Vegan Turnip Cake (Chinese Lo Bak Go)

DESCRIPTION

Turnip cake, also known as radish cake or Lo Bak Go, is a dim sum staple and a Lunar New Year dish as it symbolizes good fortune. This is a vegan version with shiitake mushrooms that is just as tasty and is healthier!

INGREDIENTS

Component

• 600g turnip
• 6 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 200g rice flour
• 250ml water
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for pan-frying)
• Green onion, chopped (optional)
• Sesame seeds (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Steam Turnip Cake

1. Drain soaked shiitake mushrooms (reserve the soaking water), remove stems and chop into small cubes. Set aside.
2. Peel turnip. Then cut into two halves. Grate one half and cut the other half into small strips.
3. In a skillet, add turnip strips and a little bit of water and cook over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally so the turnip does not brown, for about 6 minutes or until turnip becomes translucent. Add more water as needed.
4. Add grated turnip and reserved mushroom water to skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes. Reserve any cooking liquid left. Set aside and let cool.
5. Heat up sesame oil in a clean skillet over medium-high heat and fry mushrooms until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add soy sauce and fry for 2-3 more minutes. Set aside.
6. Pour the cooking liquid from turnip into a measuring cup, and add water to make up to 200ml.
7. In a big mixing bowl, add cooked turnip, mushrooms, water, rice flour, salt, sugar, and white pepper. Mix until combined. Add more water if you prefer a softer cake texture.
8. Pour batter into an oiled container. Steam over medium-high heat for 50 minutes or until an inserted stick comes out clean.
9. You may slice it up now and eat it as is, or you may pan-fry it.

Pan-Fry Turnip Cake

10. Let the steamed turnip cake cool, then put in fridge for 4-5 hours or overnight to firm up.
11. Cut turnip cake into slices.
12. Heat up 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add turnip cake slices and fry both sides until golden and crispy.
13. Serve with chopped green onion, sesame seeds and dipping sauces of your choice. Enjoy!

NOTES

• Adjust grated turnip : turnip strips ratio according to your preference. More grated turnip will result in a smoother turnip cake and more strips will result in a cake with more textural contrast.
• You can use a sweetener of choice instead of sugar.
• Pan-fried turnip cake is quite high in carbs and fat. Enjoy in moderation and with some steamed vegetables for a more balanced meal!
• You can make turnip cake in advance and store the steamed cake in fridge to slice and fry later. It will keep in the fridge for up to a week.
• Enjoy the pan-fried turnip cake as is, or serve with dipping sauces such as vegetarian XO sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, or chilli sauce.

© Chloe Ting Recipes – https://chloeting.com/recipes/vegan-turnip-cake-chinese-lo-bak-go