Video:How to Host a Dim Sum Brunch

Transcript:How to Host a Dim Sum Brunch

Hi. I'm Krystyna Rittichier with About.com, and today I'll show you how to host a dim sum brunch.

What is Dim Sum?

Dim sum is a Chinese tradition which originated in tea-houses to refresh travellers who were passing through. Dim sum is frequently enjoyed at brunch or lunch, and traditionally includes tea and successive courses of appetizer type dishes. To host a dim sum brunch, you can make your own food, or you can buy take out food from your favorite restaurant.

How to Serve Dim Sum at a Brunch

While serving dim sum, there is a traditional ordering to how you should serve the courses. First you should serve the light, steamed dishes, next comes the more exotic dishes, then you serve the heavier, fried dishes, and lastly you will finish with dessert.

Tea is an important part of a traditional dim sum brunch. Because tea houses were the original places dim sum was served, thinking of a tea house while you organize you brunch is a great source for inspiration. Think of finger foods and tea served in a calm atmosphere.

How to Decorate for a Dim Sum Brunch

While decorating, try to incorporate warming accents reminiscent of a tea house such as tablecloths, a sunny window, and small accent candles. It will certainly add a classic touch to use Chinese or asian themed dishes and tea cups. Organize the environment so that the guests can remain seated and comfortable throughout the brunch. One way to ensure plenty of table space for so many courses is to include a small table or tea cart next to the dining table to keep an assortment of teas and dishes.

If your guests want to bring something to the brunch, asking them to bring a Chinese tea is a great way to ensure an assortment of teas at your dim sum brunch.

How to Keep Dim Sum Fresh

Another consideration for a multi-course dim sum is how to keep the upcoming dishes fresh and hot. For steamed dishes, the traditional way to keep the food hot is to use a bamboo steamer. While using a bamboo steamer, you do not want to overcook the food, but rather to keep it hot. For this reason, when you place your bamboo steamer over a pot of water, don't use boiling water but only hot steaming water. It is helpful to line the bamboo steamer with a piece of wax paper so that the foods do not stick to the steamer. When you are ready to serve your steamed dishes, they can be served directly in the bamboo steamer.

For exotic dishes, most may be easily kept hot and fresh in a bamboo steamer. However, if you choose an exotic dish that is fried or breaded, you may choose to keep the food hot in the oven using the same method as you will with the fried dishes. Fried Dishes can be kept warm in the oven set to a low temperature until they are ready to serve.

To prevent the fried dishes from overcooking or drying out, it is best to wrap them in aluminum foil while they are in the oven. To serve the fried dishes, you can serve them in a bamboo steamer tray or on a plate.

 For the cold dessert dishes, arrange them on plates and keep them on the tea cart with the assorted teas to create a festive atmosphere. For desserts which are best served warm, place the desserts in the oven on a cookie sheet when you take the fried dishes out to serve. Keep the oven set to a low temperature, and lay a piece of aluminum foil across the cookie sheet to prevent the dishes from drying out. To serve the dessert dishes, use a large serving platter so guests can choose their own dessert.

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