My Grandma's TARO CAKE Homestyle version

In this video, My grandma "Popo" shows us how to make Taro Cake 芋头糕, a Cantonese savory cake that is made with rice flour and several toppings. There are different versions.
Rough Recipe (my grandma does not measure) to make one tray
Ingredients
Half of the large taro (1-½ pound taro)
1 cup rice flour
1 to (1 - ½) cup of warm water
2 tbsp corn starch
2 tbsp wheat starch (no wheat starch, just use more cornstarch)
2 Chinese sausages
Salt & Pepper to taste
Many recipes use dried shrimp (if you like it)
Neutral oil to sauté the taro and coat the pan
Procedure
Cut the taro in half with a giant cleaver (this is somewhat difficult). Peel the skin off until there are no longer any black spots. Cut into small dice. Then in a large pan, sauté the taro in some oil until it softens. Then set aside to cool.
Now for the batter, mix 1 cup of rice flour and 1 cup of warm water in a large bowl, add the corn starch and wheat starch. (These help the batter set.) Let the batter sit for 10 min. Steam or sauté the Chinese sausage, set aside to cool. Then add your toppings like the Chinese sausage and taro. Then mix until incorporated. The batter should be somewhat watery. You may need to add an additional half cup of water. During the cooking process, the taro will soak up the liquid.
When the batter is complete in a large aluminum tray coat it with oil and pour your batter in it and steam it for 1 hour. Then it’s ready to serve. You can refrigerate it. The next day take it out of the fridge and you can cut into rectangles and pan fry it. (which I like).
IG: / michael.nicastro
#chinesefood #chineserecipes #tarocake

[@EnidblytonHJ]

Love the banter you have going on. You and your popo are super cute, and entertaining.

[@jeanneleongmitchell1375]

Surprised your gran doesn't ban you from her kitchen!! You're so cheeky and she puts up with your shenanigans!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Haha yes that’s our relationship

[@coffeeenjoyer6845]

So so cute ! All our Asian kitchen are the same! Love it ❤

[@normacastro3466]

I believe that by sharing your grandmother's recipes you honor her and the traditions of the Chinese culture.It's a very special gift.

[@alee1374]

Dude....much respect, you rock. Thanks for respecting your heritage and your elders, not just pushing both aside 👍 😊

[@MichaelNicastro]

Appreciate you happy new year! It’s not easy sometimes as you know and I have not always appreciated it.

[@alee1374]

I can relate. The same here! Happy New Year 👍

[@maysietam751]

Being with a beloved grandmother captures the moment forever.

[@MichaelNicastro]

yeah it's not about the food, it's about the feeling.

[@jeanwang2475]

Hi Michael, you speak good Cantonese, and I liked your grandmother, who speak good English, this is why you two can get alone great, I'm admire you, you have a wonderful family, your grandmother is cute

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hey Jean! Thanks I’ve been trying to learn as I get older. When I was younger I did not want too :(. Popo speaks good English cause she ran a Chinese laundry in a predominantly Caucasian suburb of Long Island New York. Thanks for your kind words it means a lot. I’ve been wanting to learn her recipes and it’s nice to share. Wishing you and your family the best :)

[@jackie9068]

So nice you insisted to help GRANMA. I just love to see the elderly teach the young. We need more videos like this. Remind me of my grandmother and mum

[@MichaelNicastro]

Yeah very lucky. I’m glad I can learn from her and spend time with her. I used to take it for granted. Hope you and your family are well

[@jensenchen9199]

I love the relationship you have with your grandma!!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Jensen. Wishing you and your family the best

[@nancyfong5635]

Love the easy, affectionate bantering of the PoPo and Michael Show! So sweet that you both speak grammatically correct Chinglish! More, puhleeze!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks, Nancy! Wishing you and your family the best!

[@wem-c9f]

I wish my sons would interact with their grandma like you do. You are such an adorable grandson.

[@MichaelNicastro]

We have had our ups and downs like any family :). They will have a good relationship in time.

[@wwlee19]

LMAO ur granny reminds me of my Cantonese popo and relatives 😂 “Aiya” “It’s important that you don’t talk” da sassssss keep making videos like these I’m addicted!!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks WW Lee! Yeah the sass is off the charts sometimes. Wish you and your family well

[@aliciakeeney1305]

I love when your popo scolds you after she knocks your camera over 🤣🤣🤣. I love her sass.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Haha yeah especially me.

[@whybenormal]

I love watching you and your granny talk to each other. Super funny lady lol

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Jessica, all the best!

[@stellapun5540]

Michael, not a lot of young people willing to film their grandma's cooking and share on KZbin. God bless.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Food has allowed me to connect with my Chinese heritage being mixed Italian and Chinese. I always wanted to learn her cooking but when I was younger I tried to look beyond inspiration. I realized that what I was looking for was at home.

