Asian Bean Cakes Food

MUNG BEAN CAKE

Steps:

• Pre-soak the yellow mung beans overnight. Rinse and dry in the next day.
• In a high pressure cooker, add clean water to slightly cover the mung beans and cook with a bean procedure until the beans are soft and easy to smash. Then smash them with a spatula until a smooth and fine mixture. Transfer it to a non-stick pan.
• Add pinch of salt, butter and vegetable oil to the mung bean mixture. Heat over medium slow fine and keep stirring in the process. Add sugar when the oil is well absorbed. Keep stirring until they can sticky together easily. Turn off the fire.

STIR-FRIED RICE CAKES (NIAN GAO)

Steps:

• Marinate the julienned pork with the water, light soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, vegetable oil, and cornstarch. Allow to sit for 20-30 minutes, while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• Rinse the rice cakes and drain. If using fresh or frozen rice cakes, you do not have to soak or thaw them. Only soak (according to package instructions) if using dried rice cakes.
• Thoroughly wash the baby bok choy (or napa cabbage). Drain, shaking off excess water. If using baby bok choy, separate into individual leaves. If using napa cabbage, cut the large leaves into smaller bite-sized pieces. Also prepare the garlic and scallions.
• If using mushrooms, slice them thinly. If using dried shiitake mushrooms, save the soaking liquid.
• Place your wok over high heat until it begins to smoke lightly. Add the vegetable oil to coat the wok, and add the pork and garlic. Cook until the pork turns opaque. If using mushrooms, add them now and stir-fry for 1 minute.
• Stir in the scallions, bok choy/cabbage, and Shaoxing wine. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, and move everything to the center of the wok to create an even "bed" of vegetables and meat. Distribute the rice cakes on top (this prevents them from sticking to the wok).
• Add water (or mushroom soaking water for extra flavor). Depending on how hot your stove gets, you can add 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup. Cover, and cook for 2 minutes to steam the rice cakes and cook the vegetables.
• Remove the cover, and add the sesame oil, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper, and sugar. Stir-fry everything together for 1 minute over medium heat. Taste, and season with additional salt if necessary. Continue stir-frying until the rice cakes are coated in sauce, cooked through but still chewy. Plate and serve!

MUNG BEAN CAKE

Steps:

• Rinse the split mung beans under cool running water to remove any dirt or grit. Optionally, you may soak them in 3 cups water for 8 hours, but due to their small size, soaking mung beans isn't necessary. 1 cup dried split beans will yield 3 cups after soaking.
• Whether soaked or unsoaked, add the mung beans to the Instant Pot with 1 1/2 cups water. Cover and seal the lid and pressure cook using the Beans setting. Allow for a Natural Pressure release.
• Using a rubber spatula, stir and smash the cooked beans, then add salt, oil and butter. Turn on the Saute setting and use the rubber spatula to stir ingredients together until a smooth paste forms and oil is absorbed. Stir in the sugar and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
• If adding color, divide the dough into equal sized portions. Mix thoroughly to the desired color preferred. I used about 5 grams dry food powder color for each portion.
• Optionally, for a smoother consistency, use a silicone spatula to press each batch of dough, one at a time, through a fine mesh sieve. Scrape any remaining dough on the underside of the sieve into a bowl.
• Using a food scoop or kitchen scale, portion dough into balls weighing 50 grams (scant 4 tablespoons) each. Press each dough ball into a moon cake mold (See Note 3) using any design you prefer. Place each dessert on tray lined with silpat or square of parchment paper (See Note 4).
• Serve immediately at room temperature. If storing, the cakes will keep 1 week covered in the refrigerator.

MOONCAKES

Steps:

• For the lotus paste: Place the dried lotus seeds in a medium bowl and cover with plenty of room temperature water. Let the seeds soak and rehydrate for at least 6 hours, and preferably overnight.
• Rinse the lotus seeds under cold water, then split them in half to remove and discard the green sprout in the center (they are very bitter). Transfer the seeds to a large pot and fill with plenty of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer until the seeds are tender enough to smash with a fork, about 1 hour. Drain well, then transfer the seeds to a food processor while they are still warm, add 3/4 cup sugar and puree until very smooth. (Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water if necessary to get a very smooth texture). Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl.
• Melt 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, then cook until caramelized and deep golden, about 5 minutes. Add the lotus puree and cook, stirring continuously, until most of the moisture has been cooked out and the puree is similar in texture to thick mashed potatoes, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the remaining 1/3 cup vegetable shortening, then continue to cook, stirring continuously, until all of the shortening has fully incorporated and the paste is very thick, glossy and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 6 minutes more. (The final lotus paste should be amber brown in color and almost stretchy in texture.) Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool completely.
• For the mooncake dough: Meanwhile, whisk together the golden syrup, alkaline water and vegetable oil in a large bowl until combined. Add the cake and all-purpose flours, then stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Gently knead the dough until it comes together completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and set aside to rest, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Divide the lotus paste into 12 equal pieces (each about 2 1/2 tablespoons) and roll into golf ball-size balls. Place on a plate and chill in the refrigerator, 20 to 30 minutes. The colder the balls, the easier it will be to shape the mooncakes.
• Roll about 1 tablespoon of the mooncake dough into a ball, then place between 2 pieces of parchment paper that have been lightly dusted with flour. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough to about 1/8 inch thick and 3 1/2 to 4 inches wide. Place one of the lotus paste balls in the center of the dough, and shape the dough around it, pinching the edges to seal. Roll the ball in your hands to smooth the exterior.
• Place the assembled ball in a plastic 2-inch wide miniature mooncake press mold, then turn the press upright on your work surface. Press the plunger down until you feel resistance, then lift the mooncake mold off the table and use the plunger to carefully press the mooncake out. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, then refrigerate while you make the remaining mooncakes in the same manner.
• Bake the mooncakes until the tops are no longer shiny and the dough has just set, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Whisk the egg together with a splash of water in a small bowl, then brush over the tops and sides of each mooncake. Return to the oven and bake until deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more. Let cool on the baking sheet 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Enjoy fresh or store in an airtight container for 2 days (they'll get shinier as they sit).

