Pumpkin Steamed Rice-Cake Recipe

MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE...
I'll admit it's lots of work, but so worth it. Kaj and I both had 2nds and 3rds. This is a common absolutely mouthwatering, to-die-for snack in Asia (to me at least). It's one of my favourite childhood dish which I used to beg my mom make all the time. It's more commonly made with Yam (Taro) - 'yam ricecakes'. Since it's so hard to find yam here in Sweden, I've learnt that you can make equally yummy ricecakes with Pumpkins (slightly sweeter).


To make this heavenly dish, you'll need the following:

Rice-Cake
pumpkin ( I used butternut squash)
400 g rice flour
2 1/2 tbsp tapioca starch
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
2 cups warm water

Toppings
Pork Belly/ Chicken fillet, thin strips (premarinated with splash of soy sauce and sherry)
6-8 pieces Shitake Mushrooms, soaked in warm water till soft, finely diced
2 red chillies,finely chopped
2 stlk green onions, finely chopped
a handful pickled turnip/ salted veg, finely chopped
a handful dried shrimps, soaked and softened then finely chopped
soy sauce
sherry (optional)
fried onions/ shallots

Instructions:

1. Skin pumpkin and boil for 30 minutes/ until soft. thoroughly mash pumpkin flesh. Set aside to cool.
   
2. To make rice cake: mix flour + starch+ salt + sugar. Slowly add in warm water whilst stirring to avoid clumps. You want to get a silky milk-like texture (adjust water amount). Set aside for 15 - 30 minutes.
3. Add mash pumpkin into flour mixture.
   
4. Prepare steamer at high heat. Place flour mixture into a tray unto the steamer. Steam for at least an hour.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the toppings for garnishing later. Heat 4 tbsp of oil in a wok and fry pickled turnip for ~ 5 minutes. Add in chopped dried shrimps and fry til crispy and fragrant. Add green onions and stir fry for abit. Remove and set aside.
6. Add in meat into the wok (avoid adding oil if using pork belly). Fry until meat changes colour and slightly crispy (personal liking). Add in mushrooms and a few splash of soy sauce (to taste). Stir fry for a few minutes. Remove and set aside.
7. Now to plate : Remove rice cake from steamer and let cool for some time. Slice out serving portion and garnish with fried toppings. To further enhance flavour and appearance add freshly chopped chillies, green onions and fried shallots.
8. Voila, ready to be served. I like mine with some chilli-garlic sauce. Smaklig maltid!
   

Prep Time: ~ 2 hours.
Difficulty level: moderate