Savory Turnip Cake with a Twist

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) turnips, grated 500g (1.1 lb) turnips, grated
• 200g (7 oz) rice flour 200g (7 oz) rice flour
• 50g (1.8 oz) dried shrimp, soaked and finely chopped 50g (1.8 oz) dried shrimp, soaked and finely chopped
• 50g (1.8 oz) Chinese sausage, diced 50g (1.8 oz) Chinese sausage, diced
• 50g (1.8 oz) shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and finely chopped 50g (1.8 oz) shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and finely chopped
• 3 scallions, finely chopped 3 scallions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 6g
• Protein: 9g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated turnips, rice flour, dried shrimp, Chinese sausage, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, garlic, vegetable oil, sesame oil, salt, white pepper, and sugar.
2. 2.
   Gradually add water to the mixture while stirring continuously until a thick batter is formed.
3. 3.
   Grease a round cake pan or a steaming dish with oil and pour the batter into it.
4. 4.
   Steam the turnip cake over high heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cake is set and firm to the touch.
5. 5.
   Remove the turnip cake from the steamer and let it cool completely.
6. 6.
   Once cooled, carefully remove the turnip cake from the pan and cut it into slices of desired thickness.
7. 7.
   Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil. Pan-fry the turnip cake slices until both sides are golden brown and crispy.
8. 8.
   Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Turnips — Make sure to grate the turnips finely to ensure a smooth texture in the final dish.
• Dried shrimp — Soak the dried shrimp in warm water for about 15 minutes before finely chopping them.
• Chinese sausage — Dice the Chinese sausage into small pieces to evenly distribute the flavor throughout the turnip cake.
• Shiitake mushrooms — Rehydrate the mushrooms in warm water until they become soft, then finely chop them for a delightful texture.
• Scallions — Finely chop the scallions to add a fresh and aromatic element to the turnip cake.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, omit the dried shrimp and Chinese sausage and add more mushrooms for an umami boost.
• Serve the turnip cake with a side of soy sauce or chili sauce for an extra kick of flavor.
• Leftover turnip cake can be refrigerated and pan-fried again for a quick and delicious snack.
• Experiment with different toppings such as crispy fried shallots or sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
• To achieve a crispier crust, pan-fry the turnip cake slices on high heat for a shorter duration.

Serving advice

Serve the Savory Turnip Cake as an appetizer or a main course. It pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.

Presentation advice

Arrange the pan-fried turnip cake slices on a serving platter and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped scallions or cilantro for a pop of color. Serve with a small dipping bowl of soy sauce or chili sauce on the side.