[@stellapun5540]

nice to e-meet you. I was born in HK. I am from Montreal

[@MichaelNicastro]

@@stellapun5540 Oooo very cool! Montreal is on my list. I wonder how it was growing up there. I've been wanting to visit and eat the food there! Do you speak French, English, and Chinese?

[@stellapun5540]

due to the global warming, here is getting less cold than before. I do speak French, English and Cantonese.

[@MichaelNicastro]

@@stellapun5540 Ahh that's unfortunate. That's amazing, such a diverse upbringing!

[@billyc4365]

michael, just seeing you hanging out with your grandma makes me miss mine. Good job as always!!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Ahhh billy I’m sorry about that. Happy it brings back good memories for you. Wishing you and your family the best

[@pc518]

Michael：you're still young，one day in the future you'll realise that this is your own precious memory too.

[@GaleTong-jz6qm]

Your videos are great. Very entertaining. Hats off to you and your effort of sharing your cooking experiences with your grandmother.

[@normacastro6072]

I believe that by sharing your grandmother’s recipe you honor her and the traditions of the Chinese culture. It’s a very special gift.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Yeah Norma you are exactly right

[@vthom1058]

It's important you don't talk - I love it! She's awesome and so are you!

[@MichaelNicastro]

So are you!

[@mingchong3956]

I happened on your Video because I was looking for a recipe to make this Yam cake. I never did get the recipe from my mother who passed away recently. I do regret that. Your video with your grandma really struck a chord and I loved your interaction with your grandma, the bantering of mixed Cantonese and Chinglish and English. I do hope you will continue spending time with your grandma as that is the only way to immerse yourself in part of your heritage (Chinese). Bravo!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Appreciate reading your comment. You made filming these videos extra special. I'm glad to share with you. Wish you and your family!

[@adamcruz4267]

Love ur grandma. I can only hope that we can get some of ur experience. and learn from that. Thanks grandma ,,!

[@001awesomeyen]

Your popo is such a treasure. She's funny too. Thanks for sharing. So heartwarming to see grandma and grandson doing something together. Your Cantonese is not bad too. God bless you both. From Singapore 🌺

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you! Wishing you and tour family well in Singapore!

[@rosemaiden3222]

love your grandma, reminds me of my paw paw as well.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thats's great! Wish you well, happy holidays

[@SG08JC01]

I love Taro cake!!! Love your popo! ❤️ the way she talks, remind me of my childhood.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Wishing you and your family the best! Happy to cook with Popo

[@patrickrwhite8354]

I love taro cake and turnip cake and chestnut cake even chicken feet delicious .Thank you and your grandmother. I loved my grandmother too.

[@MichaelNicastro]

You love all Chinese foods it seems!

[@patrickrwhite8354]

@@MichaelNicastro indeed

[@claudiayap819]

Michael the bonding with your Grandma is wonderful. Hope many more series will be shoot together with her. Esp her English n your Cantonese. Is just fantastic to the ears. Keep it up👍😋🤗

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Claudia. I’m lucky that I can spend time with her now! I’m learning so much and practicing Cantonese. Wish you and your family the best!

[@elainelam7255]

Haha you both are funny. 😁 I enjoyed watching grandma cook 👍

[@jennytang9942]

Love your 婆 婆 and your cooking videos with her 👍👍

[@funkoku]

I like your Popo taro recipie. Thanks for sharing

[@maxxq874]

Your videos with your PoPo makes me think of my own aunties and grandmother and all of their great cooking. 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@MichaelNicastro]

I'm glad it brings back good feelings! Wish you and your family well :)

[@thuvanhuynh7700]

兩婆孫都好可愛！

[@sheycao5218]

love your grandma shes so cute

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Sheila, wishing you and your family the best!

[@isabellaperez4855]

This reminds me of when I used to cook with my abuelita 🥺 you got a new subscriber, I love your grandma 💕

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Isabella! You know it's funny how similar asian and hispanic culture is! I'm just curious if your abuelita uses the oven as storage? lol. Wishing you and your family the best! - Michael

[@wendychu4634]

Great video. Your grandmother looks like a lovely lady

[@MichaelNicastro]

Yeah very lucky to have her :)

[@lwinlwin8269]

Grandma so cute miss my grandma ❤️

[@MichaelNicastro]

Sending you and your family positivity and love.

[@SavannahVu1985]

OMG I tried this yesterday! Was a huge hit with the family! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful adorable grandma's recipe, the old recipe I had didn't even compare to hers. Must be that special touch/way our grandparents make it, just has to be 😁. Also, off topic but the way you say PoPo is adorable ❤

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Savannah. I think what made it special was the intention for it to be great and it was made with love, that's the SECRET ingredient. Us young people are learning the ways, no need to worry! Be Well ~!

