Turnip Cake

Really more like a bread than a cake, this recipe is traditionally made during the Chinese New Year season. It can also be found in dim sum restaurants throughout the year.
Serves 4 - 6

2 1/2 pounds lo bak (Chinese white radish), or substitute turnips
1 cup water
2 cups long-grain rice flour
5 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon scallion, chopped fine
4 dried black mushrooms, soaked in boiling water 20 minutes, stems removed, cooked 20 minutes, chopped fine
1/4 cup dried shrimp, chopped fine, soaked in 1 tablespoon sherry
4 Chinese sausages, chopped fine
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon Chinese parsley (cilantro) chopped fine
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

Directions:
1. Peel and grate turnips. Simmer in 1 cup water about 1 hour, or until tender.
2. Mix rice flour and turnips in bowl until consistency of thick oatmeal. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. Mix well. Set aside.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in wok. Stir-fry scallion, mushrooms, shrimps and sausages and add to turnip mixture.
4. Add salt, sugar, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
5. Grease a 6" x 9" cake pan. Pour mixture into it. Sprinkle with parsley and sesame seeds. Place on rack in steamer. Steam over briskly boiling water 1 hour.
6. When cold, refrigerate overnight.
7. To serve, slice 1/4 inch thick, 2 inches wide, and 3 inches long. Fry slices in 1 tablespoon oil until golden brown. Serve hot.

May be prepared completely in advance and refrigerated after step 6. Slice and fry before serving. May be frozen after step 5.