Steamed Sponge Cake

1. Separate eggs. Beat yolks in a large bowl. Add sugar and water; beat until fluffy. 2. Sift together flour and baking powder. Gradually add to eggs, mixing well. Then blend in vanilla extract. 3. Beat egg whites until they form peaks and are stiff but not dry. Fold into batter. 4. Line a cake pan (about 8 or 9 inches square and about 3 inches deep) with waxed paper or foil. Pour batter into pan. Rap the pan sharply on the table several times to remove large air bubbles. 5. Steam until done (20 to 25 minutes). See "How-to Section". Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick: If no batter adheres, the cake is done. 6. Let cake cool slightly. Place a large flat platter over the pan and invert cake onto it. Remove waxed paper or foil. Turn the cake right-side up and cut in 2-inch squares. Serve hot or cold. (Hot is better.) NOTE: This cake is fine for summer since it needs no oven-baking. Its also excellent for low-fat diets. To keep it dry, place a cloth under the steamer lid to catch and absorb the steam drippings. VARIATIONS: 1. For the sugar, substitute powdered sugar. 2. For the vanilla extract, use either half-vanilla and half-almond extract; or half-vanilla and half-lemon extract. 3. Use an electric mixer: Beat the egg whites until stiff. Gradually add the sugar and beat 2 minutes. (Omit the water.) Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract; beat 2 minutes more. Sift in the flour and baking powder, and mix well with egg mixture to make a smooth batter. Pick up steps 4, 5 and 6. 4. In step 4, line a Chinese bamboo steamer with a damp cloth; pour in the batter and steam. Or pour the batter into paper cupcake cups or greased custard cups. From <The Thousand Recipe Chinese Cookbook>, ISBN 0-517-65870-4. Downloaded from G Internet, G Internet.