Steamed Pork Buns

Ingredients

Filling:

2 cups barbecue pork 1/2 cm dice
4 Tbs peanut oil
4 tsp shallots minced
3 Tbs all-purpose flour
12 Tbs chicken stock
2 Tbs dark soy sauce

Bun dough:

1 Tbs granulated sugar
1/4 cup water warm (40 degrees)
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbs lard or shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar, extra-fine (pulse in a grinder for 30 sec)
1 cup whole milk warm (40 degrees)
1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 Tbs baking powder mixed with 1 1/2 Tbs water

Seasoning:

2 Tbs oyster sauce
4 Tbs granulated sugar
1 Tbs peanut oil
2 tsp sesame oil

Method

Filling:

For the filling base heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the shallots 2 minutes or until light brown. Add the flour, stir to combine, and cook 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, stir well, and cook 2 minutes. Add soy sauce and cook one minute. Remove from heat and stir in cut pork and seasoning ingredients (oyster sauce, sugar, peanut oil, and sesame oil). Chill until very firm.

Bun Dough:

Dissolve sugar in warm water, sprinkle yeast over; let stand 2-3 minutes, and then stir to mix well. Let set until it starts to foam, 10 minutes. Sift flour and make well in the center. Whisk together the lard/ shortening, sugar, yeast mixture, and milk. The fat will not completely dissolve into the liquid.

Combine liquid mixture with the flour; gradually incorporate the flour with the liquid to make the dough. Knead the dough for 10 minutes, sprinkling with flour as necessary. Use the oil to grease the outside of the dough; cover and let rest in warm area 1 1/2 hours or until double in size.

Punch dough down and flatten out to about 2 cm thick. Spread the baking powder mixture evenly on the dough (this acts as a stabilizer). Roll dough up and knead about 10 minutes, or until smooth and satiny. The dough should be firmer than regular white bread dough. Cover and let rest 30 minutes.

Dough Breaking:

Divide the dough into four equal parts. Roll one piece by hand to form a rope approximately 23 cm long and 3 cm in diameter. Mark into 6 equal parts, 3 cm long.
Holding the dough with one hand, grip at the first mark with the thumb and index finger of the other hand and tear away briskly to break off a small dough piece. Continue breaking until you have 24 pieces.

Dough Rolling:

Flatten each piece of dough with your palm. Using a rolling pin, roll each into a round disk, making a quarter turn with each roll. Roll to leave the center thick; thinner edges are easier to pleat.

Assembling:

Place about 1 Tbs of filling at the center of each dough round, flat side up. Gather the edges by first pleating counterclockwise, and then twisting to seal securely. Place the bun round side up on a square piece of parchment paper (6.5 X 6.5 cm). Let buns rest, covered for at least 30 minutes.

Cooking:

Steam on high heat for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not uncover the steamer any time during the steaming. If a flat lid steamer is used, wrap the lid in a kitchen towel to prevent condensed steam from dripping on the buns.

Credits: Jessica Gavin

Photo Credits: Jessica Gavin