Hakka Abacus Seeds

Introduce

Chef :

Pinkblanket's Kitchen

Hakka Abacus Seeds

This is a traditional Chinese Hakka dish, served during the Lunar Year as it signifies wealth and prosperity. It is made of yam and tapioca flour. It can be made into a vegetarian dish by omitting the meat or seafood.

Ingredient

500 g

finely mashed Yam - white or purple

170 g

Tapioca flour - or as needed to make a soft dough

Pinch

salt (optional)

1 tbsp

Minced garlic

big Shallots - chopped

1/4 C

dried shrimps - softened & chopped

10-15

Dried Shiitake mushrooms - softened & thinly sliced

98 g (1 packet)

Black fungus - sliced

2 tbsp

oyster or mushroom sauce

1 tbsp

Light soy sauce or to taste

1/4 tsp

White Pepper Powder

As needed

- Chicken seasoning powder or chicken bouillon

1/2 tsp

sugar (optional)

Cooking instructions

* Step 1

A - Cut yam into small cubes. Next, Steam or boil until it is soft enough to mash. Boiling yam requires water that is just enough to cover the yam. Use masher, blender or fork to mash cooked yam into a very fine paste. Add tapioca in small batches until you form a very soft dough. If your yam is steamed, add water little by little to your yam and flour mixture. Boiled yam, on the other hand, is easier as u can mash the yam and use liquid used to boil the yam in making the dough.

* Step 2

Knead dough while it's hot. Keep kneading until everything is well combined & dough it's no longer sticking to your hands. Take some dough, roll into a long thin log. See pic. Cut into desired thickness. Roll each cut portion into a ball. To shape it into an abacus seed, flatten lightly using your finger to form a cavity.

* Step 3

Boil enough water in a big deep pan, wok or a pot. Add 2 tbsp of cooking oil into the pot. Make sure the water is boiling before cooking the seeds (abacus seeds). Next, Drop enough seeds into the pot. Pls note that Cooked abacus seeds float. Once floated, remove them out and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Using a slotted spoon, remove abacus seeds from cold water to a plate. Drizzle with enough cooking oil to avoid them sticking. Set aside.

* Step 4

B. Cooking Abacus Seeds - Heat 2-3 tbsp of oil in a pan. Sauté garlic & shallots until translucent. Add minced meat or chicken, if using, and cook until it's nearly done. Add C (sauces & Seasonings), chopped shrimps, shiitake, black fungus & a bit of water. Stir for a minute. Stir in abacus seeds and toss to mix everything well. Taste & adjust seasonings accordingly.