Hakka Abacus Seeds

Chinese
Chinese New Year
Pork
Pressure cooker
Sides/Snacks

Easy Level:

Slightly less easy

Cook Time:

1 Hr 30 Mins

Servings:

2 Pax

Easily described as the Chinese version of gnocchi, Hakka Abacus Seeds 算盘子 are stir-fried with ingredients that are indigenous to the mountainous regions that Hakkas reside in.

Abacus Seeds, a beloved Hakka delicacy, take centre stage as Sarah shares her intimate connection with this time-honoured dish. Crafted from yam and tapioca starch, infused with the umami richness of dried seafood and meats, Abacus Seeds create a culinary experience that strikes a chord deep within the soul.

Ingredients

Adjust Servings
US / Metric

Abacus Seed

0.00
g
g
Peeled yam
0.00
g
g
Peeled yam
0.00
g
g
Tapioca starch
0.00
g
g
Tapioca starch
0.00
tsp
tsp
Salt
0.00
tsp
tsp
Salt
0.00
tsp
tsp
Sugar
0.00
tsp
tsp
Sugar
0.00
ml
ml
Hot water
0.00
ml
ml
Hot water

Stir Fry

0.00
Dried squid
0.00
Dried squid
0.00
g
g
Dried shrimp
0.00
g
g
Dried shrimp
0.00
g
g
Minced pork
0.00
g
g
Minced pork
0.00
Dried shiitake mushrooms
0.00
Dried shiitake mushrooms
0.00
g
g
Dried black fungus
0.00
g
g
Dried black fungus
0.00
cloves
cloves
Garlic, finely chopped
0.00
cloves
cloves
Garlic, finely chopped
0.00
bunch
bunch
Chinese celery
0.00
bunch
bunch
Chinese celery
Vegetable oil
Vegetable oil

Sauce

0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Fish sauce (to taste)
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Fish sauce (to taste)
0.00
tsp
tsp
Dark soy sauce
0.00
tsp
tsp
Dark soy sauce
0.00
tsp
tsp
Light soy sauce
0.00
tsp
tsp
Light soy sauce
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Oyster sauce
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Oyster sauce
0.00
tsp
tsp
Sugar
0.00
tsp
tsp
Sugar
0.00
tsp
tsp
Sesame oil
0.00
tsp
tsp
Sesame oil
0.00
tsp
tsp
White pepper
0.00
tsp
tsp
White pepper
0.00
ml
ml
Chicken stock or Pork and anchovy stock
0.00
ml
ml
Chicken stock or Pork and anchovy stock

Steps

1

Soak the dried squid, dried shrimp, dried shiitake mushrooms and dried black fungus in water for at least 5 hours until soft.
Soak the dried squid, dried shrimp, dried shiitake mushrooms and dried black fungus in water for at least 5 hours until soft.
Mark as completed

2

To make the abacus seeds, steam the yam slices for 15-20 minutes until they are very soft.
To make the abacus seeds, steam the yam slices for 15-20 minutes until they are very soft.
Mark as completed

3

Transfer the hot yam to a large mixing bowl, and mash into a smooth paste. Add the tapioca starch, salt and sugar and stir to combine roughly. Knead to combine into a dough.
Transfer the hot yam to a large mixing bowl, and mash into a smooth paste. Add the tapioca starch, salt and sugar and stir to combine roughly. Knead to combine into a dough.
Mark as completed

4

If the dough looks dry, drizzle a few tablespoons of hot water at a time, stirring to mix. When the dough starts to come together, add more water little by little. Once you have a cohesive dough, stop adding water.
If the dough looks dry, drizzle a few tablespoons of hot water at a time, stirring to mix. When the dough starts to come together, add more water little by little. Once you have a cohesive dough, stop adding water.
Mark as completed

5

When the dough is still warm but cool enough to handle, use your hands to knead it until smooth.
When the dough is still warm but cool enough to handle, use your hands to knead it until smooth.
Mark as completed

6

Pulling off small bits of dough, roll into a ball, then press between your thumb and index finger to create indentations on both sides. Set aside.
Pulling off small bits of dough, roll into a ball, then press between your thumb and index finger to create indentations on both sides. Set aside.
Mark as completed

7

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook the abacus seeds in batches until they float. Drain them and rinse with cold water, then dunk into iced water to stop cooking.
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook the abacus seeds in batches until they float. Drain them and rinse with cold water, then dunk into iced water to stop cooking.
Mark as completed

8

Drain and drizzle with some neutral-flavoured oil to stop them sticking. Set aside.
Drain and drizzle with some neutral-flavoured oil to stop them sticking. Set aside.
Mark as completed

9

To prepare the sauce, stir all the sauce ingredients together, using only 1 tbsp of fish sauce to start with.
To prepare the sauce, stir all the sauce ingredients together, using only 1 tbsp of fish sauce to start with.
Mark as completed

10

Clean the dried squid, and cut into thin slices. Using a pestle and mortar or food processor, break the dried squid up into a fine consistency.
Clean the dried squid, and cut into thin slices. Using a pestle and mortar or food processor, break the dried squid up into a fine consistency.
Mark as completed

11

Remove the stems of the shiitake mushrooms and slice the caps. Slice the black fungus thinly.
Remove the stems of the shiitake mushrooms and slice the caps. Slice the black fungus thinly.
Mark as completed

12

In a wok over medium-high heat, add some oil. Saute the minced pork until cooked through and separate. Remove the pork and set aside.
In a wok over medium-high heat, add some oil. Saute the minced pork until cooked through and separate. Remove the pork and set aside.
Mark as completed

13

Add more oil to the wok, then sauté the garlic, then the dried squid strips and pounded dried shrimp.
Add more oil to the wok, then sauté the garlic, then the dried squid strips and pounded dried shrimp.
Mark as completed

14

Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and black fungus, and fry everything until aromatic.
Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and black fungus, and fry everything until aromatic.
Mark as completed

15

Pour the sauce in, and simmer everything for 5 minutes.
Pour the sauce in, and simmer everything for 5 minutes.
Mark as completed

16

Add the abacus seeds to the wok, stirring and cooking for another 5 minutes, to allow the abacus to absorb the flavours of the sauce.
Add the abacus seeds to the wok, stirring and cooking for another 5 minutes, to allow the abacus to absorb the flavours of the sauce.
Mark as completed

17

Taste, and add the remaining tablespoon of fish sauce if needed. You can also season with salt and white pepper.
Taste, and add the remaining tablespoon of fish sauce if needed. You can also season with salt and white pepper.
Mark as completed

18

Wash and chop Chinese celery into 1cm lengths, then stir in the chopped Chinese celery before serving.
Wash and chop Chinese celery into 1cm lengths, then stir in the chopped Chinese celery before serving.
Mark as completed

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