Turnip cake, also known as “lo bak go” in Cantonese, is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine, especially during the Lunar New Year. Despite its name, it is not actually a cake but a savory, steamed rice flour dish made with grated daikon radish (often called turnip in Chinese cooking). The dish is packed with flavors from ingredients like dried shrimp, Chinese sausage, and mushrooms. It is traditionally sliced into pieces and pan-fried for a crispy exterior, while maintaining a soft and tender interior.
This guide will walk you through the steps of making delicious homemade turnip cake, from preparing the ingredients to serving the dish.
Ingredients for Turnip Cake
The ingredients for turnip cake are simple but flavorful. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 medium daikon radish (about 1 lb/450 g)
- 2 tablespoons dried shrimp
- 2 Chinese sausages (lap cheong)
- 4-5 dried shiitake mushrooms
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for cooking)
Equipment
- Grater or food processor
- Steamer or a large pot with a lid
- Mixing bowls
- Non-stick pan (for frying)
- Cake tin or heatproof dish (for steaming the cake)
Step-by-Step Process of Making Turnip Cake
1. Prepare the Daikon Radish
The daikon radish is the base of the turnip cake. To start, you need to peel and grate the radish:
- Peel the skin of the daikon radish using a vegetable peeler.
- Grate the daikon using a box grater or food processor. Aim for fine or medium shreds.
Once grated, squeeze out the excess moisture from the radish. You can do this by placing the grated radish in a clean kitchen towel and twisting it to release the liquid. This step is essential because the radish will release a lot of water during cooking, and removing some of it helps in achieving the right texture in the cake.
2. Soak the Dried Shrimp, Mushrooms, and Chinese Sausage
Before you start cooking, prepare the dried shrimp, mushrooms, and Chinese sausage:
Dried Shrimp: Place the dried shrimp in a small bowl and cover them with warm water. Let them soak for 15-20 minutes until they soften. Once softened, drain the shrimp and chop them into small pieces.
Dried Shiitake Mushrooms: Place the dried mushrooms in a separate bowl and cover them with warm water. Let them soak for about 30 minutes or until fully rehydrated. Once done, squeeze out the water and chop the mushrooms into small pieces.
Chinese Sausage (Lap Cheong): Slice the Chinese sausages into thin rounds. You don’t need to soak them, but you can briefly steam or pan-fry them to render some of the fat if you prefer.
3. Cook the Ingredients
In a large pan or wok, heat up 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the following ingredients and stir-fry:
- The chopped Chinese sausage slices, cooking for about 2 minutes until they become fragrant and release some oil.
- Add the soaked dried shrimp and stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
- Add the chopped shiitake mushrooms and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Stir everything well so that the flavors meld together.
Next, add the grated daikon radish to the pan and stir-fry for about 5-6 minutes until the radish softens and releases its liquid. This will also help to enhance the flavors of the sausage, shrimp, and mushrooms.
4. Prepare the Turnip Cake Batter
While the radish mixture is cooking, it’s time to prepare the batter for the turnip cake.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the following dry ingredients:
- Rice flour
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- White pepper
- Sugar
Mix these dry ingredients well, then add oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the bowl.
Gradually add 2 cups of water to the mixture, stirring to dissolve the dry ingredients and form a smooth batter. The batter should be a thick, smooth paste that will bind the radish and other ingredients together.
5. Combine the Mixture
Once the radish mixture has softened, transfer it to the bowl with the batter. Stir well to combine everything, making sure the radish, sausage, shrimp, and mushrooms are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Steam the Turnip Cake
To steam the turnip cake, you’ll need a steamer or a large pot with a lid. Grease a round or square heatproof dish or cake tin with some vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Pour the turnip cake mixture into the greased dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
Bring water to a boil in the steamer or large pot. Once boiling, place the dish inside the steamer, cover with a lid, and steam for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The turnip cake should firm up and become translucent when it’s fully cooked. You can check for doneness by gently pressing the top – it should feel firm and not jiggle.
7. Cool and Slice the Turnip Cake
Once the turnip cake is steamed, remove it from the steamer and let it cool to room temperature. Cooling the cake helps it set, making it easier to slice later.
Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut the turnip cake into slices about 1/2 inch thick. You can cut the cake into squares or rounds, depending on your preference.
8. Fry the Turnip Cake
To add texture and flavor, it’s traditional to pan-fry the sliced turnip cake before serving. Here’s how:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
- Place the turnip cake slices in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd them. Fry each side for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Once fried, remove the turnip cakes from the pan and drain any excess oil on paper towels.
9. Serve and Enjoy
Turnip cake is often served as part of a dim sum meal or as a snack. It’s delicious both on its own or with a dipping sauce like soy sauce or hoisin sauce.
You can serve the fried turnip cake slices with a garnish of chopped green onions or cilantro for added freshness.
Tips for Making Perfect Turnip Cake
Radish Water: If you find that the daikon radish releases too much water during cooking, don’t worry. Just continue cooking it until the excess water evaporates, leaving the radish tender and flavorful.
Adjust Seasonings: Taste the batter before steaming and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Some people prefer a bit more salt or soy sauce, while others like a little more sweetness from the sugar.
Substitute Ingredients: If you can’t find Chinese sausage or dried shrimp, you can substitute them with regular sausage or cooked shrimp. However, Chinese sausage and dried shrimp give the dish its unique flavors.
Make Ahead: Turnip cake can be made ahead of time. Simply steam and cool the cake, then store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, just fry it to reheat.
Variations of Turnip Cake
Turnip cake can be customized with various ingredients depending on your preferences or what’s available:
Vegetarian Version: Skip the dried shrimp and Chinese sausage, and add more vegetables like shiitake mushrooms, carrots, or even tofu.
Spicy Turnip Cake: Add some chopped fresh chili peppers or chili oil to the mixture for a spicy kick.
Conclusion
Making turnip cake at home can seem like a bit of work, but with the right ingredients and technique, it is a rewarding dish that will impress your family and friends. It’s a versatile recipe that can be adapted to suit your tastes, whether you prefer it savory, spicy, or with additional vegetables. Enjoy your homemade turnip cake as a tasty snack or part of a traditional Chinese meal.
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