With only two week’s to go until Christmas Day, many of us are considering how to make this holiday season a little extra special. While shopping for gifts can be challenging, things get a little easier when choosing your favourite wine, beer or liquor. However, some of us may not have thought quite so much about the accompanying festive food menu with various treats and nibbles that can subtly enrich any party or festive gathering.
Of course impressing your guests doesn’t mean that you prepare Michelin level cuisine by staying up for days on end researching gourmet recipes or frantically texting your friends for inspiration. Instead, we suggest that you simply try a contemporary twist on festive cuisine that is both innovative and stress-free by preparing Chinese dim sum. Asia Market presents four authentic Chinese tapas for your festive food selection. Each guaranteed to bring festive fun to any occasion this Christmas.
No.1 Happy Buddha Chicken Siu Mai Dumpling
Chicken Siu Mai is a very popular starter sized dumpling served in a small bamboo steamer before the main staple. It originates from the Guangdong province in China where locals enjoy it with traditional Chinese Tea at brunch or for an afternoon snack. The outside wrapping is tender and thin yet it holds the chicken filling remarkably well. Every bite smoothes the palate with a subtle play of umami. Siu Mai is one of the best known Chinese tapas and can be found today in the frozen section of Asia Market. There you can also find other traditional flavours of Siu Mai such as pork and prawn. At the entrance of our Asia Market store you are welcome to sample the Siu Mai that is already cooked on our Dim Sum boat!
No.2 Happy Buddha Chicken Spring Roll
Spring Rolls are certainly not a fast food selection in China, but are instead usually eaten during Chinese New Year. They are primarily served as a starter and their ease of cooking contributes to there ongoing popularity. With a golden crust that wraps around tender meat and vegetable fillings, they taste both savoury and sweet, even without a dipping sauce. Asia Market offers great value on these traditional Spring Rolls working out at only 34 cent per Spring Roll in 50 piece assortments. Taking only 10 minutes to cook these Asian Tapas means that you will enjoy more time to relax and unwind this Christmas!
No.3 Synear Frozen Mushroom Vegetable Bun
Question: What is Kung Fu panda’s favourite snack? If you know the Asian furry warrior then you know that the answer is Chinese buns! In Kung Fu Panda, the unlikely hero Po has a weak spot for his father’s cooking and devours up steamed buns while training!
The simple cooking method for these Chinese buns also contributes to a fuss free approach to party time! Set a steamer on a pot with boiling water, add some prepared frozen buns and set for 20-25 minutes. Simply control the heat at medium and cover.
Be aware that the first bite may be very hot, but given a few moments to cool these can be so enjoyable to eat whilst at the same time warming your hands and your heart! And if Kung Fu is off the menu, why not chill outside with a beer to compliment the lush vegetable fillings as they burst forth with freshness!
No.4 Happy Buddha Lotus Leaf Glutinous Rice
This highly adaptable dish is perfect as both a starter and as part of the main course as the glutinous lotus leaf rice proves consistently satisfying. A rice and chicken dish that is infused with a gentle lotus flower fragrance. There is a striking depth of flavour to be savoured after you open the lotus leaf and the refreshing experience owes much to the focus on pure and natural ingredients in traditional Chinese food culture. Lotus leaf is also regarded as a source for Traditional Chinese Medicine and it provides significant health benefits including reducing blood fat and improving weight management. This is a very healthy party food choice which will appeal to many who are conscious of overindulging this party season. To prepare, simply remove from the freezer 12-18 hrs before cooking and place in a steamer for approx 30 minutes until fully cooked.
