IT’S 6 P.M., I’M HUNGRY AND I JUST NEED A LITTLE SNACK BEFORE DINNER. I APPROACH A STREET VENDOR STANDING IN FRONT OF A BLACKENED ROUND HOTPLATE. I TAKE A STOOL AND HE PREPARES ME A SMALL SERVE – IT IS CRISP BUT CHEWY, SOFT AND TASTY, AND REMINDS ME OF AUNTY FIVE’S RICE CAKES. HE TELLS ME THE BATTER IS JUST TAPIOCA FLOUR AND WATER, BUT THIS IS THE KIND OF RECIPE THAT FAMILIES LIKE TO KEEP SECRET, SO I CALLED AUNTY FIVE AND ASKED HER.

WHEAT STARCH IS WHEAT FLOUR WITHOUT THE PROTEIN,