BLACK BEAN CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the sour cream: Mix all the ingredients together and set aside.
• For the black beans: Combine the black beans with the onion and garlic cloves. Cover with water and bring to a boil, and then simmer, covered. The beans are ready when they are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Drain and set aside to cool down. Drain.
• For the vegetables: Saute all ingredients in a medium saute pan in the oil over medium-high and set aside to cool down.
• For the patties: Take about 3/4 cup black beans after they have cooled and put into food processor and pulse until the beans break apart but don't form a big ball of mush.
• Add the beans to the sauteed vegetables and mix in the flour, cumin, salt and pepper, and adobo and form into 6 to 8 patties.
• Add enough oil to coat a medium saute pan and place over medium-high heat. Add 2 to 3 patties and cook for about 1 minute, and then turn and sear the other sides for 1 more minute. The patties should have a golden brown crust. Place into the oven for about 4 minutes.
• While the patties are in the oven, add enough oil to coat a medium saute pan and place over medium-high heat. Add the red onion and cook for 1 minute. Add the spinach, season with salt and pepper, and wilt. Add the diced tomatoes and toss to warm through.
• Set the spinach in the center of a plate and place 2 to 3 bean cakes on top. Squeeze a little lime juice on top and top off with chipotle sour cream.

RED BEAN MOONCAKES WITH SALTED EGG YOLK

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cover the beans with 4 inches of water and let soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the beans.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the beans and enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring the water to a simmer and continue to cook until the beans are tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Drain the beans and rinse under cold water.
• Transfer the beans to the bowl of a food processor and add the sugar. Puree until smooth.
• Transfer the paste to a medium nonstick skillet. Add 1/4 cup of the oil and cook over medium-low heat, stirring with a flexible spatula until blended and smooth. Add the remaining 1/4 cup oil and cook, stirring, until the paste is darker in color and the oil is completely blended in, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer paste to a heat-proof container and set aside to cool completely. Refrigerate until ready to use. Paste can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months.
• Pour half of the salt into a medium container with a tight-fitting lid. Gently place the egg yolks on the salt, spacing at least 1/2 inch apart. Cover the egg yolks with the remaining salt and cover with the lid. Refrigerate the egg yolks for at least 3 days or up to 5 days.
• Preheat the oven to 200°F. Remove the yolks from the salt and rinse under cold water. Pat each yolk dry with a paper towel. Set dry yolks on a wire rack set over a large rimmed baking sheet and bake until dried and firm, 90 minutes.
• Allow the yolks to cool and then refrigerate in a small airtight container until ready to use (up to 1 month).
• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, canola oil, golden syrup, and alkaline water. Using a flexible spatula, mix to form a shaggy dough, then knead with your hands to form a smooth, cohesive dough. Form the dough into a thick disc, wrap in plastic, and allow it to rest at room temperature for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• On a lightly dusted work surface, divide the dough into 12 equal portions with a bench scraper (for accuracy, weigh with a digital scale, if you have one). Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Working with one piece of dough at a time, flatten with your palm and roll out dough into a 4 inch round. Continue to lightly dust with flour if sticking. Use a bench scraper to help lift up the dough.
• Fill with 1/2 tablespoon bean paste, then half a salted egg yolk, and top with another 1/2 tablespoon paste. Bring the edges of the dough up around the filling. The dough won't initially cover all of the filling; just pinch it together until it completely wraps the filling. Pinch together any cracks that form and roll into a smooth ball.
• Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing at least 2 inches apart. Lightly dust the mooncake mold with flour. Press the plunger of the mold down to apply pressure, but take care not to press too hard. Gently release from the mold. Repeat with remaining dough and filling to form more mooncakes.
• Bake mooncakes until the edges are lightly golden brown, 9 to 11 minutes. Remove the sheet from the oven and allow the cakes to cool on the sheet for 10 minutes.
• Make the egg wash: In a small bowl, mix together egg and water. With a pastry brush, lightly coat the mooncakes with egg wash. Return to the oven and bake until deep golden brown, 10 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack and allow the mooncakes to completely cool on the sheet. Store mooncakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 days to allow the dough to soften before serving.

BAKED BEANS WITH AN ASIAN FLAIR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• In an ovenproof skillet (cast iron works great), brown the ground turkey with the onions, garlic and green pepper until meat is no longer pink and veggies are soft. Drain any grease.
• Add remaining ingredients, except for topping, and simmer gently, stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes.
• Combine the topping ingredients and spread over the meat and bean mixture in the skillet.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until topping is golden brown.