12 Months of Dim Sum Project 2021

Update on December 15, 2021: This is my last post of 2021. Hope it’s enough for the rest of the month. I will be focused on trying to live a somewhat peaceful holiday season. Ha! See you in 2022!

In mid-January, I published my first post and I also decided it would be fun to start a 12 Months of Dim Sum project where I tried/created/adapted/veganized/tweaked/tested dim sum recipes I could use for Christmas. If it isn’t already obvious, my family has been pretty cautious during the pandemic. My kid just got her second shot of the vaccine but we’re still not into the idea of dining out unmasked so we’re opting for a homemade dim sum brunch instead of going out.

I didn’t complete a project every month but that’s okay! I did, however, get to complete twelve recipes that are vegan and dim sum friendly and for that I am content. I did what I could despite my hectic schedule (which I really need to scale back on) so now I have ten recipes to share.

Without further ado, here are Twelve Vegan Dim Sum Recipes for Christmas Morning! Plenty of these are able to be made ahead so get started now! Just remember to be reasonable and really try your best not to procrastinate like me. I’m a mess. Don’t be like me. Be better!

This is the order in which I would make the dishes:

1/12

10-Ingredient Vegan Siomai

This recipe is perfect for fellow who are too overwhelmed and/or busy to use homemade dough. It uses store-bought wrappers and vegan ground beef (that isn’t nasty and filled with weird hormones) which makes it the perfect easy recipe.

Make 3-4 weeks in advance: Do everything and assemble. Instead of frying right away, freeze them the way you would freeze sliced bananas like this. Then carefully cook on Christmas Day without thawing first.

2/12

Thick Vegan Potstickers with Ginger Scallion Tofu

So these are jumbo sized dumplings with pretty thick dough. I should’ve said they were empanada inspired or something but I didn’t think of it at the time. These are a hit with my family and picky extended family! Really easy to make even though the dough takes time.

Make ahead 3-4 weeks in advance: Do everything and assemble. Instead of frying right away, freeze them the way you would freeze sliced bananas like this. Then carefully cook on Christmas Day without thawing first.

3/12

Toasted Cumin Scallion Pancakes

Okay, I had to make these a few times to get it perfect! But these are so addictive. Get it! Perfectly crunchy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. Mmm!

Make 3-4 weeks ahead: Roll these babies out and shape them. Then save them with parchment paper in between in an airtight freezer bag. Carefully cook the day of. Might take a minute or two longer than the original recipe so pay attention.

4/12

Sweet and Spicy Chinese Chili Oil Recipe

So this recipe was actually adapted from the talented Woon Heng’s own recipe. Her recipe had less sediment but I wanted mine to have loads since I’m weird and like to chew on the pepper flakes. This chili oil is also a hit with family and friends. Perfectly spicy and no too much – at least to me!

Make 2 weeks ahead: Totally make this ahead and the flavors will marry. Make a 1-2 weeks ahead and store at room temperature. Double the recipe if you don’t have self-control (me too!) and know that you’ll want to use some beforehand for other meals.

5/12

Gluten-Free Asian Dipping Sauce

I wanted a gluten-free sauce that would be good for dim sum. While I’m not gluten-free I do have loved ones who are and I wanted to get something for them too. This is so good though! To make it not gluten-free, simply use soy sauce instead. It’s obviously not authentic in dim sum cooking but we do what we can.

Make ahead: Can make these 1-2 weeks ahead and sore in room temperature. Like with the chili oil, double the recipe if you know it’ll be too tempting and you want to be able to use it before Christmas day for other dishes.

6/12

Instant Pot Red Bean Paste with Adzuki Beans

This is a sweet filling that can be used in different Chinese desserts. I love that these aren’t too sugary.

Make a week ahead: Freeze until the day before and thaw in the fridge- just reheat on stovetop and add a little bit of liquid on the day of. Add sugar if needed due to added liquid which will dilute the flavor a little.

7/12

Instant Pot Congee

This is another fairly easy recipe and is made in the Instant Pot. Perfect dish to just cook while you step away for a little bit. It’s porridge so, of course, it’s fitting for a cold Christmas morning.

Make two days ahead: You can make this a day or two before and just stick it in the fridge. Reheat on the stove or microwave but make sure to add liquid and salt again to taste since the added water will dilute the taste a little.

8/12

Perfectly Golden Sesame Balls

Of course I had to have these on here! These too are addictive but they’re ridiculous good and actually reasonable in terms of sweetness. Oh my…

Make ahead: These can be made in advance but I would suggest not to. If you do need to though, you can make the dough a day in advance and roll it out and fry it the day of. If you want to fry it and then refrigerate it, you will have to cook them at 350° in the oven or convection for 4-7 minutes until they are warmed through. I wouldn’t microwave.

9/12

Sweet Leeks and Ginger Bok Choy

Yes, definitely need some leafy greens! Gotta have that fiber and in a tasty, relatively healthy form. 😉

Make ahead 1-2 days: These could be made a day or two before and just microwaved or refried with a little bit of vegetable oil the day of.

10/12

Crispy Golden Fried Tofu

These are so good! All you have to do is dry the tofu and cube them up. Put them in a plastic bag and shake with cornstarch and their seasonings and then pan-fry on the stove. Mmm. If you have loved ones to share these with, you might want to double the recipe. Ha!

Sort of make ahead: I wouldn’t make this ahead but if you want one less thing to do the day of, you can premix the cornstarch and the seasoning in the sealable plastic bag you are going to use the day of cooking.

11/12

Vegan Ma Lai Go Inspired Spongecake

Okay, this recipe is way easier than it looks. Just do the right thing and make sure the ingredients that need to be at room temperature actually are!

Make ahead: This can be made the day before! Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container.

12/12

Vegan Longevity Noodles

So this one wasn’t originally a dim sum recipe and but was instead for Lunar New Year. But some people (ahem, moi) really do love noodles and always require them so if you’d like an easy noodle recipe for Christmas dim sum brunch, this is perfect for you.

Make ahead: These should be made the day of since they’re noodles. 😉