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Bah-kenn (bāo-kǎnn): photo of the dish
Illustrative photo: Rockhsp — CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Snacks & baking

Bah-kenn (bāo-kǎnn)

Small Taiwanese steamed rice cake, its soft, slightly chewy dough wrapped around a savory or sweet filling. It's a popular snack, often bought at night markets and eaten lukewarm.

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Ingredients

Ingredients

Garniture

Spices & seasoning

Optional extras

On the side

Instructions

  1. Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in lukewarm water for 30 minutes, then drain them and cut them into small dice.
  2. Sauté the mushroom dice in a spoonful of oil with the sliced green onion and soy sauce for 3 minutes, then let cool.
  3. Mix the glutinous rice flour, cornstarch, sugar and salt in a bowl, then pour in the lukewarm water and oil, stirring until you have a smooth, supple dough.
  4. Form dough balls the size of a walnut and flatten them in the palm of your hand into discs.
  5. Fill each disc with the savory or sweet filling, pinch the edges closed to form a little pouch, then roll it between your palms.
  6. Arrange the bah-kenn on an oiled plate or baking paper, spaced apart, in a steamer basket.
  7. Steam over vigorous heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the dough is translucent and glossy.
  8. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving, with sweet chili sauce for the savory version.

Variations and tips

Sweet version. Fill with a mix of black sesame powder and sugar, or cinnamon and brown sugar.

Using what's easy to find. Glutinous rice flour is available in most Asian grocery stores; otherwise, mix 150 g regular rice flour and 50 g tapioca starch.

More ideas

Original Ecomely recipe.