Chili Crab Seafood White Bee Hoon Soup with Mantou-Inspired You Tiao

Prepare the You Tiao: Cut the You Tiao dough into 2-inch pieces. Place on a lightly oiled plate, leaving space between each piece.

Steam the You Tiao: Place the plate of You Tiao in a steamer over high heat. Steam for 12-15 minutes, or until the You Tiao are puffy and cooked through. They should be a light golden brown colour and have a soft, fluffy texture. Set aside.

Prepare the Aromatics: Heat oil in a wok or large pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic, chopped shallots, grated ginger, and chopped red chilies. Sauté until fragrant and golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. The aroma will be intensely savoury and spicy.

Build the Chili Crab Base: Add tomato paste and Chili Crab Sauce to the wok. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the colour deepens to a rich red.

Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer. Add oyster sauce, light soy sauce, and sugar. Stir well to combine.

Cook the Seafood: Add the prawns and clams to the simmering broth. Cook until the prawns turn pink and the clams open, about 3-5 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open.

Thicken the Sauce: Gradually pour in the cornstarch slurry, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. The sauce should be glossy and coat the back of a spoon.

Incorporate the Crab and Egg: Gently stir in the cooked crab meat. Slowly drizzle in the beaten egg, stirring gently to create egg ribbons in the sauce.

Add the Noodles: Add the softened white bee hoon noodles to the wok. Toss gently to coat the noodles evenly with the Chili Crab sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the noodles are heated through and have absorbed some of the sauce.

Serve: Ladle the Chili Crab Seafood White Bee Hoon Soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with the steamed You Tiao on the side for dipping.

Serve immediately and enjoy the symphony of flavours. The you tiao's fluffy interior soaks up the rich, spicy sauce while the smooth white bee hoon glide down your palate!