Foodie Friday: Fried Radish Cake

Fried radish cake: square cake made of white radish; often served at dim sum This dim sum dish is a staple when I go yum cha. It's made from a white radish known as daikon. The texture is soft on the inside, but there's a crisp outside edge to it. I like lo bat go either plain, or sometimes, with a side of hoisin sauce. My aunt used to make these from scratch--and my mom, too. It takes a big steamer and a long wait, while the cloying scent floats in the air and seems to permeate even the … [Read more...]

Foodie Friday: Daikon

Daikon: a radish masquerading as a large white carrot Daikon comes from the Japanese words for "big root." In fact, this radish generally grows up to 18 inches and can weigh about six pounds. The largest ones grown have been around forty to fifty pounds. It's a mild flavored root, which gives it versatility in different dishes. Although it can be eaten raw, it needs to be cooked once it's matured. My most common encounter with daikon is in soups, where it's cooked to melting softness. The … [Read more...]