Festive Yam Abacus Seeds 算盘子

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Instructions

 

To make yam abacus

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  Peel and cut yam into slices.
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  Steam the yam till very soft and cooked, about 30 minutes. If using a wok to steam, be sure to boil the water first before steaming the yam.
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  Check for doneness with a chopstick, if able to poke through the yam, then its cooked.
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  At the meantime prepare ingredients needed to make the yam abacus seeds which are tapioca flour, cooking oil, salt and hot boiling water.
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  Once the yam is cooked, quickly transfer it to a stand mixing bowl with a K hook attached.
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  Using the lowest speed, mix until the hot steamed yam has been mashed.
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  Add in tapioca flour.
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  Then add in salt.
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  And the cooking oil.
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  Lastly add in the hot boiling water a little at a time.
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  Mix till the dough comes together.
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  Then change to the dough hook, using the lowest speed, continue to mix for about 10 minutes or until you get a pliable dough. Alternatively, you can mash the hot steamed yam and knead the dough by hand.
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  Roll the yam dough into long logs and cut into small even pieces, about 5g each ( or your desired size).
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  Roll each piece in between your palms to form round balls. Use your index finger to make a slight depression in the centre to make it looks like an abacus seed.
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  Continue with the rest of the dough. Try to make the seeds evenly sized so that they can be evenly cooked.
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  Then boil a large pot of water.
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  Add in the yam seeds in batches, stirring well to prevent them from sticking together.
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  Boil for about 15 minutes or until the yam seeds float to the surface of the water.
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  Remove the yam seeds from the boiling water using a strainer.
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  Immediately rinsed them in cold water for about 5 seconds. This process helps to firm up the abacus seeds.
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  Drained the water and then drizzle cooking oil to coat the abacus seeds evenly to prevent them from sticking together.
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  Set aside while you prepare the ingredients to stir fry them. If you don't intend to use them immediately, you can put them in a zip lock bag and put in the freezer.

To stir fry Yam Abacus

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  To stir fry the yam abacus, first prepare the ingredients needed.
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  Then heat up some oil in a wok.
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  Saute minced garlic and shallots till fragrant.
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  Add in dried shrimp and strips of cuttlefish. Continue to stir fry until they are really fragrant and brown. Add in more oil if needed.
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  Next add in the strips of mushrooms and preserved radish.
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  Then add in the strips of black fungus. Fry for about 2 minutes.
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  Next add in the minced meat and fry for about 5 minutes or until the meat is cooked.
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  Lastly add in the yam seeds and stir fry gently to combine, about 2 minutes.
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  Add in oyster sauce ( mix with some mushroom water ).
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  Then the rest of the seasonings, to taste.
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  Add the chopped coriander and red chilli. Stir through another minute. Taste and add more seasonings, if needed.
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  And we're done! To serve, dish the yam seeds in a shallow serving plate and garnish with chopped spring onions, remaining of the red chilli and coriander leaves.