Delicious Chinese Dim Sum Turnip Cake

Ingredients

900g mooli or white turnip

2 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked overnight and finely chopped

1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger

2 spring onions, finely sliced

1 to 2 teaspoons salt

½ teaspoon white pepper

1 to 2 teaspoons light brown sugar or rock sugar

150g rice flour

2 tablespoons cornflour

Mushroom soaking liquid plus water to make a paste

Vegetable oil, for frying

Chilli sauce and hoisin sauce, to serve

PREPARATION

Method

1. Prepare the turnip

Grate roughly two thirds of the turnip and cut the remaining third into small chunks for texture. Squeeze excess liquid lightly but retain moisture.

COOKING

2. Fry the aromatics

Heat a small amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add ginger and chopped mushrooms. Cook gently until fragrant. Season well with salt and white pepper. Add sugar to balance any bitterness in the turnip.

3. Add the grated turnip

Stir in the grated turnip and cook until it releases moisture and begins to soften. Taste and adjust seasoning.

4. Make the flour paste

In a bowl mix rice flour and cornflour. Add mushroom soaking liquid and water gradually until you achieve a smooth, milky paste.

5. Combine and cook

Pour about two thirds of the paste into the turnip mixture, stirring continuously over medium heat. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until thick, glossy and gloopy. The mixture should hold shape but remain soft. Adjust with more paste if needed.

6. Steam

Transfer the mixture to a greased tray around 4 to 5cm deep. Push the chunky turnip pieces into the mixture and smooth the surface. Scatter spring onions over the top. Steam over full heat for 45 minutes until fully set.

7. Chill

Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for several hours or overnight to firm up fully.

8. Slice and fry

Oil a knife before slicing into pieces. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry each piece until golden and crisp on one side before carefully turning and crisping the other side.

Serve hot with chilli sauce and hoisin sauce.

School of Wok Tips

• Season generously at the start. Turnip cake needs bold seasoning to shine.

• Cook the flour paste until properly gloopy before steaming.

• Chill fully before slicing to prevent breaking.

• Use enough oil when frying to achieve a crisp golden crust.

FAQs

Why is my turnip cake too soft?

It may not have steamed long enough or needs more chilling time to fully set before slicing.

Can I add dried shrimp?

Yes? Traditional versions include soaked dried shrimp for extra savoury depth.

Why does it need chilling before frying?

Chilling firms up the rice flour structure, making it easier to slice and fry without falling apart.