[@davale7854]

I love love love love this channel!!!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks happy holidays to you and your family!

[@janetchg8313]

Thanks for your recipe. Thanks for your popo for sharing. All the foods look great!! I'll try to cook this taro cake soon!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Yay! Let me know how it comes out. All the best.

[@mlee895]

Taro is one of my favs! Yum-O. Love your popo. She is just an awesome grandma. I am so impressed with your Chinese! I think she speaks my dialect, toisanese! I loss my mom and so this brings back so many wonderful memories. Enjoy and relish your moments with her..such a precious time. Give her a hug for me!! 😄

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hey M! Thanks for your kind words! Thanks I wish I embraced Chinese culture when I was younger. Popo used to speak Chinese to me but I would always speak English. I started actively trying to learn Chinese when I was in my 20s. Yes she does, and so does my mother. My grandfather is from Toisan. Popo is from HK, Raised in NYC chinatown so I always grew up hearing Toisan and Cantonese mixed. I give her a big hug for you :). All the best to you and your family.

[@soozjoo]

Ask PoPo to teach us how to make sticky rice Chinese Joong! Love your relationship ! Your Cantonese is pretty good too

[@MichaelNicastro]

Ok! She will probably say ahhhh too much work lol. I'm trying to practice. Thanks Susie for the support wish you and your family well.

[@SL-yi9xu]

Wow! Just love this! You grew up well, Michael. Glad you learned a lot from your Grandma. I called her Mah Sim, she was one of my Aunt’s bridesmaids.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Mahh sim is that toisan

[@SL-yi9xu]

@@MichaelNicastro Yes, Hoisan dialect ..

[@lilystonne4108]

I have eaten both. My mother liked to make daikon cake. My mother-in-law used to receive both taro and daikon cake from her friends. She shared them with us. Now I have them at dim sum restaurants.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Ahh good memories! Yes me too. Which one do you like better?

[@elainekuik7364]

So sweet🥰lovely granma and handsome granson😅😆😂😂😂

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Elaine, I wish you and your family the best :).

[@lwinlwin8269]

God bless her ❤️❤️❤️

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you! have a great day

[@Lalala-f2q]

Lol you both are so cute! Love your videos featuring grandma 😄

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks elva! Hope you are well. Popo is back!

[@jenniferho1040]

Omg you two are adorable! Love your canto, dont see alot of bwoon hong faan speak canto!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Haha thank you

[@euniceRomney]

Good work😊

[@Annaohmeiean]

Very entertaining. Thx for some tips

[@MichaelNicastro]

You are welcome~

[@PuYiLee]

Awesome video! Your grandma cooks just like my dad, bit improvised haha but it always taste good! Funny note, even sighing is the same in all Cantonese people 😅

[@MichaelNicastro]

Improvise and cook with the heart! Haha Sighing is necessary all the time lol.

[@luvlyhun]

Hey Micheal, keep up the good work about learning to cook together with your popo.. hope one day you will be a great cook just like your popo..

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hopefully one day :)

[@luvlyhun]

@@MichaelNicastro I have faith in you. Looking forward to that one day..

[@MrJoseph328]

Great video! Your popo is so cute! Watching ur video reminds me of my popo 🥲.

[@MichaelNicastro]

That's great thanks for your support. Wishing you and your family well - Michael

[@aldente80]

Hey Michael, Moe Yoong and Loon Joon is what I was called all the time growing up. You take it in stride.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Haha wise words thank you my friend!

[@amychow8602]

Ay yah...too cute! ❤❤❤

[@kennyfoo2910]

婆婆：妳真係教🉐️佢好好（佢又識聴妳講廣東話 難得） 我是從香港移民的廣東台山人 我太太同兒子 移民到加拿大多倫多的Oakville 市已經三十三年多 而個兒子亦有三十九歲 而他亦有一份好的工作 年入超過卅二萬多加元。㊗️各位身體健康 萬事如意 謝謝❤

[@jackie9068]

Very lovely

[@HealingPlaceEnergySchool]

Very good

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks as always Helen

[@Gary-jn1ln]

Looks amazing

[@MichaelNicastro]

Pretty good :)

[@nanadwiastutichanel7348]

Wow Looking good 😋

[@MichaelNicastro]

Do they have something like this in Indonesia?

