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Sat, 01 Aug 1998

JP/Dim Sum knows the way to someone's heart

Dim Sum knows the way to someone's heart

JAKARTA (JP): Great food not only has to do with the stomach, it also touches the heart. And this ancient philosophy is now brought to you by way of a Dim Sum promotion, being held at a top hotel in the heart of the city.

The history of Dim Sum, which literary means "to touch the heart", dates back some 3,000 years. According to Mandarin Oriental Jakarta's director of public relations, Ria Leimena, a book published during the Sung Dynasty says that Dim Sum are snacks customarily served during breakfast time.

Dim Sum was one of the delicacies enjoyed by an emperor of that time. When the Mongols invaded, the emperor fled from his northern capital to the south, thus this delicacy was also brought down and spread all over the country.

There is a great variety of Dim Sum, consisting of steamed, fried, baked and deep fried snacks made from either traditional recipes, or new creations, combining flavors of the East and the West.

Mandarin Oriental Jakarta is currently holding a two-week Great Hong Kong Dim Sum King Promotion, through to Aug. 9.

The following is one of the recipes prepared by Chef Andy Leong:

Potato Dumplings filled with marinated seafood.

Dough:

Steamed potatoes - 600 grams

Wheat starch - 400 grams

Glutinous flour - 300 grams

Hot water - 400 grams

Salt - 10 grams

Pour hot water into a mixing bowl containing wheat starch, potatoes and glutinous flour. Mix well. Place mixture on a clean working surface and add salt while kneading mixture into a smooth dough.

Filing:

Fresh crab meat - 300 grams

Fresh papaya - 200 grams

Fresh cucumber - 150 grams

Mayonnaise - 200 grams

Finely chop the cucumbers and papaya and mix well with the crab meat and mayonnaise.

Form potato dough into small balls of approximately 4 grams each, then flatten slightly. Add a small amount of filling to the center and mold dough around filling to form a pear shape.

Heat quantity of oil in a wok and deep-fried dumplings over a high flame until golden brown. Garnish with some crispy green vegetables and serve. (sim)