Wheat Starch Unveiled: Culinary Wonders with Mytour

Embark on a journey exploring numerous daily delights crafted from wheat starch, an ingredient that might be unfamiliar to you. So, what exactly is wheat starch, and how does it elevate your culinary creations? Join Mytour as we uncover the secrets in this article.

1. Decoding Wheat Starch

Wheat starch is the concise term for the starch in wheat flour. Its fine, smooth texture and pure white color are distinctive features. Since gluten has been completely removed, wheat starch can significantly enhance the color of dishes. Foods with wheat starch tend to be whiter or much crispier and fluffier compared to other wheat flour-based baked goods.

Storing wheat starch is a breeze. Just seal it in an airtight container, avoid damp places, and steer clear of the moist compartment in the refrigerator. This type of flour is readily available at grocery stores, supermarkets, and baking supply shops at affordable prices, so feel free to incorporate wheat starch into your essential dishes!

Photo: Collection

2. Delectable Dishes with Wheat Starch

Many familiar dishes become even more delicious with the addition of wheat starch. Learn how to make them with Mytour:

2.1. Shrimp and Meat Dumplings

Ingredients 

Dumpling Wrapper

• 100g wheat starch 
• 70g cornstarch
• 4g salt
• 180ml boiling water 
• 17 ml cooking oil

Shrimp and Meat Filling

• 120g minced shrimp 
• 90g ground meat 
• Finely chopped onions
• Cornstarch
• Salt, pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Make the dumpling wrapper

Mix wheat bran with tapioca starch, pour boiling water, and stir well. Cover the mixture with food wrap and let it rest for 10 minutes. Add cooking oil and knead the dough by hand for about 5 minutes. Divide the dough into equal portions, shape them into rounds, and roll them thinly. You can add a layer of oil while rolling to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Make the Shrimp and Meat Filling

Mix shrimp and meat evenly, add salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Knead the mixture again and let it rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

Step 3: Wrap and Steam the Dumplings

During this step, you simply need to place the filling into the prepared dough and wrap it tightly. Ensure to use a modest amount of filling and seal the ends securely to prevent the dumplings from breaking during steaming. Next, bring water to a boil in a steamer pot, lightly grease the steaming tray, and steam the dumplings over high heat for 5 minutes.

Final Product

Authentic Vietnamese dumplings feature a delicate, translucent wrapper enveloping a savory filling of shrimp and meat, presenting a visually stunning appearance. When indulging in these dumplings, you'll experience a fragrant, tender, and juicy treat, perfectly cooked and nutritionally rich. For a delightful twist, you can also pan-fry the dumplings until golden, serve them with a dipping sauce made of chili and soy sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Image: Collected

2.2. Rice Noodle Soup

Ingredients

• 270g rice flour

• 320g tapioca flour

• 200g cornstarch

• 260ml boiling water

• Salt

• Vegetable oil

Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Dough

Following the provided recipe, combine rice flour, tapioca flour, cornstarch, a pinch of salt, and boiling water. It's preferable to use an electric mixer for a more uniform mixture.

Step 2: Extrude the Rice Noodles

Next, transfer the dough mixture into a noodle press and extrude the noodles twice. You can dust some tapioca flour to prevent the noodles from sticking together.

Step 3: Boil the Noodles

After the final extrusion, cook the noodles in boiling water. The noodles are ready when they turn a bright white color. Simply scoop them out, place them in a strainer, and rinse thoroughly with cold water for immediate use.

Final Product

Homemade rice noodles exhibit no trace of industrial flavors but boast a delightful fragrance. The noodles are rich in flavor, soft, smooth, and have just the right amount of chewiness. With your homemade rice noodles, you can elevate your dining experience by preparing a delicious broth using bone stock, shrimp, fish, or meat for a truly outstanding meal.

Image: Collected

2.3. Savory Coconut Mini Pancakes

Ingredients

• 600g rice pancake mix

• 200g cornstarch

• 900ml cold water

• 200g mung beans

• 3 eggs

• 400g shrimp

• 1 can coconut milk

• Green onions, lettuce, water spinach, basil, etc.

• Sweet and sour fish sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pancake Batter

Mix rice pancake mix and cornstarch with water according to the recipe, then add a pinch of salt. Ensure thorough stirring in both directions to completely dissolve the batter.

Step 2: Prepare the Pancake Filling

Start by mixing coconut milk with finely chopped green onions, adding sugar and salt, stirring well, and refrigerating for half an hour. Meanwhile, clean and steam the shrimp and mung beans. Note that the mung beans should be soaked for an hour for better taste.

Step 3: Steam the Coconut Mini Pancakes

Pour the pancake batter into the mold, add the prepared coconut milk mixture, and finally, include mung beans and shrimp. Place the pancake mold in the steamer pot and steam quickly for 5 – 10 minutes until the pancakes are cooked.

Final Product

Simple yet delicious, the coconut mini pancakes offer a refreshing taste that delights the palate. Just prepare a bowl of sweet and tangy garlic chili fish sauce, enjoy the pancakes with fresh vegetables, and you have a satisfying and indulgent meal without the fear of feeling too full.

• Explore more: What can you make with brown rice flour? 8 delicious treats

Image: Collected

2.4. Fried Rice Flour Cake

Ingredients

• 200g Rice Flour

• 40g Tapioca Flour

• 30g Cornstarch

• 100g Taro

• Green onions, salt, sugar, chili

• Soy sauce

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Flour

Making fried rice flour cake is a breeze. Simply mix rice flour, tapioca flour, and cornstarch according to the provided recipe with 500ml cold water. Stir well until the batter is smooth, then strain it. Finally, add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor and let it rest for 30 minutes.

While waiting, take the opportunity to cut the taro into small cubes and steam until cooked!

Step 2: Shape the Batter

Start by adding a bit of cooking oil to a pot, pour in the batter and taro, and simmer on low heat until the batter thickens. Be cautious to stop stirring once the batter has just thickened; never let it fully cook. Pour the cooked batter into a mold, use greased hands to evenly spread the batter, and press it firmly into the mold.

Step 3: Steam the Batter

Place the batter-filled mold in the steamer until the batter is fully cooked, approximately 10 minutes. A little tip: poke a toothpick into the batter, and if it comes out clean, it's ready. Let the batter cool a bit before transferring it to the refrigerator. Once the batter is firm, use a knife to cut it into bite-sized pieces. You can enhance the visual appeal by marinating the batter with some food coloring before frying or steaming.

Step 4: Fry the Batter

After completing the steps, prepare a pan with hot oil and fry the cut batter evenly. During the cooking process, you can add scrambled eggs, green onions, soy sauce, sugar, lime, and chili to make the dish even more enticing.

Final Product

The mouth-watering street-style fried rice flour cake is now ready in your own kitchen with just a few simple steps. The fried cake is aromatic, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, with a delightful sweet, sour, and spicy taste. You can also prepare a bowl of pickled vegetables with carrots and radishes soaked in vinegar to accompany the fried rice flour cake, ensuring a balanced and satisfying meal.

Image: Collected

These are four simple and delicious recipes featuring the versatility of cornstarch. Rest assured that after this article, you can confidently answer

and have many new additions to your culinary repertoire. Don't forget to follow Mytour Blog for more useful kitchen tips.

Explore more articles: 

• What is whole wheat flour?  Delicious dishes made with whole wheat flour
• Understanding Cake Flour: What to bake with cake flour?