Really more like a bread than a cake, this recipe is traditionally made during the Chinese New Year season. It can also be found in dim sum restaurants throughout the year.

    Serves 4 - 6

    Ingredients:

    2 1/2 pounds lo bak (Chinese white radish), or substitute turnips

    1 cup water

    2 cups long-grain rice flour

    5 tablespoons oil

    1 tablespoon scallion, chopped fine

    4 dried black mushrooms

    1/4 cup dried shrimp, chopped fine, soaked in 1 tablespoon sherry

    4 Chinese sausages, chopped fine

    2 teaspoons salt

    1/2 teaspoon sugar

    1/2 teaspoon pepper

    1 tablespoon Chinese parsley (cilantro) chopped fine

    1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

    Preparation:

    Peel and grate turnips. Simmer in 1 cup water for about 1 hour, or until tender.

    Mix rice flour and turnips in bowl until consistency of thick oatmeal. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. Mix well. Set aside.

    Heat 2 tablespoons oil in wok. Stir-fry scallion, mushrooms, shrimps and sausages and add to turnip mixture.

    Add salt, sugar, and pepper. Mix thoroughly

    Grease a 6 inch by 9 inch cake pan. Pour mixture into it. Sprinkle with parsley and sesame seeds. Place on rack in steamer. Steam over briskly boiling water 1 hour.

    When cold, refrigerate overnight.

    To serve, slice 1/4 inch thick, 2 inches wide, and 3 inches long. Fry slices in 1 tablespoon oil until golden brown. Serve hot.