Pumpkin Mee Suah Kueh

Mee Suah or 面线 is a specialty of Xiamen, Fujian. It is a fine dried wheat noodle with a smooth texture & is used mainly in soup. I'm unsure of the origin of this dish but I always loved it whenever my sister cooked this dish. Finally took the chance to take down the recipe so that I can make it on my own.

Ingredients: (Makes 9 inch)

i) Pumpkin Kueh

• 300g mee suah or 面线
• 300g pumpkin flesh, shredded
• 6 shitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced
• 3 chinese sausages or lap cheong, diced
  
• 75g dried shrimps, ground
  
• 5 shallots, sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 120g pork, diced
• 700mL water*

ii) Seasoning

• 1 tbsp soya sauce
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp pepper

iii) Garnishing

• 1 sprig spring onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, sliced
• 1 red chili, sliced

Method:

1. Soak mee suah in water until softened and keep aside. Heat oil in a wok and sauté shallots and garlic till golden brown. Reserve for garnishing.
2. Fry minced shallots, garlic till fragrant then add in mushrooms, dried prawns, minced meat, chinese sausages and pumpkin shreds.
3. Add in the softened mee suah, water and seasonings. Stir well and adjust to taste.
4. Keep frying until most water has evaporated and everything becomes very sticky or gooey.
5. Press mee sua firmly into a greased 9 inch tray and steam for 20 minutes.
6. Garnish with red chilies, spring onions and fried shallots.

*Note: Although original recipe calls for 700mL water, use 500mL water first and then adjust accordingly.

Close up.



Sliced kueh.

After garnishing. Yum yum.

Steamed banana muffins

Instead of the usual baking, I thought I'd give steaming a go. I admit I'm quite skeptical with steaming. After all, who doesn't like baked goods, right?

I managed to nab myself a good deal with a grocer trying to get rid of his overripe bananas. You can bet I was elated about that.

Recipe adapted from Amanda.

Ingredients: (Makes 6 medium sized muffins)

• 1 egg
• 45g brown sugar
• 2 overripe bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup plain flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• pinch of baking soda
  
• 30mL oil

Method:

1. Sift together flour, baking soda and baking powder then set aside.
   
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar till ribbon stage.
3. Mix in mashed bananas, beat till combine.
4. Gently fold in flour mixture and oil, taking care not to deflate the eggs and sugar mixture.
5. Pour atter into muffin pan, lined with muffin cups.
6. Steam over high heat for 15mins or till an inserted skewer comes out clean.

It turned out very soft and fluffy. Definitely a good change from the normal baking. :)