Chinese New Year Turnip Cake

This recipe is traditionally made during the Chinese New Year season. It can also be found in dim sum restaurants throughout the year.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds lo bak (Chinese white radish) or substitute turnips
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups long-grain rice flour
• 5 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp scallion chopped fine
• 4 dried black mushrooms
• 1/4 cup dried shrimp, chopped fine, soaked in 1 tbsp sherry
• 4 chinese sausages, chopped fine
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp chinese parsley (cilantro) chopped fine
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted

Instructions

1. Peel and grate turnips. Simmer in 1 cup water for about 1 hour or until tender
2. Mix rice flour and turnips in bowl until consistency of thick oatmeal.
3. Add 2 tbsp of oil. Mix well and set aside.
4. Heat 2 tbsp oil in wok.
5. Stir-fry scallions, mushrooms, shrimps and sausages and add to turnip mixture.
6. Add salt, sugar and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
7. Grease a 6" by 9" cake pan. Pour mixture into it. Sprinkle with parsley and sesame seeds.
8. Place on rack in steamer. Steam over briskly boiling water for 1 hour.
9. When cold, refridgerate overnight.
10. To serve, slice 1/4 inch thick, 2 inches wide, and 3 inches long. Fry slices in 1 tbsp oil until golden brown.
11. Serve hot