You – Tiao (油條)

You – Tiao (油條)

Ingredients:

5 C. Flour (all purpose)
2-1/2 t. Powdered ammonia
1-1/2 t. Baking soda
1-1/2 t. Alum
1-1/2 t. Salt
1-1/2 C. Water
10 C. Oil

Procedure:

1. In a clean bowl, measure and add the ammonia powder, baking soda, alum, and salt. Then add 1-1/2 C. of water. Mix well. (The mixing of these ingredients will create bubbles and a little noise.
2. Add the flour and mix well. Knead the mixture with your fist. If it sticks to your hands, put some water on hands and continue to knead for 5 minutes. Cover with a wet cloth and set aside.
3. After 30 minutes, knead the dough again. Then set it aside again.
4. After 30 minutes, knead the dough again into a pillow shape. Rub a little cooked oil on the surface so that the dough won’t dry out. Wrap the dough in wax paper and put it in a warm place.
5. Set aside for 4 or 5 hours depending on the temperature (if it is hot, 4 hours will be enough). Put the dough on a floured bread board. Lightly draw the dough. Don’t knead it. Flatten the dough into a long piece 3 inches wide and ¼ inch thick. Use a knife to cut it into 2/3 inch wide pieces. Pick up one strip of dough and turn it upside down on another strip. Use a thin chopstick lengthwise to make a small, long dent length-wise. Pick up each end of the strip and pull it until it is about ½ foot long. Quickly slip the strip into the side of a pan with very hot oil. Use chopsticks to turn the You-Tiao continuously until it is golden brown. Eat them while they are hot.

NOTE: For this recipe, the room temperature should be about 70°F. If the temperature is 10°F lower reduce the ammonia, alum, and baking soda about 20%.

Source: 傅培梅 (Fu Pei-Mei). Pei Mei's Chinese Cook Book Volume II (培梅食譜: 第二冊).

Note from me: Ammonia powder supposedly can be found at pharmacies. It is supposed to give the bread a crisp texture. If you have a hard time finding it, baking powder can be substituted. I did it at a 1:1 ratio, but I'm not sure of that. Alum can be found in the spice section of your local grocery store.