Saturday, January 25, 2014

Dimsum Master Class at The Peninsula Manila

 


DSC06442

I love how elegantly The Peninsula dressed up its lobby for Chinese New Year.
It really is my favorite hotel lobby in Manila!
 

 


DSC06443

Even the flowers match the red and gold lanterns
 
 
 
 
DSC06444
 
 And if you look closely, you'll see there are Chinese lucky charms
hanging on the arrangement
 

 


DSC06456

Because it is Chinese New Year, I decided to learn a new Chinese skill - Dimsum-Making!
I joined The Peninsula's Dimsum Master Class with Dimsum Ambassador Chef Yip Wing Wah. 
 

 


DSC06454

Before they let us in the kitchen, they made sure we washed our hands
properly. Here's Pat washing her hands without water! Lol! :P

 

 


DSC06465

Each student was given an apron, a 2-layer dimsum basket, a tool for scooping up dimsum filling
(I have no idea what it's called, sorry!), and paper and pencil for taking down notes.

 

 

 

DSC06468

 The easiest part of the class was Step # 1: Put the dimsum paper into the bamboo basket. Lol.
 
 
 

 

DSC06474

Then Chef Yip showed us how to make the wrapper for har gau
(or hakaw or shrimp dumpling) 
 

 


DSC06479

Basically, it is mixing flour, cornstarch and boiling water in the right
proportions and kneading it a bit to make a smooth dough

 

 


DSC06484

Keep the dough wrapped until ready to use to prevent it from drying up.
Remember, hakaw wrappers are very sensitive things.

 

 


DSC06470

Chef Yip spoke in Cantonese, and Mr. Teddy Leung, Peninsula Hotels Chinese Food and
Beverage Operations Manager, translated everything into perfect English
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Master made it seem like a breeze. Maybe after 30 years
of practice, I will be as good and fast as he.
 
 

 

DSC06495

Each student was given the chance to show off his skills
 
 
 
 
 
Image
 
That's me showing everyone I had none. Hahaha! :D

 

 


DSC06507

And then he showed us how to put in the filling

 

 


DSC06505

And seal the bundle

 

 


DSC06514

And then it was our turn
 

 

 

DSC06522

Of course I managed to put the wrong filling. This was the filling for chive dumpling. Lol!

 

 


DSC06530

 Ta-Da!!!

 

 


DSC06526

My very first hakaw. Not too shabby for a beginner, methinks! :)

 

 


DSC06511

Chef Yip's

 

 


DSC06534

Mine.
Obviously, I have a serious problem following instructions. 

 

 


DSC06545

Next, we learned to do Chive Dumplings
 

 

 

DSC06546

First, the wrapper. It was a totally different procedure from the shrimp version.
Fresh chives were used to create the pretty green color.

 

 


DSC06548

It involved pouring boiling water onto the mixture and then straining...

 

 


DSC06554

And mixing and kneading again with flour and cornstarch

 

 


DSC06557

Until you get this

 

 


DSC06560

 Fresh chive dumpling wrapper

 

 


DSC06564

It was a totally different way of wrapping, too 

 

 


DSC06563

This time I got the correct filling :P

 

 


DSC06561

Chef Yip's

 

 


DSC06570

Mine

 

 


DSC06575

And then our baskets were ready for steaming 

 

 


DSC06445

While waiting, we had some snacks and refreshments at the next room

 

 


DSC06583

 After 10 minutes...

 

 


DSC06592

Our baskets were ready!

 

 


DSC06593

My shrimp dumplings (including one with incorrect filling, lol)

 

 


DSC06597

My chive dumplings

 

 


DSC06600

We got to enjoy our own creations. Modesty aside, they were very delicious! :P
With classmates Migs Yambao, Cheryl Tiu, and Grace Lim, The Photobomber! :P 
 
 
 
 
 

DSC06604

We also had these sweet Chinese New Year pastries for dessert.
Hi Audrey! :)

 

 


DSC06602

Some bubbly to celebrate everyone's success 

 

 


Photo

Students got to bring home a mini dimsum basket and a bottle of Peninsula XO Chili Sauce

 

 


DSC06579

With Chef Yip and Grace

 

 


DSC06609

I am now a certified Dimsum Master… Master of Eating Dimsum!!!

 

 
The Peninsula Manila: Corners of Ayala and Makati Avenues, Makati City. Tel: +632 887 2888

The Peninsula Manila Website

The Peninsula Academy

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...