12 ounce (340 grams) Chinese radish, (or Korean radish
which is not hot) pared and coarsely shredded (about 2 1/2 cups, lightly
packed)
2 tsp. vegetable oil, plus additional for pan-frying
1/2 Chinese sausage, finely diced
1 scallion ( both white and green parts) or green
onion, finely sliced
1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 3/4 cups rice flour (not glutinous)
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground white pepper
Instruction
If using the dried shrimp, put them in a small bowl and cover them
with hot water. Let them stand for 15~30 minutes to soften. Drain. Mince
the shrimp.
Put the shredded Chinese radish in a saucepan with 1 1/2 cups (335cc)
water. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and cook
for 15 minutes, or until tender. Remove the mixture from the heat.
Measure the radish with its cooking water and add enough water to
make 3 cups (700 grams). Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and cool
to lukewarm.
Heat a skillet; then add the 2 teaspoons of oil. When it is almost
smoking, stir-fry the Chinese sausage, scallion, and dried shrimp for
1 minute. Stir in the cilantro and remove the mixture from the heat.
Set it aside.
Mix the rice flour, salt, sugar and white pepper. Add the mixture
to the radish and its cooking water , and stir to make a thick batter.
Stir in the Chinese sausage mixture.
Oil a 9-inch round cake pan or a bowl which is large enough to hold
all the mixture and small enough to fit in bamboo steamer. Pour the
mixture into thepan. Set up a steamer and bring the water to a boil.
Steam the turnip cake for 40 minutes over high heat, replenishing the
wa ter in the pot as necessary.
Remove the turnirp cake from the steamer and allow it to cool to room
temperature. (The turnip cake may be covered and refrigerated up to
2 days ahead at this point)
Cut into diamonds or squares.
Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. When
it is almost smoking, pan-fry several pieces of turnip cake for about
3 minutes or until browned. Turn to brown the other side. Add oil to
the pan as necessary. Serve hot with hot chili sauce.