Chinese Turnip Cake Recipe: Easy and Delicious Homemade Version

Chinese turnip cake, also known as lo bak go, is a traditional dim sum dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is a savoury cake made from shredded turnips, rice flour, and a variety of other ingredients. The dish is popular in China, Hong Kong, and other parts of Asia, and it is often served during special occasions such as weddings, Chinese New Year, and other celebrations.

The recipe for Chinese turnip cake varies from region to region and from family to family. However, the essential ingredients remain the same: shredded turnips, rice flour, and water. Other ingredients that are commonly added include dried shrimp, Chinese sausage, mushrooms, and scallions. Some recipes also call for the addition of seafood such as prawns or scallops, which can add a delicious flavour to the dish.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese turnip cake is a traditional dim sum dish made from shredded turnips, rice flour, and other ingredients.
• The recipe for Chinese turnip cake varies from region to region and from family to family.
• Seafood such as prawns or scallops can be added to the recipe to add a delicious flavour to the dish.

History and Significance

Chinese turnip cake, also known as lo bak go, is a traditional dish that has been enjoyed for centuries in China. It is a savoury cake that is made from grated turnips, rice flour, and a variety of other ingredients.

Cultural Ties to Chinese New Year

Chinese turnip cake is particularly popular during Chinese New Year celebrations. This is because turnips are believed to bring good luck and joy in Chinese culture. The cake is often served as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune for the coming year. It is also a popular gift to give to friends and family during the festival.

Popularity in Dim Sum Restaurants

Chinese turnip cake is also a staple in dim sum restaurants. It is usually served as a small, fried cake that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The cake is often paired with soy sauce or chilli sauce to enhance its flavour.

If you are looking to try something new, you can experiment with adding seafood to your Chinese turnip cake recipe. For example, you can add dried shrimp or scallops to the mix to give the cake a unique flavour and texture. Alternatively, you can serve the cake with prawns or squid as a topping.

Overall, Chinese turnip cake is a delicious and versatile dish that is enjoyed by people all over the world. Whether you are celebrating Chinese New Year or simply looking for a tasty snack, this cake is sure to delight your taste buds.

Essential Ingredients

When it comes to making a delicious Chinese turnip cake, the right ingredients are crucial. Here are the essential ingredients you'll need to make the perfect turnip cake.

Choosing the Right Radish

The main ingredient in turnip cake is daikon radish, which is a large, white root vegetable commonly used in Asian cuisine. When selecting your radish, look for one that is firm, heavy, and has a smooth skin. Avoid any radishes that are soft, wrinkled, or have blemishes.

Rice Flour and Starches

Rice flour and cornstarch are used to bind the ingredients together and give the turnip cake its signature texture. It's important to use the right type of rice flour, which is sticky or glutinous rice flour. You can find this at most Asian grocery stores. Cornstarch is also used to help bind the cake together.

Proteins and Aromatics

Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, and shiitake mushrooms are the key proteins and aromatics used in turnip cake. Chinese sausage is a sweet and savory sausage that adds a lot of flavor to the cake. Dried shrimp and shiitake mushrooms are also used to add depth of flavor to the cake.

If you want to add seafood to your turnip cake, dried scallops or dried oysters are great options. They add a rich, umami flavor that complements the other ingredients well. Just make sure to rehydrate the seafood before using it in the recipe.

In summary, the right ingredients are crucial to making a delicious Chinese turnip cake. Make sure to choose a firm and heavy daikon radish, use sticky rice flour and cornstarch to bind the ingredients together, and include Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, and shiitake mushrooms for flavor. If you want to add seafood, dried scallops or oysters are a great choice.

Preparation Techniques

Grating and Pre-cooking the Radish

To make a perfect Chinese turnip cake, you will need to start by grating the daikon radish. You should use a grater to shred the radish into thin strips. After shredding, you need to pre-cook the radish strips. You can do this by stir-frying the radish strips in a pan with a couple of tablespoons of oil. This will help to remove any excess moisture and give the radish a slightly caramelized flavour. You can also add some soy sauce or oyster sauce to the pan to add some extra depth of flavour.

Mixing the Batter

Once the radish strips are pre-cooked, you can mix them with the batter. To make the batter, you will need rice flour, cornstarch, salt, sugar, and white pepper. Mix these ingredients together in a bowl and slowly add water to create a smooth batter. You can also add some chopped scallions or shallots to the batter to add some extra flavour.

Layering Flavours and Textures

To make your turnip cake more flavourful and interesting, you can layer different textures and flavours. You can add some diced Chinese sausage, dried shiitake mushrooms, dried scallops, and dried shrimp to the radish strips before mixing them with the batter. The dried seafood can add a rich umami flavour to the turnip cake.

