Starters and Dim Sum

Dim sum, literally translated, means “to touch the heart,” and it really does touch my heart to share some of my mother’s recipes with you. I always smile when I think about dim sum because, other than its supreme deliciousness, it brings back memories of the time my mother and I went on The Today Show to make dim sum in celebration of Mother’s Day and a Chinese steamed bun got stuck to Al Roker’s face.

In this chapter, I share some of the dim sum we made during that appearance, as well as other classic gems such as Potstickers and Crystal Shrimp Dumplings. I also share some of the yummy appetizers that we served in our catering business, like Firecracker Shrimp, which my clients called “Crack Shrimp” because they’re so addicting. (My mother would say, “Why do they call it that? The shrimp isn’t cracked.”) Another popular appetizer on our menu was Edamame Hummus. It’s fresh, light and gluten-free.