Cucina: Siomai Love For You

A consistent craving of mine...siomai (spelled shumai in Chinese). From the dumpling family, perhaps the baby among them, with siopao as the big bro. I am the villain cause I am a certified siomai monster, snacking on them like popcorn.

As what food does to me always, memories of days and places where I used to feast on this scrumptious Chinese food, would come flooding in, intensifying the craving.

Being in this part of the world, where dim sum houses are no where to be found and those who try to sell it here doesn't meet the taste I'm looking for. What's left to do is to recreate it myself. Recreate, because I have to substitute some of the ingredients unavailable here.

Despite researching and several reviews, of recipes online, I still didn't follow the measurements provided. When I am cooking, like when I am painting, I sort of went into a trance. After studying and prepping all the ingredients. I sprinkled the powder and splashed the liquid components like I am possessed. Again, it's all about having fun and loving what we do. As the saying goes..."it's not the destination that matters, it's the journey". Well, if the destination (finished dish) didn't turn out as envisioned or as per the expected flavor, I can still live with it, call it a day and try again some other day.

Here's my "journey" in photos...

Pork was substituted with minced chicken and the shrimp was omitted as I didn't want to see the "Thing" of Fantastic 4! (Someone's so highly allergic to shrimp that he swells, rock like shape all over him, resembling "Thing") The "Human Torch" is ok.... =)