Steamed Savoury Pumpkin Cake ~ 蒸金瓜糕

This is my first attempt at making this 'Savoury Steamed Pumpkin Cake'.  I was a bit hesitant in the beginning and after googling here and there for the recipe, decided upon trying it out.  Fortunately, it turned out well and family members gave the thumbs up.  Phew  ....... worth all the effort, chopping and frying in this weather!

Mixture of rice flour, cornflour, salt and pepper with 800ml water.

Sliced pumpkin.

1st picture  -  Stir fry the pumpkin slices in the wok

2nd picture -  Adding in the flour mixture.

3rd picture -   Cook till mixture is thick and custard like.

Transfer the cooked pumpkin mixture into a lightly oiled pan, before steaming.

Steamed pumpkin cake with sprinklings of radish and dried shrimps.

Believe me, this steamed pumpkin cake is real yummy, had it for dinner and saved some for lunch the next day!

Steamed Savoury Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients

• 350 gm rice flour
• 800 ml water
• 1  level Tbsp cornflour
• 1.1/2 level tsp salt
• A dash of pepper

Mix  all the above ingredients well and set aside.

• 450 gm nett pumpkin (peeled, membrane discarded, sliced thinly)
• 10 shallots - sliced
• 60 gm dried shrimps - washed and chopped
• 100 gm preserved radish ~ 'choy poh' - washed and chopped
• 120 gm pork/chicken fillet  - diced
• 1 level Tbsp chicken granules
• 1/2 cup oil for frying
• 1 red chilly
• Spring onions for garnishing

Preparation

1. In a big bowl, mix thoroughly the rice flour, cornflour, salt, pepper with the water and set aside.
2. Heat up the oil in a wok and shallow-fry the sliced shallots.  Once brown, dish out and drain.  Keep aside the shallot oil.
3. Add in some shallot oil in the same wok and stir-fry the dried shrimps till fragrant.  Dish out 1/2 and push the balance to the side of the wok.
4. Add in some shallot oil if necessary and toss in the meat, stir-fry and mix in the dried shrimps in the wok.  Dish out and keep aside.
5. Remove and leave some shallot oil in the wok and stir-fry the chopped 'choy poh' till cooked.  Dish out and keep aside.
6. Now, add in the remaining shallot oil and stir-fry the thinly sliced pumpkin.  Once the pumpkin is limp, cut into smaller pieces with the spatula.
7. Give a quick stir to the rice mixture and gradually add into the pumpkin mixture, switch to low fire and keep stirring and mashing the pumpkin.  Add in the chicken granules, meat and dried shrimps.
8. Once the mixture has become thick and custard like, transfer the mixture into a lightly oiled pan, 10 inch diameter x 1.3/4 inch deep.
9. Steam on rapidly boiling water for about 1 hour, on medium heat.  Test with skewer till it comes out clean.
10. Once the cake is done, sprinkle in the 'choy poh' and dried shrimps.  Turn off heat.
11. Remove cake from steamer, let the cake cool before cutting up to serve.
12. Garnish with the chopped chilly, spring onions and shallot crisps.  Add in a dash of pepper if desired.
13. Serve immediately with some chilly sauce if preferred.

Pairs well with a cup of hot Chinese tea!

Lunch, next day, pan-fried pumpkin cake!