Yam Abacus Seeds 芋头算盘子
Abacus Seeds, also known as Suan Pan Zi 算盘子 is a traditional Hakka dish. This auspicious dish is popularly cooked during festive occasions as the abacus seeds signify wealth and reunion. Made with yam and stir fried to perfection!
- Prep time
- 1 hr
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Yield
- 6 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 600 g yam (cut into chunks)
- 200 g Tapioca flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 120 g boiling water
- 500 g yam abacus (half the portion made)
- 3 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tbsp garlic (chopped)
- 1 tbsp shallots (chopped finely)
- 80 g dried shrimp (soaked in water)
- 30 g dried cuttlefish (cut into strips)
- 200 g meat (minced, chicken or pork)
- 40 g mushrooms (soaked and cut into strips)
- 40 g black fungus (soaked and cut into strips)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp chicken stock granules
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- 1
First peel yam and cut into thick slices.
- 2
Steam yam for 30 minutes, till very soft and cooked. If using a wok to steam, bring water to a boil before putting in to steam.
- 3
Quickly transfer cooked yam to a stand mixer (use the K attachment).
- 4
Using the lowest speed, mix until the yam is thoroughly mashed.
- 5
Then add in tapioca flour and salt. Continue to mix.
- 6
Next, add in vegetable oil.
- 7
Lastly, slowly add in boiling water, a little at a time and mix till the dough comes together.
- 8
Then, change to the dough hook attachment. Mix for another 10 minutes on the lowest speed, or until you get a pliable dough. Alternatively, you can also mash the steamed yam by hand and hand knead into a dough.
- 9
When done, divide the dough into smaller pieces.
- 10
Roll into long logs and cut into small even pieces, about 5g each (or your desired size).
- 11
Roll each piece in between your palms to form round balls. Use your index finger to press in the centre of the ball (make a slight depression), forming an abacus seed shape.
- 12
Continue to do the same with remaining dough pieces. Note that making same-sized abacus seeds will ensure even cooking.
- 13
Boil a large pot of water. Add in yam abacus seeds in batches, stirring well to prevent them from sticking together.
- 14
Boil for about 15 minutes or until abacus seeds float up to the water surface.
- 15
Remove from boiling water and immediately rinse in cold water for about 5 seconds. This 'shocking' technique halts the cooking process and firms up the abacus seeds.
- 16
Drain water and drizzle cooking oil. Coating the abacus seeds evenly with oil prevents them from sticking together. And we're ready to fry the yam abacus seeds!
- 17
First soak, then chop dried shrimps. Cut dried shiitake mushrooms, black fungus and dried cuttlefish into strips.
- 18
Mince the meat, then chop garlic and shallots.
- 19
Mix all seasoning ingredients together. And we're ready to stir fry the yam abacus.
- 20
Heat up oil in wok and saute chopped garlic and shallots till aromatic.
- 21
Then add in chopped dried shrimps and cuttlefish strips. Stir fry till dried shrimps turns golden brown and fragrant.
- 22
Next, add in mince meat, sliced shiitake mushrooms and black fungus. Continue to fry and mix everything together.
- 23
Add seasonings and bring to a boil.
- 24
Next, add in the cooked yam abacus seeds.
- 25
Stir fry until sauce dries up. And we're done!
- 26
Garnish with crispy fried shallots, spring onions, chinese coriander and red chilli strips. As always, Enjoy!