We love exploring traditional dishes from different places here at the Co-Op. Whether it’s your first time to be here with us for an International Food Drop, or you've already grown to love some of these specials, these items might become a favorite dish for you and your family before you know it!
Some of the most popular items from southern China are actually very small bites that give your taste buds a big punch! So get out the small plates and prepare to enjoy the major differences from around the world when it comes to new tastes and flavors!
What is Dim Sum
Dim sum is a traditional Chinese cuisine that is often eaten for breakfast or brunch or any time you need something to have with tea before your next big meal. There are a variety of dim sum options that are more commonly known as Chinese dumplings.
When you are craving some of your favorite dim sum dishes but aren’t able to get to your local Chinese restaurant, we have provided a few types of dim sum straight from your freezer to plate in minutes! With a mix of fresh shrimp, a crisp vegetable filling, and some traditional Asian seasonings, you get all of the tastes of a traditional dim sum without having to leave your dining room!
What are Potstickers
Another great Chinese food that you can bring into your family’s repertoire of foods is Potstickers. This pork dumpling can be used in the pre-made option offered this month, or you can even make your own using some of our ingredients to make your own potsticker dough and ground pork into the perfect potstickers any time of the year! The garlic and ginger add a little bit of flare to your potsticker, even if it is served on small dishes!
These small bite-sized dishes will be the first thing that your family asks for the next time they want a quick snack or light meal. They are also a good choice when you are looking for heart-healthy options because they have 0 grams of trans fat and would also be great to serve at parties or receptions.
How to Add Dim Sum and Potstickers to Your Family’s Meals
Dim Sum and Potstickers might be little bites, but they each pack a big taste! They are a great option to serve on weekend mornings or the next time you host a large group and want to really impress your guests with different dishes that they haven’t seen before!
Since they are fully cooked, you can heat them up quickly in the microwave, or you can find some great steamer baskets for a more traditional way of serving. Some options to serve with your little bites would be some sticky rice, sweet soy sauce, or alongside other Chinese dishes for a full-on International meal!
You could even use this as a great opportunity to teach your family more about Chinese culture. Have some visuals printed out about how the items on the menu started and how they are typically served in their country of origin. There are so many ways to use food to learn more about the world around us. It is literally the one thing that brings people together no matter where they are from or what their culture is.
The best way for new options to become familiar dishes is to start implementing them into your family’s meal rotations. The good news is that these bite-sized options are easy to store, as they don’t take up a lot of room in the freezer, and they can really add some fun to any mealtime!
If you’re tired of never finding what you need at the local grocery store and want to learn more about How the Co-Op Works, or if you have tried a couple of pick-ups and want to look into becoming a VIP Member, we would love to hear from you!