Bao Buns Recipe

Bao buns, also known as "baozi" or "steamed buns," are a popular Chinese street food. They're soft, fluffy, and can be filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings. Making bao buns from scratch involves making a yeast-leavened dough that's steamed to create a soft, pillowy texture. Here's a basic recipe for bao buns:

Ingredients:

For the Bao Dough:

• All-Purpose Flour: 500g (about 4 cups)
• Instant Yeast: 1 teaspoon
• Baking Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
• Sugar: 50g (about 1/4 cup)
• Warm Water: 200 ml (about 3/4 cup)
• Milk: 100 ml (about 1/3 cup)
• Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons

For the Filling:

You can use a variety of fillings, but a popular choice is char siu pork. Here's a simple filling:

• Cooked and Shredded Pork: 500g
• Hoisin Sauce: 3 tablespoons
• Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Sesame Oil: 1 teaspoon
• Sugar: 1 teaspoon
• Green Onions: chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough:

   • In a large bowl, mix together the flour, yeast, baking powder, and sugar.
   • Add the warm water, milk, and oil. Mix until a dough begins to form.
   • Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
   • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Filling:

   • Combine the cooked shredded pork with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
   • Mix well and set aside.

3. Shape the Bao Buns:

   • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface.
   • Divide the dough into equal-sized pieces (about 12-15).
   • Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten it into an oval shape using a rolling pin.
   • Place a spoonful of the pork filling in the center of each oval.
   • Bring the edges of the dough up and around the filling, pinching them together to seal.

4. Steam the Bao Buns:

   • Prepare your steamer by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greased cabbage leaves to prevent sticking.
   • Place the bao buns in the steamer, ensuring they're not touching each other as they will expand during cooking.
   • Steam over boiling water for about 12-15 minutes, or until the buns are puffed and cooked through.

5. Serve:

   • Serve the bao buns hot, garnished with chopped green onions.

Tips:

• The key to soft and fluffy bao buns is in the kneading and proofing of the dough.
• You can experiment with different fillings, including vegetables, other meats, or even sweet fillings like red bean paste.
• Bao buns can be made in advance and reheated by steaming for a few minutes.

Enjoy your homemade bao buns! They're a delightful treat that can be enjoyed

as a snack, appetizer, or part of a meal.