Candied Sweet Potatoes“拔丝地瓜” (bá sī dì guā).
Taking a bite of hot and steaming candied sweet potatoes, it feels like the whole world is immersed in sweetness and joy. Each golden and crispy strand of sweet potato seems like nature’s gift to humanity, as well as a tribute to the beautiful things in life. Candied sweet potatoes, this poetic delicacy, cleverly combines ingredients and techniques to create a unique sensory experience. It possesses a simple and humble appearance while harboring delicacy and warmth deep within. Every strand of sweet potato is filled with sweetness and happiness. They shine like gold, captivating anyone who lays eyes on them. Using chopsticks to pick up a strand of sweet potato, savoring it slowly, the hot and sweet sensation seems to dance on the taste buds, leaving one intoxicated.
Comprehensive rating:
| PREP TIME | COOK TIME | VARIETY | MOUTHFEEL | LEVEL |
| 2 min | 5 min | 1 | Crispy 、Fragrant | Easy |
Ingredients for Candied Sweet Potatoes:
| Sweet potato | 300g |
| Suger | 200g |
Steps:
1.Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities from the surface. Rinse the sweet potatoes under running water, gently scrubbing to remove any dirt clinging to the skin. Once the sweet potatoes are clean, prepare cutting tools and a flat cutting board. Trim the ends of the sweet potatoes to make them flat and cut a shallow groove along the edge to make it easier to peel. Then, place the blade between the skin and flesh of the sweet potato and gently push the knife, gradually peeling off the skin. Be careful while handling the knife to avoid injury. Once the sweet potatoes are peeled, cut them into cube-shaped pieces. Use a rolling knife technique to roll the blade lightly over the sweet potato, giving it a round appearance similar to dice.
2.Choose a pot suitable for deep frying and pour enough cooking oil to submerge the sweet potato pieces. Use a thermometer to ensure the oil temperature reaches around 120 degrees Celsius. Carefully place the pre-cut sweet potato pieces into the pot once the oil is at the desired temperature. Make sure not to overcrowd the pot with too many sweet potato pieces at once, as it may lower the oil temperature and result in undercooked sweet potatoes. When frying the sweet potatoes, their skins will gradually turn golden brown. Gently flip the sweet potato pieces using a spatula or chopsticks to ensure even heating and to prevent the surfaces from being overly browned. Once the sweet potato skins are golden brown, indicating that they are half cooked, increase the heat to fry them further until the skins become crispy and display an appealing red color.
3.Start a new pot and pour in a small amount of water, then add 200 grams of white granulated sugar. Heat the mixture over high heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. As the sugar heats up, you will see it begin to melt and gradually turn amber in color. This process requires patience and careful attention to prevent the sugar from boiling excessively or burning. Once the sugar has melted and developed a beautiful amber color, you can proceed to the next step. Carefully add the previously fried sweet potato pieces into the caramelized sugar. Stir gently with a spatula or chopsticks to evenly coat the sweet potatoes with the caramel syrup. While stirring, you will see the syrup seeping into the sweet potato pieces, forming a layer of fragrant, sticky caramel syrup. Continue gently stirring to ensure that each piece of sweet potato is evenly coated with the caramel syrup.
Tips:
- Choose suitable sweet potatoes: Select sweet potatoes with a fine texture and a soft, sticky consistency. This will help maintain their shape and texture during frying and caramelization.
- Control the temperature for caramelization: During the caramelization process, it’s important to manage the melting and caramelizing temperature of the sugar. Heat the sugar until it melts and turns amber, then quickly add the fried sweet potato pieces to avoid the syrup becoming too hard.
Candied Sweet Potatoes, also known as “candied sweet potatoes,” is not only a delicious dessert but also an art form. It teaches us how to take a break from our busy lives, listen to our innermost thoughts, and appreciate simple pleasures. It reminds us that if we truly immerse ourselves, even ordinary moments can become extraordinary. When the golden sweet potato is enveloped in a thin layer of caramel, emitting a tempting aroma, it becomes not just a food but also a work of art.拔丝地瓜 (bá sī dìguā) captivates countless taste buds with its unique charm and immerses people in the aesthetic pleasure it brings. It is not just a delectable dessert, but also a celebration and enjoyment of life. With each bite, we can experience the wonder of food and the tranquility and joy it brings to our hearts. Just like a cup of hot tea accompanied by the aroma of candied sweet potatoes, the moment of immersion is like a poetic painting that enchants us.