serve to guests, offering a taste of Filipino cuisine with a dim sum twist.

Frequently asked questions