**Explore the Exquisite Flavors of Chinese Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) with Two Scrumptious Recipes**
Indulge in the delectable world of Chinese cuisine with this culinary journey into the art of making Char Siu Bao, the iconic steamed pork buns that have captivated taste buds for centuries. Our comprehensive guide features two exceptional recipes, each offering a unique take on this beloved dish. Dive into the secrets of creating the perfect Char Siu filling, with its rich, caramelized glaze and tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Discover the secrets of crafting the pillowy-soft bao buns, known for their delicate chew and airy lightness. Whether you prefer the classic Cantonese-style Char Siu Bao or the innovative fusion of Taiwanese Gua Bao, we've got you covered. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.
BAKED PORK BUN (CHAR SIU BAO)
Provided by Food Network
Time 4h55m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- For the marinade: Mix the chicken base, soy sauce, sugar, food coloring, salt and pepper in a bowl. Cut pork in half horizontally to make two long, flat thin pieces (for better flavor penetration). Put the pork in a stainproof container or resealable plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Marinate 20 minutes in the fridge.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a rack on top. Remove pork from the marinade and place on rack. Roast, about 45 minutes. Let pork rest for 10 minutes, then dice.
- For the dough: Meanwhile, combine the flour, sugar, butter, yeast, egg and 1/2 cup warm water in a mixing bowl and blend for 10 minutes. Let sit for 3 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut twelve 3-inch pieces of wax paper and set aside.
- Roll dough by hand into a cylinder with a 1 1/4-inch diameter. Cut into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and flatten into a 3-inch pancake.
- Add some pork to the center of a pancake, then fold the edges of the dough over the pork and bring together. Repeat with remaining pancakes and pork, placing completed buns on squares of wax paper.
- Place completed filled buns on waxed paper and brush tops with mayonnaise and condensed milk. Bake, about 15 minutes.
CHA SIU BAO (SWEET BARBECUE PORK BUNS)
Cha siu bao are a traditional Chinese dish and one of my fiancee's favorites - she introduced me to them. Bao is the Chinese word for bun; cha siu describes the filling. I had several recipes, none of which turned out perfectly; this is a composite of 2 recipes, and I think I've got it. These are somewhat time-consuming to make, but are well worth it on special occasions. Prep time includes time for the bao to rise.
Provided by ChrisMc
Categories Breads
Time 2h40m
Yield 8 bao
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- You can use my recipe for char siu (#34265) or make it with a mix- both powdered and liquid mixes are available at Asian food stores.
- I like the Noh brand, personally.
- Chop the char siu and mushrooms finely.
- Combine the water and cornstarch and stir into the char siu and mushrooms.
- Add salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, and sugar, and add enough food coloring to color the mixture a bright red.
- Heat the oil and lightly cook the garlic, then add the rest of the filling mixture and cook until thick.
- To make the bao dough, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the water and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Combine water with salt, milk and oil; stir in flour.
- Knead 5-10 minutes or until dough is smooth.
- Divide dough into 8 even balls.
- Press a cavity into each ball, and spread the ball into a 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick cup.
- Fill the cup with 1/8 of the filling mixture, and press the edges closed to seal the bao.
- Cut waxed paper in 4-5 inch squares and place each bao on a piece of paper, sealed side down.
- Place bao in a steamer basket, cover, and let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Bring the water under the steamer to a boil and steam bao for 10 minutes.
CHAR SIU BAO (PORK BUNS)
I adapted the char siu recipe from my friend Mitch's late Great Uncle Kennie's recipe. Making these dim sum buns does take a bit of time, especially if you make the meat yourself, but the results are wonderful! If you have an Asian deli that sells char siu (Chinese BBQ pork), that will save you time. Times assume meat is pre-bought or made ahead of time. Thanks to Pneuma for putting this recipe in her best of 2008 cookbook!
Provided by Maito
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 1h20m
Yield 16 buns, 4-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- To make meat:.
- Combine marinade. Marinate pork at least 3 hours, or overnight.
- Cooking methods:.
- a) place meat on a roasting pan with a rack -- with the pan below filled with water and roast at 350 F until done (turn over half way through) OR.
- b) cook in a crock pot with 3 cups of water for 1 hour on high and then 7 hours on low or until it flakes apart (this is the method I have used) OR.
- c) you could try grilling or broiling the meat, but it might lack some of the moisture that the other two methods will give you.
- To make filling:.
- Sauté ginger in hot peanut oil, stirring constantly, for about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and mix with hoisin, chili paste, green onions and meat. Let cool.
- To make dough:.
- Mix yeast, sugar and warm water; let proof (sit and rise) for about 10 minutes.
- Place flours and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, if available. (This can also be done by hand).
- Add yeast mixture. Knead until homogeneous and dough forms a ball.
- Let rise in a cool place to minimize air bubbles, about 15 minutes.
