dim sum

My kids love dim sum. I make it a few times a month for them. There are about 7 or 8 different kinds that I make and they are all pretty easy.

Pork Dumplings
Tyler Florence's Real Kitchen

filling
3/4 pound ground pork
1/4 pound shiitake mushrooms
1/2 medium turnip, peeled and grated
1 green onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/4 bunch fresh cilantro
1 egg white
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons dry sherry
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

wonton wrappers
1 egg white


Place all filling ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth.

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and lightly dust with cornstarch.

Lay a wrapper on a flat surface with one corner facing you. Brush the surface with the beated egg white and drop 2 teaspoons of the filling in the center. Fold the wrapper in half, corner to corner, to form a triangle. Press the seams together to seal. Brush the two points with the beaten egg and bring togther, pinch to seal.

Place finished dumplings on the cookie sheet.

Lightly oil the bottom of a bamboo steamer. Place as many dumplings that will fit without touching (about 12 per shelf). Bring about 2 inches of water in a wok to a boil. Set steamer in wok and cover steamer with bamboo lid. Steam for about 12 minutes.

Serve with steamed rice and soy sauce for dipping.

playdate dinner

Every once in awhile I will have one of the kids friends over for dinner. It is alway a challenge figuring out what to make for dinner. For the most part, and compared to other children, my kids eat well. I never know what other children will or will not eat. Tonight for the play date dinner I made Tyler Florence's Ultimate Mac and Cheese. It is awsome. I make it every once and awhile for dinner here. Serve it with some spinach (have to get the greens in) and you are good to go. It is perfect on a cold and wet night like tonight. Comfort at its best.

Ultimate Mac and Cheese
Tyler's Ultimate

1 lb. elbow macaroni
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
3 Tbsp. flour
4 cups warm
5 1/2 cups shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste


Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook for 8 to 9 minutes, until al dente. Drain.

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to keep lumps from forming. Gradually whisk in the milk and, whisking vigorously, cook until mixture is thick and smooth.

Stir in 4 cups of the cheese and continue to cook and stir to melt the cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the cooked macaroni and the parsley to the skillet, and stir to coat. Scrape into a 3-quart baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 11/2 cups cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Serves 8