Taro Cake - Woo Tau Koh

Homemade is always so much better as the ones bought for breakfast or tea are often inferior in taste. Years ago there was a lady who sells the kind that i like best in Taman Selera, Old Town, Petaling Jaya. I have sort of replicated the recipe to the best i think it should be. This cake aka koh has many variations and the toppings too have no limitiations. I have eaten a version without toppings but it is served with a minced meat sauce. There is one which cooked black eye peas is added and that is quite pleasant as the peas behave the same as a mashed taro. Some of the toppings are lap yoke, dried prawns, peanuts, choy poh, fried shallots, fresh red chillies and chopped spring onions and i like only dried prawns, fried shallots and spring onions. Would love to have fresh red chillies, only i can get them.



Ingredients:

250g yam, diced and coat with 1 tsp 5 spice powder
1 cup water

(B) Mix together and sieve:

125g rice flour
20g tapioca flour
1 cup water
1/4 tsp potassium carbonate & sodium bi-carbonate solution(optional)
150 g yam, sliced thin, steam then mashed

Seasoning:

1 tbsp chicken stock granules
1 tsp soya sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sesame oil
Dash of pepper
1 tsp sugar

For garnishing:

100 dried prawns, soaked and chopped coarsely - use the food processor
4 shallots, sliced and mix with 1 tsp oil, microwave on high until crispy
2 stalks spring onions, chopped
2 red chillies, chopped

Chilli sauce :

10 red chillies, (chop or blend in the food processor)
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 tbsp lemon/lime juice (can be substitue with vinegar)


Method:

Heat 4 tbsp oil and saute dried prawns till fragrant. Remove 3/4 and set aside for garnishing.

Add 2 tbsp oil to the remaining oil in the wok, add diced yam and stir fry well. Mix in water and bring to a boil.

Add in (B) and seasoning and cook till batter is fairly thick.

Pour thick batter into a well-greased 25cm round tray.

Steam till kuih is set and cooked through. Spread the garnishing on top and press lightly. Leave aside to cool.

Serve yam cake with chilli sauce.

Serves