Yam Cake Recipe (Or Kuih)

Method4 steps · about 1 hr 20 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Soak the cake mixture’s 3/4 cup dried shrimp in warm water until softened, then drain and chop. Heat the 2 tbsp oil in a pan and fry the chopped shallots (5) until softened. Add these shrimp and fry for 3–5 minutes until fragrant, then add the taro (1 1/2 cups) cubes and cook until lightly browned. Keep the ready fried shrimp and shallot crisps for topping separate.

   Uses 2 tbsp oil · 5 shallots, peeled and finely chopped · 3/4 cup dried shrimp for cake mixture, soaked, drained and coarsely chopped · 1 1/2 cups taro, cut into 1–2 cm cubes · Warm water to soak the filling dried shrimp

   
2. 2

   Step 2: Whisk the rice flour (1 cup), wheat starch (2 tbsp), 2 cups batter water, salt (1 tsp), white pepper (1/2 tsp) and five-spice powder (1 tsp) until smooth. Add this batter to the taro pan, stirring over heat until it thickens to a paste.

   Uses Fried taro, shallot and dried-shrimp mixture · 1 cup rice flour · 2 tbsp wheat starch · 2 cups water for batter · 1 tsp salt · 1/2 tsp ground white pepper · 1 tsp five-spice powder

3. 3

   Step 3: Bring the steamer reservoir water to a boil. Transfer the paste to a rectangular tin and steam over high heat for about 45 minutes, until set, the taro tender and a skewer comes out without wet batter.

   Steam taro cake until set · 45 minUses Thickened taro-cake paste · Water for the steamer reservoir

4. 4

   Step 4: Let the cake cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Top with the optional ready fried dried shrimp (1/2 cup), fried shallot crisps, sliced chilli and spring onion (1). Serve with ready chilli sauce or hoisin sauce if desired.

   Cool taro cake before slicing · 10 minUses Steamed set taro cake · 1/2 cup ready finely chopped fried dried shrimp, optional topping · Ready fried shallot crisps for topping · 1 red chilli, seeded and finely sliced, for topping · 1 spring-onion stalk, cut into rounds, for topping · Ready chilli sauce for dipping, optional · Ready hoisin sauce for dipping, optional