Ingredients
500 g (about 1 lb) Chinese yam
Seasonings
750 g vegetable oil, 30 g vinegar, 1 g MSG, 100 g cornstarch, 125 g sugar.
Instructions
1. Wash the fresh Chinese yam, steam until tender, then remove the skin and cut into 3 cm (about 1.2-inch) sections. Split each piece in half lengthwise and gently flatten with the side of a knife. Heat vegetable oil in a wok until it reaches about 175°C (350°F), then add the yam pieces and deep-fry until golden brown. Remove and drain.
2. In another pan, heat oil and add the fried yam, then add sugar and two tablespoons of water. Simmer over low heat for 3-5 minutes, then switch to high heat and add vinegar and MSG. Thicken with a water and potato starch slurry, drizzle with cooked oil, and transfer to a serving plate. This dish features tender, melt-in-your-mouth yam that is soft, sticky, sweet, and aromatic. It is beneficial for strengthening the spleen and stomach, as well as nourishing the lungs and kidneys.