If you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine or simply enjoy trying out new recipes, then you’re in for a treat with this article on Chinese Radish Cake Recipes. This delightful dish, also known as “Luo Bo Gao” in Mandarin, is a popular snack or breakfast item in China. Made from grated radish, rice flour, and a few other key ingredients, these cakes are steamed to perfection and then pan-fried to create a crispy exterior. Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or meat lover, there’s a radish cake recipe in here that will surely satisfy your taste buds. So, get ready to embark on a culinary adventure and discover the flavors of Chinese cuisine with these mouthwatering radish cake recipes.
Traditional Chinese Radish Cake
Ingredients
- 500g grated radish
- 250g rice flour
- 50g dried shrimp
- 50g shiitake mushrooms
- 2 Chinese sausages
- 2 shallots
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak the dried shrimp and shiitake mushrooms in warm water for about 30 minutes until softened. Drain and chop them into small pieces.
- In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped shallots and minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and Chinese sausages to the pan. Cook for a few minutes until the sausages are slightly browned.
- Add the grated radish and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the radish releases its liquid.
- In a separate bowl, mix rice flour, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour the mixture into the pan, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
- Grease a steaming dish and pour the mixture into it.
- Steam the radish cake for about 45-60 minutes until cooked through and firm.
- Remove from the steamer and let it cool before cutting into slices.
- You can enjoy the traditional Chinese radish cake by either steaming or frying the sliced portions.
Tips for Making Traditional Chinese Radish Cake
- Use freshly grated radish for the best texture and flavor.
- Squeeze out excess liquid from the grated radish to prevent the radish cake from being too watery.
- Be patient when steaming the radish cake. It needs enough time to cook thoroughly and set properly.
- To add extra flavor, you can add diced Chinese sausages, dried shrimp, and mushrooms to the mixture.
- Adjust the seasoning according to your preference. Add more soy sauce for a saltier taste, or add more sugar for a sweeter flavor.
Steamed Chinese Radish Cake
Ingredients
- 500g grated radish
- 300g rice flour
- 500ml water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon dried shrimp
- 1 tablespoon shiitake mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon diced Chinese sausages
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak the dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and diced Chinese sausages in warm water for about 30 minutes until softened. Drain and chop them into small pieces.
- In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and Chinese sausages until fragrant.
- Add the grated radish to the pan and cook for a few minutes until the radish releases its liquid.
- In a separate bowl, mix rice flour, water, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour the mixture into the pan, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
- Grease a steaming dish and pour the mixture into it.
- Steam the radish cake for about 45-60 minutes until cooked through and firm.
- Remove from the steamer and let it cool before cutting into slices.
Variations of Steamed Chinese Radish Cake
- You can add additional ingredients like diced Chinese sausages, dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, or spring onions for extra flavor and texture.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the dried shrimp and Chinese sausage and add more vegetables like carrots and mushrooms.
- You can also experiment with different seasonings such as garlic, chili, or even curry powder to give the radish cake a unique twist of flavors.
Fried Chinese Radish Cake
Ingredients
- Sliced portions of steamed Chinese radish cake
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 stalks of spring onions, chopped
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Soy sauce and chili sauce for serving
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pan or wok over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and chopped spring onions and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the sliced Chinese radish cake to the pan and fry until golden brown on both sides.
- Push the radish cake slices to one side of the pan and pour the beaten eggs onto the empty side.
- Scramble the eggs until cooked and then mix them together with the radish cake slices.
- Continue frying for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well-combined and heated through.
- Serve the fried Chinese radish cake with soy sauce and chili sauce for dipping.
Serving Suggestions for Fried Chinese Radish Cake
- Fried Chinese radish cake makes a delicious and filling breakfast or snack. Serve it hot with a cup of hot Chinese tea.
- You can also serve it as a side dish with stir-fried vegetables or as part of a dim sum spread.
- For a heartier meal, you can add additional ingredients like shrimp, pork, or vegetables during the frying process.
Vegetarian Chinese Radish Cake
Ingredients
- 500g grated radish
- 300g rice flour
- 500ml water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped shallots and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the grated radish, grated carrot, and diced shiitake mushrooms to the pan. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- In a separate bowl, mix rice flour, water, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour the mixture into the pan, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
- Grease a steaming dish and pour the mixture into it.
- Steam the radish cake for about 45-60 minutes until cooked through and firm.
- Remove from the steamer and let it cool before cutting into slices.
Adding Flavor to Vegetarian Chinese Radish Cake
- To enhance the flavor of the vegetarian radish cake, you can add other vegetables like corn, peas, or bell peppers.
- You can also include a variety of herbs and spices like cilantro, basil, or chili flakes to add an extra kick to the dish.
- Serve the vegetarian radish cake with sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, or hoisin sauce for dipping.
Spicy Chinese Radish Cake
Ingredients
- 500g grated radish
- 300g rice flour
- 500ml water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 red chili peppers, sliced
- 2 green chili peppers, sliced
- 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns, crushed (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, sliced red and green chili peppers, and crushed Sichuan peppercorns. Sauté until fragrant.
- Add the grated radish to the pan and cook for a few minutes until the radish releases its liquid.
- In a separate bowl, mix rice flour, water, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour the mixture into the pan, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
- Grease a steaming dish and pour the mixture into it.
