A Hakka Dish - 'Suan Pan Zi' or 'Abacus'

Sun - 19 Feb 06

- 10am went to Ray & Joanne's place with Mom to show
- Jo, Jo's godma & Siew Ling how to make this dish
- I learned it as well, now I know...
- it's a lot of work I'll write the recipe below
- Jason & Joanna came to Ray's place, first time they met in a loooong time
- stay till 2.40pm had to bring Mom to show her flat to a potential client
- came home around 4:10pm
- will rest awhile
- but first, put some clothes in the washing machine
- sun it while it's still bright
- wash the car at 5.30pm
- go jogging at 6.30pm

Here's the recipe:-

a. an average size Yam about 500g (Thailand's Yam is best)
- should serve about 8 person
b. tapioca flour
c. salt
d. cooking oil
e. vegetable, can be kai lan, bean sprout, carrots
f. garlic
g. mushroom

1. peel yam, if your hands should feel itchy afterwards, wash hand in warm salt water,
2. cut into cubes for steaming
3. steam the yam until soft for mashing
4. add a dash of salt and mash the yam when warm - spread over a big plate to cool
5. when the mashed yam paste has cooled
6. add tapioca flour and mix - do not add too much, gauge by feel
7. when yam paste is not too sticky - make into 'abacus' shape
8. and put them on plate, use tapioca flour if still sticky
9. boil water, when water is hot and boiling add a bit of oil
10. pour the 'abacus' shaped yam paste into the boiling water
11. when the 'abacus' floats, scoop up into a separate bowl of cold water
12. after all the 'abacus' has been cooked
13. prepare the wok, heat it up
14. put oil to heat
15. put garlic to fragrant the oil
16. put in the carrots strips (carrots should be cut into strips)
17. put in the kai lan
18. put in beansprouts
19. put in the 'abacus'
20. put in the mushroom strips
21. add salt or soy sauce to taste
22. stir fry till all is cook

Serve!

This is for my own reference, try the recipe at your own risk.