Steamed Bao Buns

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Steamed Bao Buns
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Steamed Bao Buns

Recipe by whenyourhungryCourse: MainCuisine: JapaneseDifficulty: Medium
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Resting Time

2

hours 

15

minutes
Total time

3

hours 

5

minutes

Delicious steamed bao buns are a great way to use any meat from leftover dinner, especially tender slow-cooked pulled pork or minced meat or marinated tofu. It’s a perfect alternative to make lunch just more exciting and a tasty alternative Asian twist to a regular sandwich!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water

  • 2 tsp active dry yeast

  • 1 tbsp sugar/ honey

  • 3 cups all purpose flour

  • 1 tbsp oil

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1 tsp salt

  • Filling

  • Minced pork pan fried with salt & pepper

  • Garnished with pickled onions and pickled spicy peppers

Directions

  • To make the perfect bao buns, you need warm water, active dry yeast & honey in a bowl. Mix this well and leave aside on your counter for about 8-10 minutes until frothy
  • In another large mixing bowl, add the flour, oil, salt & baking powder and mix well
  • Add the frothy yeast mix to the large mixing bowl and combine well
  • Knead this mixture for 10 minutes. Place the dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with cling wrap and prove for 1.5 to 2 hours. You can rest this mixture over the kitchen countertop until the dough has almost doubled in size
  • Take the dough out of the bowl and punch it down on your surface board
  • Using a rolling pin, flatten this dough to about ¼ inch in thickness and using a circular 3 inch cookie cutter cut out rounds from the dough
  • Place these rounds onto a small sheet of parchment paper, line the buns with oil and fold the buns in half
  • Leave the prepared buns on a baking tray, cover with a damp tea towel, and place in a warm place for about 45 minutes. These buns should be well proved at this time
  • Steam the buns for about 8-10 mins (In batches, depending on how many will fit in your steamer)
  • Pry open each bun and fill them with your favorite meat (I have used pan fried minced pork), pickled onions & pickled spicy peppers

PRO TIP

  • This recipe would make around 15 steamed bao buns that are light, fluffy and pillowy perfect to stuff with your favourite fillings
  • You can shape the bao buns the way you like & use this recipe for either filled or stuffed bao buns 
  • These cooked bao buns can be frozen and simply resteamed in the steamer