Teochew Yam Dessert (orh Nee)

[bishoujo 0]

Orh nee is a well-loved Teochew dessert. Basically, a yam mash is sweetened with syrup, and pumpkin and gingko nuts are added to the dish. People who love it find its extreme sweetness and richness appealing. However, it can be extremely unhealthy.

 

I?ve tweaked the traditional recipe a little to make it healthier, yet remaining true to its original flavour.

 

(serves five to six)

 

Ingredients:

500g peeled yam

A pinched salt

2 tablespoon sugar

100g light olive oil

 

Syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 tablespoon rum

1 cup peeled gingko nuts

500g pumpkin, peeled

 

 

Instructions:

 

1. Cut peeled yam into large pieces and place in a pot with enough water to cover.

 

2. Add a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar to the pot.

 

3. Cook till yam is tender.

 

4. Drain and keep the boiling water for use later.

 

5. Mash the yam with a fork, adding olive oil to round out the taste and some of the boiling water to obtain the consistency you like.

 

6. In the meantime, cut peeled pumpkin into wedges. Rub with a dash of light olive oil and roast in 200 degress Celsius oven till the pumpkin is softened and caramelized. This should take 30 minutes or so.

 

7. Make syrup in another pot. Place sugar and water in it and bring to the boil. When the sugar dissolves, add gingko nuts, vanilla essence and rum. Cook for a while longer to thicken the syrup.

 

8. Place yam mash in a glass bowl. Add a couple of wedges of roasted pumpkin Spoon gingko and syrup over to glaze and serve.