Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast (For the steamed cha siu bao dough)
• 3/4 cup warm water (For the steamed cha siu bao dough)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (For the steamed cha siu bao dough)
• 1 cup cornstarch (For the steamed cha siu bao dough)
• 5 tablespoons sugar (For the steamed cha siu bao dough)
• 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil (For the steamed cha siu bao dough)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (For the steamed cha siu bao dough)
• 1-2 teaspoons water (optional) (For the steamed cha siu bao dough)
• 1 tablespoon oil (For the steamed bao filling)
• 1/3 cup shallots or red onion (finely chopped) (For the steamed bao filling)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (For the steamed bao filling)
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (For the steamed bao filling)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce (For the steamed bao filling)
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil (For the steamed bao filling)
• 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce (For the steamed bao filling)
• 1/2 cup chicken stock (For the steamed bao filling)
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour (For the steamed bao filling)
• 1 1/2 cups diced Chinese roast pork (you can buy it ready-made, or see our Chinese BBQ Pork recipe) (For the steamed bao filling)

Steps

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment (you can also just use a regular mixing bowl and knead by hand), dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Sift together the flour and cornstarch, and add it to the yeast mixture along with the sugar and oil. Turn on the mixer to the lowest setting and let it go until a smooth dough ball is formed. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 2 hours.
2. While the dough is resting, make the meat filling. Heat the oil in a wok over medium high heat. Add the onion and stir-fry for a minute. Turn heat down to medium-low, and add the sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and dark soy. Stir and cook until the mixture starts to bubble up. Add the chicken stock and flour, cooking for a couple minutes until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the roast pork. Set aside to cool. If you make the filling ahead of time, cover and refrigerate to prevent it from drying out.
3. After your dough has rested for 2 hours, add the baking powder to the dough and turn the mixer on to the lowest setting. At this point, if the dough looks dry or you're having trouble incorporating the baking powder, add 1-2 teaspoons water. Gently knead the dough until it becomes smooth again. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for another 15 minutes.
4. In the meantime, get a large piece of parchment paper and cut it into ten 4x4 inch squares. Prepare your steamer by bringing the water to a boil.
5. Now we are ready to assemble the buns: roll the dough into a long tube and divide it into 10 equal pieces. Press each piece of dough into a disc about 4 1/2 inches in diameter (it should be thicker in the center and thinner around the edges). Add some filling and pleat the buns until they're closed on top.
6. Place each bun on a parchment paper square, and steam. I steamed the buns in two separate batches using a bamboo steamer (be sure the boiling water does not touch the buns during steaming process). Once the water boils, place the buns in the steamer and steam each batch for 12 minutes over high heat.