You can also layer the turnip cake with some sliced lap cheong (Chinese sausage) or crispy fried shallots before steaming. This will add some extra texture and flavour to the turnip cake.

Overall, to make a perfect Chinese turnip cake, you need to follow the right preparation techniques. Grating and pre-cooking the radish, mixing the batter, and layering flavours and textures are the key steps to making a delicious turnip cake.

Cooking Methods

Steaming the Cake

Steaming is the traditional and most common method of cooking Chinese turnip cake. To steam the cake, you will need a steamer basket or a wok with a steaming rack. First, grease a shallow cake pan or a heat-proof container with oil. Pour the turnip cake mixture into the pan and smooth the surface. Next, place the pan into the steamer basket or the wok and steam for about 45 minutes to an hour. You can check the doneness of the cake by inserting a toothpick or a knife into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

If you are a seafood lover, you can add some dried shrimp or scallops to the turnip cake mixture to give it an extra umami flavour.

Pan-frying for Crispiness

Pan-frying the turnip cake is another popular way of cooking it. To pan-fry the cake, you will need a non-stick frying pan or a cast-iron skillet. First, slice the steamed turnip cake into pieces of your desired thickness. Heat up some oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Place the turnip cake slices into the pan and cook until the bottom is crispy and golden brown. Flip the slices over and cook the other side until it is also crispy and golden brown. Serve hot with your favourite dipping sauce.

You can also add some diced Chinese sausage or mushrooms to the pan-fried turnip cake for extra texture and flavour.

Remember to use a wok or a frying pan with a non-stick surface to prevent the cake from sticking.

Serving and Storage

Accompaniments and Dipping Sauces

Chinese turnip cake is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of dipping sauces. The most popular dipping sauce for turnip cake is XO sauce, a spicy seafood sauce that adds a rich umami flavour to the dish. Other dipping sauces that pair well with turnip cake include chilli oil, soy sauce, and red vinegar.

If you want to add seafood to your turnip cake, dried shrimp and scallops are commonly used in traditional recipes. However, fresh shrimp or crab can also be used to add a fresh and delicious taste to the dish. When using fresh seafood, make sure to clean it thoroughly and remove any shells or debris before adding it to the turnip cake mixture.

Storing for Later Enjoyment

Chinese turnip cake can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later enjoyment. If you plan to eat it within a few days, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, simply steam the turnip cake for a few minutes until heated through.

If you want to store the turnip cake for a longer period of time, it can be frozen. Wrap the turnip cake tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you're ready to eat it, defrost the turnip cake in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it by steaming.

Overall, Chinese turnip cake is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you're eating it on its own or with dipping sauces, or adding seafood to the recipe, turnip cake is sure to be a hit. And with proper storage, you can enjoy this tasty dish anytime you want!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make a vegetarian version of turnip cake?

To make a vegetarian version of turnip cake, you can leave out the Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, and dried scallops. Instead, you can add chopped shiitake mushrooms and other vegetables of your choice, such as carrots and celery. You can also use vegetable stock instead of chicken or pork stock to add more flavour.

What ingredients do I need for a classic turnip cake?

The classic turnip cake recipe typically calls for grated daikon radish, rice flour, cornstarch, Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, dried scallops, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, and seasonings such as salt, sugar, and white pepper. Some recipes also include water chestnuts or carrots for added texture.

Could you suggest a simple method for preparing turnip cake?

To make turnip cake, you need to first soak the dried shrimp and dried scallops in hot water until they become soft. Then, sauté the Chinese sausage, shrimp, and mushrooms in a pan until fragrant. Mix the grated daikon with rice flour, cornstarch, and seasonings, then add the sautéed ingredients and stock to the mixture. Steam the mixture in a cake pan for about an hour until cooked through.

What's the secret to achieving the perfect texture for turnip cake?

The secret to achieving the perfect texture for turnip cake is to use the right amount of liquid and to steam the cake for the right amount of time. Too much liquid can make the cake mushy, while too little can make it dry and tough. Steaming the cake for too long can also make it tough, while not steaming it long enough can make it undercooked.

Are turnips and daikon interchangeable in turnip cake recipes?

No, turnips and daikon are not interchangeable in turnip cake recipes. Turnips have a different texture and flavour compared to daikon, which is a type of radish commonly used in Chinese cuisine. If you cannot find daikon, you can substitute with other types of radish, but the texture and flavour may be different.

Can eating turnip cake contribute to my overall health?

Turnip cake is a delicious and popular dish, but it is also high in calories and fat due to the use of Chinese sausage and other ingredients. However, turnip itself is a good source of dietary fibre, vitamin C, and other nutrients. If you want to enjoy turnip cake in moderation, you can try making a healthier version by using leaner meats or seafood, and by reducing the amount of oil and sugar used in the recipe. For seafood, you can use chopped prawns or scallops as a replacement for dried shrimp and dried scallops.