Sweet Potato Mantou

During my recent trip to Taiwan, almost every morning we can find some freshly made Mantou in our breakfast menu. In Taiwan, most of their breakfast dishes are Mantou, Porridge with preserved vegetables like caixin, bamboo shoot, salted egg and etc. And other than Mantou, you can also find their famous Baked Golden Sweet Potato in some shops or street market.

So for last weekend, I decided to combine some orange flesh sweet potato with the Japanese sweet potato that can be easily found in any supermarket. This Mantou will give you two different textures, as I have shredded the orange flesh sweet potato as filling and combined the mashed Japanese Sweet Potato together with the flour ingredients.

Ingredients: (makes about 6)
125g Plain Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Active Dry Yeast
20ml Lukewarm Water
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
2.5 Tablespoons Caster Sugar
100 - 120g Japanese Sweet Potato, skin removed
50g Orange Flesh Sweet Potato, shredded
1/2 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
20ml Water

Method:
1. Sift the plain flour and baking powder together in a big bowl together with the caster sugar till combined.
2. Remove the outer skin of the Japanese sweet potato, cut into small cubes (about 1cm) then rinse it with water and place in a microwave safe bowl together with 20ml of water and cook on High heat together with a cup of water for about 4 minutes. (Stop 1 minutes in between and give it a stir so that it will cook evenly)
3. Use a fork or food masher to mash the sweet potato cubes to form a paste, set aside for later use.
4. Add the dry yeast into the lukewarm water and give it a quick stir then set aside for about 5 minutes till bubbles appeared(refer to the picture above).
5. Next slowly stir in the yeast water into the flour mixture and using a pair of chopstick then follow by the mashed pumpkin till it form a soft dough.
6. Rub some oil on your hand then give the dough a quick knead till well combine.
7. Set the dough aside in a lightly flour/oil bowl and let it proof for about 20 - 30 minutes so that the dough will raise slightly bigger.
8. Knead proof dough on a lightly floured work surface for a few second, flatten and roll into a rectangular shape shown in the above photo, sprinkle some shredded orange flesh sweet potato on it, roll it up lengthwise into an oblong shape.
9. Repeat the process once or twice till the shredded sweet potato finished.
10. Roll the final dough into oblong shape, cut them into equal portion.
11. Place each shaped mantou on the steamer rack with greaseproof paper below it sprinkle the mantou with some water.
12. Place the steamer rack in the boiling water and steam the mantou over medium heat for about 8 - 10 minutes. (depending on the size)
13. When done, removed and served hot/warm.

Note:
a) Lukewarm is about 36 - 37 degree Celsius
b) If the sweet potato dough is too dry, you can add about extra 5 - 10ml of water to knead the dough.
c) You might need to cook the sweet potato for about 3 - 5 minutes more before it will be soften depend on the power of your microwave.


This is an interesting Mantou with dual sweet potato texture. So if you like sweet potato, do give this a try. I am sure you and your family will loves this healthy snack for a chance during tea-time or breakfast.

2010 Taiwan Trip - Day 1

10 April 2010, we have being preparing and looking forward to this special day since January 2010. And finally today is the "Big Day" for us. Everyone of us wake up pretty early in the morning and get ready for our last minutes packing/checking before heading to the Airport.

Our flight to Taiwan is leaving at about 12.30pm and accordingly to the tour leader we have to reach Terminal 3 @ Changi Airport around 10.30 for early check-in and briefing. After check-in, we roam around at the duty-free shops and to my surprised I spot "Sakae Sushi" mini counter.

Although are able to board the flight around 12pm but the plane did not take off till 1.30pm due to heavy traffic congestion at the run-way. So sad... everyone of us has to wait patiently for the plane to move forward accordingly to the queue number.... we are number 10 on the list.

As usual, as a food blogger, I won't missed out any chances to take some photo shots on the food that we eat. And this round I am quiet satisfy with the quality of the food served on board. Here are some shots of the food range from Child Meal - Chicken Pasta, and two choices of Adult Meal which is Honey Mustard Chicken and Char Siew Rice. Each meal served with bun, salad, snack and drink of your choice. Rey was very excited with his meal as this is the 1st time he travels with Singapore Airlines.

After meal, we sit back to relax on the on board entertainment like movies, games and etc during the 4 hours journey to Taipei. At about 5.20pm we arrived at the Tao Yuan International Airport - Taipei (台湾桃园国际机场) and were greeted by their local tour guide - Jackson whom will be bringing us around during our visit at Taiwan. Upon arrival, we are bought to "City Suites - Gateway" for our dinner before going to the hotel.

And due to the delay of the flight and tiredness, most of us did not really eat much at the Buffet Dinner. Em... But I have found some interesting dishes which is the "Stir-fry Herbal Chicken Hearts" and "Pan-fry Sardines" that serves with pepper salt.

P/s: For more photos of the trip check us out @ Cuisine Paradise Fan Page, click HERE.

Chocolate Chip Madeleines

After about almost a year, finally I get the chance to use my "Scallop Shell Madeleine Tin" which one of my blog friend bought it for me from Japan during her visit to Singapore. With that I replicated these Chocolate Madeleines which is one of my son's favourite tea-snack .

Huai Shan & Lily Bulbs Congee

Recently I have shared with you "Steam Chicken Fillet With Huai Shan" using fresh Huai Shan and "Double-boiled Fresh Lily Bulbs Soup" with Fresh Lily Bulbs respectively. Accordingly to Chinese Physicians, these two ingredients are very nutritious and benefits the Lungs and and strengthens the Spleen.

Huai Shan is used to strengths the Spleen and Stomach and it is a very good Chinese herbal medicine to strengthen the body. So this congee is a good choice to remove Dampness in the body and flu in summer which is great for kids. Adding lean pork and lily bulb brings out the extra sweetness and flavour of this congee which is a very healthy meal for the kids or elderly.

Ingredients: (serves 2)
100g Fresh Huai Shan(鲜淮山)
1/2 Cup Of Rice
100g Lean Pork, cut into thin slices
2 Fresh Lily Bulbs(鲜百合)
1 Litre Of Water

Method:
1. Rinse and use a vegetable peeler to peel off the outer skin of the Fresh Huai Shan, rinse and cut into big chunks.
2. Rinse, clean and remove the petals from the bulbs, soak in water for a few seconds to remove dirt.
3. Rinse the rice for about 3 to 4 times, then soak with some water while preparing the soup base.
4. Bring 1 litre of water to boil in a medium pot, add in fresh huai shan and lily bulbs simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes, add in the drained rice.
5. When the mixture comes to boil again, add in the lean pork and cook the congee over medium low heat for about 15 minutes or till done to your liking, remember to stir on and off.
6. When done, cover and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.


This congee helps to strengthens the Spleen and Stomach and as well helps regulating the body system. If your prefer, you can also add some fresh lily petals on the congee before serving to bring out that extra lovely fragrance and extra crunchiness.