年年有得算~ 算盘子 Hakka Yam Abacus

 “算盤子”是大埔客的传统家乡小吃，
虽然准备功夫繁多，但是过年过节，
这带有好预头的菜肴还是挺受欢迎的，尤其是客家人。

The Yam Abacus is a traditional dish of the Hakka people from the Tai Po district. Despite being tedious to prepare, this dish, which symbolizes unity and prosperity, is well loved, especially by the Hakka.

  

算盘子带圆的外貌象征诸事圆满；一家团圆，

所以对讲究凡事都求好的华族，当然喜欢乘新春期间，

把它选为桌上肴，以讨个好吉利。
The round shape of the abacus symbolizes unity. Thus, the Chinese find joy in serving this dish, in the hope that the new year will be a prosperous one.

食谱参考/ Recipe adapted from： 揾到食

材料(A)：...................................................Ingredients(A) :

芋头 500g............................................500g yam

木薯粉 250g........................................250g tapioca flour

盐和水少许.........................................some salt and water

材料(B)...................................................ingedients(B) :

蒜头 4-5瓣（切碎）.............................4-5 cloves garlic,chopped

小洋葱 4-5粒 （切碎）........................4-5 shallot,chopped

猪肉碎 200g.......................................200g minced meat

冬菇 6-8朵 （切丝）............................6-8 mushroom,soaked and julienned

虾米 80g （切碎）................................80g dry shimp, soaked and chopped

木耳适量 （切丝）...............................some black fungus ,soak and julienned

芹菜和青葱 少许（切碎）...................some spring onion and Chinese celery ,chopped

绍兴酒，胡椒粉，盐和酱青 少许.....some Shao Xing wine, pepper,salt and soya sauce

做法：

1。  将芋头切粒，放入锅里蒸至熟，趁热压烂，加入木薯粉和少许盐揉成团，如太干，可加入少许水一起揉搓。
1.   Cut the yam into pieces,steam until cooked. Mash it while it is still warm ,add in tapioca flour ,salt and some water,knead it to form dough.

2。  面团揉好后，揉成小圆球，用拇指轻轻的按一下，做好后犹如一个算盘。
2.    Roll the dough into small balls, use the thumb press the center of the ball   to form an abacus-like shape.

3。  烧热一锅水，水滚后，放入算盘子煮至浮在水面上，捞起，过一过冷水，让煮熟的算盘子不会粘在一起。
3.    Cook the "abacus" in boiling water until it floats, scoop it out and immerse in cold water so that the abacus won't stick together.

4。  热油锅，放入切碎的小葱头炒，再加入蒜头碎爆香，加入虾米碎炒香，再加入冬菇丝和木耳丝炒香，加入少许绍兴酒，最后加入猪肉碎把所有材料炒熟，倒入算盘子略炒，加入胡椒粉，酱青和盐调味，最后撒上芹菜和青葱即可。
4.   Heat up oil, saute the shallot, garlic and dry shrimp until fragrant. Add in mushroom julienne and black fungus julienne, continue to saute until soft. Add in Shao Xing wine, then add in minced meat and saute until all ingredients are cooked.  Add in the "abacus", give it a quick stir fry, then add in pepper, soya sauce and salt to taste. Finally, sprinkle spring onion and Chinese celery before serving.

另外，也有人相信吃了“算盘子”

人就变得精打細算”，

同时又年年有余有钱算！
On the other hand, there are others who believe that eating the Hakka Yam Abacus brings both thriftiness and wealth.

好吃的算盘子，在於口感夠Q，芋香夠浓。

   再搭上炒香的蒜米，肉碎，木耳，虾米。。。。。

   简单说，口感独特，味道丰富的一道佳肴。
The delicious Hakka Yam Abacus is chewy in texture and fills the mouth with the sweet taste of yam. Add to that the fragrant combination of sauted garlic, minced meat, black fungus and shrimp......mmm! In short, this is a mouth-watering dish with a unique texture and rich flavors.

  ***  Enjoy! ***