Velvet

Youtiao Twin Dough Sticks with Warm Soy Milk

Inspired by techniques from Serious Eats.

Youtiao · Chinese

Crisp, hollow Chinese twin dough sticks served with a bowl of warm soy milk for dipping.

Prep30 min
Cook30 min
Total1 h
DifficultyMedium
Per serving667 kcal
FreeDairy-freeVegetarian
Servings4Recipe makes 4
Allergens (EU 14)
GlutenCrustaceansEggsFishPeanutsSoybeansMilkTree nutsCeleryMustardSesameSulphitesLupinMolluscs

Always check the labels of the products you use.

Method

  1. 1

    Mix. Whisk the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate and salt in the bowl. Beat the egg with the cold water and oil, pour it in and stir to a rough dough.

  2. 2

    Knead. Knead for 3 min, cover and leave for 15 min, then knead for 2 min more until the dough is smooth and soft.

  3. 3

    Rest. Shape it into a flat log of about 20 cm, rub it with a little oil, wrap it well and chill for 12-24 h. Take it out of the fridge 1 h before frying.

  4. 4

    Cut and pair. Roll the dough on a lightly oiled surface into a strip 10 cm wide and 6 mm thick. Cut it into 16 strips 2.5 cm wide, lay them on top of each other in pairs and press a chopstick down firmly along the centre of each pair.

  5. 5

    Heat the oil. Fill the wok with oil to about 5 cm, no more than half full, and heat it to 200 °C.

  6. 6

    Fry. Hold a pair by both ends, gently stretch it to about 25 cm and lower it into the oil. Keep turning it for 1.5-2 min at 190-200 °C, until it puffs to twice its size and turns deep golden and crisp. Drain on the rack and fry the rest one or two at a time.

  7. 7

    Serve. Warm the soy milk with the sugar until steaming. Serve it in bowls with the hot sticks for dipping.

Storage

Best eaten within an hour. Re-crisp leftovers in a 200 °C oven for 4-5 min. Cool leftovers in a shallow container and refrigerate within 2 hours (within 1 hour on a day above 32°C).

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • cling film or a lidded container
  • rolling pin
  • sharp knife
  • chopstick
  • wok or wide heavy pan, at least 28 cm
  • deep-frying or probe thermometer
  • long chopsticks or tongs
  • wire rack over a tray lined with kitchen paper
  • small saucepan

Nutrition per serving (estimated values)

Per servingAmount
Energy667 kcal
Protein16.7 g
Carbohydrate70.1 g
of which sugars8.8 g
of which free sugars7.5 g
Fat35.6 g
of which saturates3.2 g
Fibre3.3 g
Salt2.31 g

Protein per 100 kcal

2.5 g High Protein needs ≥ 10 g

Calculated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient values