Stir Fried Chinese Arrowhead or Arrow root

I have been living in Malaysia for almost 4 years now. Every year a month before chinese new year, somewhere in January, these little bulbs start to appear.  Have noticed everyone flocking around it and buying bags and bags of these things.

From afar it looks like a garlic bulb, but once you come closer it looks like a small bulb, has no smell and is white and quite hard. So since this could be our last year in Malaysia, hubby is finishing his final year :( ,  I decided to buy some of these arrowheads or arrow roots this year.

 When choosing them, go for the firm ones with no blemishes and soft patches. I decided to try this stir fry recipe I saw on a blog while googling around for a recipe rather than the more common chips.  Peeling them was a bit fiddly so I just used a vegetable peeler. Even though the recipe suggested I give a good bang with a cleaver to half it I just cut it in two rather than have arrowheads flying all over my kitchen.
I used boneless chicken breast instead of pork, and added a chilli for a bit of heat.  The taste of arrowhead, well kinda reminded me of chestnuts. A bit like a potato but not so starchy, with quite a pleasant taste no overpowering flavor.

Serves 2
Recipe adapted from  www.haveyoueaten.net

8 arrowroot/arrowhead, peeled cut in half
1 boneless chicken breast cut  into strips
2-3 spring onions ( cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1-2 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp cornflour
2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1-2 red chillies
a pinch of pepper ( preferably white pepper as I found black pepper too overpowering for this dish)
salt if necessary

1. Marinate chicken strips in oyster sauce, soy, pepper and cornflour for about an hour in the fridge.

2. Heat a wok and once hot add some oil fry the garlic till soft but not black!!!, work quickly and add the chicken strips. Stir fry

3. Stir in the arrowhead bulbs and add about 1/3 cup water or stock and any remaining marinade and let it cook covered. The bulbs should be cooked through but not so soft. So taste one to check if done. Taste the sauce and add salt if necessary.  Remove the lid, and reduce the sauce to a thick sauce. Stir in chillies and spring onions. Serve as soon as possible as stir fries are best served while still warm.

I served this with plain cooked rice. enjoy!

Hope you all have a nice week end, and a happy chinese new year to those who are celebrating this new year!!
Ps also got some little news or rather big news, we are expecting our 2nd child, Inshallah by August, just thought I would let you into a little news of my life :) If you are wondering what insha allah is, its muslim way of saying god's willing when planning or saying something thats going to happen or something you plan to do in the future. Its like the way some people say touch wood when something good happens.