- Portion dough into 16 balls, flatten them, and place a small amount of filling into the center of each.
- Pinch back to close and form a ball shape.
- Place balls on lightly oiled piece of parchment or waxed paper (oiled plastic wrap would probably work too). Let proof 15 minutes, or until double in size.
- Place in a covered steamer, and cook for 8-10 minutes.
- Eat now or cool completely and freeze in ziplock bags (to reheat: steam 10 minutes).
- Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
CHINESE BARBECUED PORK BUN (CHA SIU BOW)
I was raised in San Francisco and have fun memories of going down to China Town with my Dad and chowing down on steamed pork buns that we had gotten from one of the ubiquitous Chinese bakeries there. This recipe brings back those memories every time. These steamed buns are simply wonderful.
Provided by jeniwan
Categories Asian
Time 3h45m
Yield 16 buns
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Mix together the warm water, 1/2 teaspoons sugar and yeast in an 8 oz. measuring cup. Let stand until it rises to the 8 oz. level (about 20 minutes).
- Sift flour, cake flour, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Add shortening, yeast mixture and milk. Knead mixture 5 minutes to form a dough.
- Cover with a damp cloth and set dough in a warm place. Allow the dough to rise for 3 hours.
- Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan and stir-fry pork for 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons water, salt, sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce and hoisin sauce. Bring it to a boil.
- Mix the cornstarch and 4 tablespoons cold water. Stir into the mixture and cook for 1 minute until thickened. Let cool before making the buns.
- After 3 hours, when the dough has risen, shape into rolls about 2 inches in diameter. Cut each roll into 1-1/2 inch pieces. Shape each piece into a shallow bowl shape. Put 1 tablespoon filling in the center, close and twist dough to form a bun.
- Put the bun on a 2 inch square of white paper. (This prevents the bun from becoming soggy while steaming.) Place 8 buns at a time in a pie pan and allow them to set and rise for 15 minutes in a warm place.
- Steam for 25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 200, Fat 3.6, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 2.7, Sodium 218.1, Carbohydrate 36.8, Fiber 1, Sugar 3.6, Protein 4.6
CHINESE PORK BUNS (CHA SIU BAO)
You may find these buns in the local Chinese restaurants. They do take time to make but they are yummy!
Provided by MC
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Dissolve 1/4 cup sugar in 1 3/4 cups warm water, and then add the yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until mixture is frothy. Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons shortening and the yeast mixture; mix well.
- Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, and cover it with a sheet of cling wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until it has tripled in bulk.
- Cut the pork into 2 inch thick strips. Use fork to prick it all over. Marinate for 5 hours in a mixture made with 1 1/2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, and 1 teaspoon sweet soy sauce. Grill the pork until cooked and charred. Cut roasted port into 1/2 inch cubes.
- Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Mix cornstarch with 2 1/2 tablespoons water; add to the saucepan, and stir until thickened. Mix in 2 tablespoons lard or shortening, sesame oil, and white pepper. Cool, and mix in the roasted pork.
- Remove the dough from the bowl, and knead it on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic. Roll the dough into a long roll, and divide it into 24 pieces. Flatten each piece with the palm of the hand to form a thin circle. The center of the circle should be thicker than the edge. Place one portion of the pork filling in the center of each dough circle. Wrap the dough to enclose the filling. Pinch edges to form the bun. Let the buns stand for 10 minutes.
- Steam buns for 12 minutes. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 191.4 calories, Carbohydrate 28.3 g, Cholesterol 11.9 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 7.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 196.3 mg, Sugar 3.3 g
Tips on Making Chinese Pork Buns (Cha Siu Bao):
- Choose high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the taste of your pork buns. Use fresh, high-quality pork shoulder and make sure your yeast is active and fresh.
- Knead the dough properly: The dough should be kneaded until it is smooth and elastic. This will help to ensure that the buns are light and fluffy.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place: The ideal temperature for rising dough is between 75°F and 85°F. If the dough is too cold, it will not rise properly. If the dough is too warm, it will rise too quickly and become too airy.
- Roll the dough out evenly: When rolling out the dough, make sure to do so evenly so that the buns are all the same size and shape.
- Fill the buns generously: Do not be shy with the filling! The more filling you put in each bun, the more delicious they will be.
- Pinch the buns closed carefully: Make sure to pinch the buns closed carefully so that they do not leak during steaming.
- Steam the buns until they are cooked through: The buns should be steamed until they are cooked through, but not overcooked. Overcooked buns will be tough and chewy.
Conclusion:
Chinese pork buns (cha siu bao) are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are relatively easy to make, but they do require some time and effort. By following the tips in this article, you can make sure that your pork buns turn out perfect every time.
These light and fluffy buns filled with tender, savory pork are sure to be a hit with family and friends. So next time you are looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give Chinese pork buns a try!
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