- Steam the radish cake for about 45-60 minutes until cooked through and firm.
- Remove from the steamer and let it cool before cutting into slices.
Adjusting Spice Levels in Spicy Chinese Radish Cake
- If you prefer a milder spice level, reduce the amount of red and green chili peppers or remove the seeds before slicing them.
- To make the radish cake even spicier, you can add chili oil or chili paste to the seasoning mixture.
- Serve the spicy radish cake with a side of cooling condiments like yogurt or cucumber slices to balance the heat.
Chinese Radish Cake with Black Beans
Ingredients
- 500g grated radish
- 300g rice flour
- 500ml water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fermented black beans, rinsed and chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped shallots and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the grated radish and chopped fermented black beans to the pan. Cook for a few minutes until the radish releases its liquid.
- In a separate bowl, mix rice flour, water, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour the mixture into the pan, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
- Grease a steaming dish and pour the mixture into it.
- Steam the radish cake for about 45-60 minutes until cooked through and firm.
- Remove from the steamer and let it cool before cutting into slices.
Enhancing Flavor with Black Beans in Chinese Radish Cake
- Fermented black beans add a savory and unique flavor to the radish cake. You can also add other ingredients like diced pork or shrimp to enhance the taste further.
- Serve the radish cake with a drizzle of sesame oil or soy sauce and garnish with chopped green onions for added freshness.
Baked Chinese Radish Cake
Ingredients
- 500g grated radish
- 250g rice flour
- 250g cake flour
- 800ml water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the grated radish to the pan and cook for a few minutes until the radish releases its liquid.
- In a separate bowl, mix rice flour, cake flour, water, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour the mixture into the pan, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
- Grease a baking dish and pour the mixture into it.
- Bake the radish cake for about 60-75 minutes until cooked through and lightly golden on top.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool before cutting into slices.
Equipment Needed for Baking Chinese Radish Cake
- A baking dish or cake pan: Choose a size that fits the amount of mixture you have. The dish should be deep enough to prevent the mixture from overflowing.
- Oven: You need an oven to bake the radish cake. Make sure it is preheated to the correct temperature before baking.
- Mixing bowls and utensils: Use bowls for mixing the ingredients and utensils for stirring the mixture.
Savory Chinese Radish Cake
Ingredients
- 500g grated radish
- 300g rice flour
- 500ml water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried shrimp, soaked and chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried scallops, soaked and chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped shallots and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the soaked and chopped dried shrimp and dried scallops to the pan. Cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
- Add the grated radish to the pan and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the radish releases its liquid.
- In a separate bowl, mix rice flour, water, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour the mixture into the pan, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
- Grease a steaming dish and pour the mixture into it.
- Steam the radish cake for about 45-60 minutes until cooked through and firm.
- Remove from the steamer and let it cool before cutting into slices.
Serving Suggestions for Savory Chinese Radish Cake
- Serve the savory radish cake as a main dish with a side of stir-fried vegetables or a fresh salad.
- You can also enjoy it as a side dish with other Chinese dim sum dishes.
- Top the radish cake slices with a homemade sauce or gravy for added flavor.
Sweet Chinese Radish Cake
Ingredients
- 500g grated radish
- 250g rice flour
- 200g sugar
- 500ml water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons dried longan, soaked and chopped
- 2 tablespoons goji berries, soaked
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the grated radish and cook for a few minutes until the radish releases its liquid.
- Add the rice flour, sugar, and water to the pan. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- Add the dried longan and goji berries to the pan. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the fruits are soft.
- Grease a steaming dish and pour the mixture into it.
- Steam the radish cake for about 45-60 minutes until cooked through and firm.
- Remove from the steamer and let it cool before cutting into slices.
Sweet Sauce for Sweet Chinese Radish Cake
- To complement the sweetness of the radish cake, you can make a simple sweet sauce by combining sugar, water, and cornstarch in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the mixture thickens and then drizzle it over the sliced radish cake.
- You can also serve the sweet radish cake with a side of fresh fruits like strawberries or mango slices.
Health Benefits of Chinese Radish Cake
High in Nutritional Value
- Chinese radish cake is packed with essential vitamins and minerals. The grated radish provides a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and potassium.
- The rice flour used in the recipe adds B vitamins and iron to the dish.
Promotes Digestive Health
- The dietary fiber present in Chinese radish cake helps promote healthy digestion and prevents constipation.
- The radish itself contains enzymes that aid in digestion and improve nutrient absorption.
Boosts Immune System
- Chinese radish cake is rich in vitamin C, which is known to strengthen the immune system and protect against common illnesses and infections.
- The combination of radish and various seasonings used in the recipes provides an additional boost to the immune system.
Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
- The low glycemic index of radish helps regulate blood sugar levels and can be a favorable choice for individuals with diabetes or those looking to control their blood sugar levels.
- Rice flour used in the recipes also has a lower impact on blood sugar compared to wheat flour.
In conclusion, Chinese radish cake is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in various forms. Whether you prefer it steamed, fried, baked, or with different flavors, there is a Chinese radish cake recipe to suit your taste. With its health benefits and the ability to customize the recipe to your liking, Chinese radish cake is a must-try dish that will satisfy both your cravings and nutritional needs.