SNACKS - Chinese Steamed Cake - Xi Ban (古早味喜板）

By Aemelia

Ingredients

• Dough
• 150 grams of glutinous rice flour (糯米粉）
• 150 grams of plain flour (普通面粉）
• 100 grams of castor sugar (细砂糖）
• 1/2 packet or about 6 grams of Instant Yeast (即时酵母）
• 25 grams of corn oil (玉米油）
• 150 grams of lukewarm warm water (温水）
• Few drops of permitted red colouring （optional) (红色色素-可免）
• Others
• 15 About 15 pieces of lightly greased banana leaves of 7cm x 7 cm (香蕉叶）
• A steamer with water capable of steaming at least 15 minutes under high heat.

Details

Servings 15
Adapted from kwgls.wordpress.com

Preparation

Step 1

Put all dough ingredients in a whisking bowl. Add the water and use a tablespoon to lightly stir in until a dough is form. Transfer to a stand mixer and knead under medium speed until the dough is smooth (about 10 minutes)。 Note that unlike bread making, this process is to ensure all ingredients are well mixed and not to ensure that gluten structure is formed. Alternatively, you can use hand to knead until the dough is smooth which is also rather fast as this is glutinous rice flour. Once done, divide the dough into 15 equal portions of about 30 – 40 grams each.

Take a portion of the dough, shape it into a ball, place on top of a piece of banana leave and press it until it is about 1 cm thick. Perform the same for the remaining 14 portions. Put in the steamer tray and let it proof until double in size which may take about 45 minutes to one hour. In the process of proofing, cover it with some clingy wrap or a piece of wet tower.

When the dough double in size and become smooth, get ready the steamer. Bring the water to boil under high heat and transfer the steamer tray to the steamer. Steam for 12-15 minutes. After 15 minutes, off the heat, and let it rest in the steamer for 5 minutes before taking the Hee Pan out of the steamer. Cool in a wire rack or place the hot Hee Pan in a piece of newspaper. The purpose is to let the newspaper absorbs the water under the Hee Pan due to condensation. Best served hot as a snack item or breakfast item when hot.