Recipes | Viewing Tag: taro

Makes 12 large buns

For the Taro Paste Filling

1. Cut taro halves in half then slice into 5mm thick slices.
2. Place taro into a large steamer basket then steam over rapidly boiling water for 30mins or until cooked.
3. Add cooked taro into a food processor, along with coconut milk/cream, sugar and a drop of ube flavouring. Blitz until smooth.
4. Transfer taro puree to a large non-stick pan.
5. Cook taro puree on medium heat. Steam will be released as the water evaporates from the puree. Keeping moving the puree around in the pan with a spatula to prevent any dark spots from forming. Continue doing this until your puree turns into a paste.
6. Take off the heat and allow to cool completely. You can make the paste ahead of time and chill in the fridge. The paste will set further on cooling.

For the Buns

1. Add sugar, yeast and water to a bowl and mix. Leave for 10mins.
2. Add flour to the bowl of a stand mixer. Make a well in the centre and pour in the yeast mixture. Mix on speed 1 for 10mins. If you don’t have a stand mixer, knead with your hands until the dough is smooth.
3. Form the dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Set aside for 90mins.
4. Mix baking powder and water together in a small bowl. Set aside.
5. After 90min, transfer your dough to a work surface. Roll out into a large rectangle. Pour baking powder mix onto the dough. Fold the dough over the liquid and gently knead until the dough feels smooth (about 2 mins). Divide your dough into 12 equal parts. Form into balls then cover with cling film and allow to rest for 10mins.
6. Divide your prepared taro paste into 12 equal parts and form into balls.
7. Roll out your ball of dough and place a ball of filling in the centre. Gather the dough around the taro filling and pinch together to seal at the top. Place on a square of baking paper and into a steamer basket. Repeat until all 12 buns are made.
8. Add a splash of vinegar into a pot of water and bring to the boil. Lightly mist your buns with water (optional) then steam for 10mins. After 10mins, turn off the heat but DO NOT OPEN THE LID. Leave steamer undisturbed for 3mins before opening the lid.

Serve hot.

Prepare the Sago

1. Add water to a large, deep pot and bring to the boil.
2. Add in sago and give it a stir. Immediately reduce heat to low when it comes to the boil. Cover with a lid and gently simmer for 15mins (stirring occasionally).
3. Turn off the heat and keep the lid on the pot. Let sit for 25mins.
4. Drain cooked sago through a sieve and rinse with cold tap water to remove the excess starch. Place cooked sago in a large bowl filled with iced water and set aside.

Prepare the Taro

1. Bring a pot of water to the boil.
2. Split taro evenly between 2 steamer baskets.
3. Steam for 20mins or until cooked. Set aside.

For the Soup

1. Add coconut milk, water, sugars and knotted pandan leaf into a large pot and bring to the boil
2. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
3. Remove the pandan leaf
4. Add in half of the cooked taro and blitz with an immersion blender/stab mixer until smooth.
5. Drain prepared sago and add into the coconut soup. Stir to evenly distribute. Add salt.
6. Add in cooked taro pieces and gently stir through.

This recipe makes a very generous portion, so there should be plenty of leftovers, or gather some friends or loved ones and share it together.
 

Serves 4-6 (as part of a shared meal)

For the taro:

1. Cut the taro into 1cm slices then steam for 20mins or until cooked.

2. Place cooked taro into a large bowl and add seasonings. Roughly mash to mix the seasonings evenly through the taro.

3. Add wheat starch to a small, heatproof bowl. Add boiling water and mix with a spoon to make a rough paste. Add this paste to the taro and mix to combine.

4. Add 1/2T canola oil to the taro and quickly mix with gloved hands to reach a smooth, shiny ball.

5. Lightly grease a large piece of cling film with oil and place taro onto the centre. Press down and shape into an oval disc (27cmx14cm). Wrap and place in the freezer for a couple of hours or so to firm up.

6. Heat oil in a large wok and deep fry taro disc (remove cling wrap first) until golden. Place on a wire rack to quickly drain.

7. While still hot, cut taro disc into serving pieces on a chopping board and serve with dipping sauce.

For the sauce:

1. Add all sauce ingredients into a small pot and heat to dissolve the sugar. Simmer until the sauce has thickened to your liking.