[@nanadwiastutichanel7348]

Yupp because i like so much chinese food

[@nanadwiastutichanel7348]

And in indonesia verry lot chinese restaurant

[@MichaelNicastro]

@@nanadwiastutichanel7348 I want to eat Indonesian food

[@nanadwiastutichanel7348]

You have to visit Indonesia because besides being beautiful we also have a lot of different Indonesian food

[@rahayumisty3600]

Amazing

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you my friend! Wish you well

[@Suckseedz]

Stay healthy Popo 😊

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hey Venny all the best to you and your family too! Popo's sense of purpose now is cooking, it makes her happy.

[@Suckseedz]

@@MichaelNicastro happy to know that, she's really a great cook!

[@MichaelNicastro]

@@Suckseedz I'm sure you are too :).

[@kelly728]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh omg my mom used to make this 😍😍😍😍😍😍🤤🤤🤤 I’m gonna try make it ☺️

[@MichaelNicastro]

Mom would be proud :)

[@eddiechan1873]

PoPo .. Happy Chinese New Year .. Good Health .. Good Lucks .. 👵👦🐕👍👍🥘

[@MichaelNicastro]

Appreciate you!

[@nartsylemak]

Miss Popo KZbin video. ❤️❤️❤️

[@MichaelNicastro]

More coming soon! Been focusing on tik tok :)

[@lynnc6155]

you're a nice grandson...can you ask your grandma whether i can use tapioca starch, cause i'm allergic to wheat, corn and rice

[@MichaelNicastro]

Yes, my Popo said try out the Tapioca Starch instead of the Wheat Starch :). To be honest, we don't really follow the recipes that much as you can see. I hope it works out!

[@vthom1058]

My mom's a lefty too

[@MichaelNicastro]

Wow really! Very creative souls

[@曾诗馨]

在这个视频中，我的奶奶“Popo”向我们展示了如何制作芋头糕，这是一种用米粉和几种配料制成的广式咸味蛋糕。有不同的版本。 制作一盘的粗略配方（我的奶奶没有测量） 配料 半个大芋头（1-½ 磅芋头） 1 杯米粉 1 至 (1 - ½) 杯温水 2 汤匙玉米淀粉 2 汤匙小麦淀粉（不要小麦淀粉，只需多用玉米淀粉） 2 根中式香肠 适量盐和胡椒 许多食谱都使用虾米（如果您喜欢） 中性油炒芋头并涂在锅上 程序 用大切肉刀将芋头切成两半（这有点困难）。剥去皮，直到不再有黑点。切成小方块。 然后在一个大锅里，用油炒芋头，直到它变软。然后放在一边冷却。 现在来制作面糊，在一个大碗里混合一杯米粉和一杯温水，加入玉米淀粉和小麦淀粉。（这些有助于面糊凝固。）让面糊静置 10 分钟。蒸或炒香肠，放在一边冷却。然后加入你的配料，如香肠和芋头。然后搅拌均匀。面糊应该有点水。你可能需要再加半杯水。在烹饪过程中，芋头会吸收液体。 当面糊在一个大铝盘里完成后，用油涂上一层，把面糊倒进去，蒸 1 小时。然后就可以上桌了。你可以把它冷藏起来。第二天把它从冰箱里拿出来，你可以切成矩形，然后用平底锅煎。（我喜欢这个）。

[@susansi8616]

No water when peeling lah . Ca become Wat wat then cut finger lah.

[@JS-sb1yx]

Lol grandma so done with you

[@MichaelNicastro]

Yup that's true

[@curiefong5502]

Michael, wouldn't it be nice if you eventually open your own Chinese restaurant.... you have so much background info from your dear grandmother...

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hey thank you so much! I actually used to want to do that. I'm not sure if that's my path now but still love the spirit of a restaurant and thank you for your support!

[@aldente80]

Yes, your grandma puts in the correct amount of lop chieung. 9:35 😊

[@MichaelNicastro]

Haha ok, it's all by feel.

[@srlkngl]

..more like a fam video here....adorable back and forth with grandma (assuming)....

[@MichaelNicastro]

Yes exactly haha not the easiest to follow but real homestyle. Wish you and your family well!

[@janesaothong9064]

🥺🥺🥺 your grandma is so cute. Reminds me of mine 💜

[@MichaelNicastro]

I’m happy it reminds you of yours. Wishing you and your family the best

[@kidscanada2012]

😋

[@vicksmum]

Is your grandma from Malaysia?

[@MichaelNicastro]

No she's from HK

[@mandykal]

English is good what country u live I ?

[@patricialowe9742]

W

[@Lalala-f2q]

I prefer taro cake better haha

[@MichaelNicastro]

Why? Lol

[@rat108]

2, 3, 4 teaspoons whatever

[@MichaelNicastro]

All heart no measurements lol

[@susansi8616]

How about ham tan ,pay tan, ching chee yuk?

[@MichaelNicastro]

Ok I will ask Popo :)