What is instant yeast?
- Instant yeast is a type of dry yeast with fine granules and a light brown color. When using this type of yeast in baking, you do not need to activate it with warm water beforehand and can mix it directly with the flour.
- Instant yeast has significantly more gas than dry yeast, which can help the dough rise 50% faster, shortening the dough proofing time.
Tools needed
Dough mixer, steamer, pan, bowl, parchment paper…
How to make steamed buns with char siu filling using all-purpose flour
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Make the meat marinade sauce
Peel and wash the onion, then cut half of it into wedges.
Heat a pan on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, then add the sliced onion and sauté over medium heat until fragrant.
Next, add 120ml of water, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon of dark soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of char siu sauce. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds and then remove the onion.
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in 3 tablespoons of water, then add it to the pan and continue stirring over low heat until the sauce thickens.
Finally, transfer the sauce to a bowl and let it cool completely.
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Marinate the Char Siu meat
Use a knife to dice the Char Siu meat, then add the meat to the marinade bowl and mix well.
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Mix the dough
Add 350g of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 teaspoons of instant yeast, and 2 teaspoons of baking powder into a large bowl and mix well.
Next, add 1.5 tablespoons of cooking oil and 180 – 190ml of water. Start the mixer and mix the dough at low speed for 8 minutes until the dough forms a smooth, non-sticky ball.
Tip: If you don’t have a mixer, you can also knead the dough by hand, but it will take more effort and time!
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Divide the dough
Divide the dough into 14 equal portions and roll each portion into a ball.
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Shaping the dough
You roll out each piece of dough so that the edges are thinner than the center.
Next, add about 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of the dough piece and gather the edges of the dough together. Do the same until all the remaining ingredients are used up!
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Steaming the buns
Prepare a steamer lined with a sheet of parchment paper, then arrange the buns in it, cover tightly, and let them rest for 30 minutes.
Next, place the steamer over a pot of boiling water, cover tightly, and steam over medium heat for 10 minutes.
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Finished Product
Steamed buns with char siu have a soft, fluffy, and smooth white skin, and when torn apart, they emit a light fragrance along with a delicious sweet and nutty flavor. Inside is a rich filling of meat and char siu sauce, the more you eat, the more you love it!
2. Steamed buns with char siu using pre-mixed flour
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Preparation
1 hour
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Cooking
30 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Steamed buns with char siu using pre-mixed flour For 8 buns
Char siu meat 270 gr Steamed bun flour 400 gr Red coloring powder 1 teaspoon Cornstarch 1.5 tablespoons Onion 1/2 bulb Oyster sauce 1 tablespoon Sesame oil A little Soy sauce 1 teaspoon Unsweetened fresh milk 200 ml (or water) Common spices A little (pepper/ monosodium glutamate/ sugar)
Where to buy bao dough?
- You can buy bao dough at supermarkets, TasteVN stores, or more conveniently by ordering online at the website bachhoaxanh.com.
- When purchasing, remember to check the packaging and expiration date of the product to ensure safety.
Tools needed
How to make Char Siu Bao using pre-mixed dough
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Prepare the ingredients
First, use a knife to dice 270g of char siu meat.
Next, peel and wash the onion, then proceed to dice 1/2 of the onion.
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Stir-fry the filling
Place a pan on the stove with a little sesame oil and heat it up, then add the onion and sauté until fragrant.
Next, add the char siu meat, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and 1 teaspoon of annatto powder or chili powder. Mix well over medium heat until the mixture is blended.
Dissolve 1.5 tablespoons of cornstarch in 1/2 cup of water, then pour this mixture into the meat pan.
Stir until the mixture thickens, then turn off the heat, transfer the mixture to a bowl, and let it cool.
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Mix the dough
In a bowl, add 400g of bao flour along with the packet of yeast included in the flour bag, then add 200ml of unsweetened milk or filtered water into the bowl and mix well.
Next, use a dough mixer at low to high speed for about 20 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic, and does not stick to your hands.
Tip: If you do not have a dough mixer, you can also knead the dough by hand, but it will take more time and effort!
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Dividing the dough
Divide the dough into 8 equal parts and roll each piece into a ball.
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Shaping the buns
Use a rolling pin to flatten each piece of dough so that the edges are thinner than the middle. Then, add 2 teaspoons of char siu filling and fold the edges of the dough together tightly.
Tip: To prevent the dough from drying out, cover it with a damp cloth during the shaping process.
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Steaming the buns
Prepare a steamer lined with parchment paper, then arrange the buns in it, cover tightly, and let them rise for 50 minutes.
Next, place the steamer over a pot of boiling water, cover with a lid, and steam over medium heat for 10 – 15 minutes. When the buns are fully steamed, turn off the heat and let them sit in the pot for another 5 minutes before taking them out.
Tip: If you use a stainless steel steamer, remember to cover the top of the pot with a cloth to prevent steam from dripping onto the buns.
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Final product
The steamed buns after completion have a white, fluffy, and soft outer layer with a sweet, nutty flavor, lightly fragrant from fresh milk combined with a delicious filling that’s both tasty and nutritious.
What is char siu?
- Char siu is a type of roasted or grilled pork, originating from Guangdong, China.
- The meat commonly used in this dish is pork shoulder marinated with honey, five-spice powder, soy sauce, fermented tofu, hoisin sauce, red coloring, and wine, then grilled to achieve an attractive orange-red color.
- You can buy char siu at supermarkets or make it at home following the TasteVN recipe to ensure safety and hygiene!
With this incredibly simple method, TasteVN hopes to help you make 2 super delicious and enticing steamed buns with char siu filling right at home. Wishing you success!
