Best 5 Classic Manapua Steamed Buns Hawaiian Style Recipes

HAWAII'S BEST MANAPUA

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the sugar, shoyu, oyster sauce, five spice, salt, liquor, crushed garlic, and red food coloring. Mix until the sugar has dissolved.
• Cut the pork into large chunks. Add it to a large ziploc bag and let it marinate in the sauce overnight.
• Either cook the pork in a crockpot for 6 hours on high or in the Instant Pot on manual high for 45 minutes. Allow 10 minutes of natural release before pressing the quick release.
• Shred the meat. Save 1/2 cup of the leftover char siu juices.
• Combine the cold water and cornstarch. In a small pot add the char siu juices and corn starch.
• Heat until the filling has thickened then add in the char siu and mix to combine.
• Set aside the char siu filling to let it cool down to room temperature.
• In a large bowl, add in the flour. Create a small well in the flour and add in yeast, baking powder, and sugar.
• Slowly add in the water while stirring it with a wooden spoon or hand. Transfer the dough to a working surface with flour sprinkled on.
• With a vertical arm press down with your palm and bring it forward and with the other arm, bring it back. Sprinkle on more flour until the dough can slightly stick. Keep kneading until the dough has become smooth, waxy, soft, and bouncy. Divide the dough into 60-65g pieces. If you have extra, divide it amongst the other pieces. Then cover it with a plastic wrap to prevent it from air drying.
• With one divided piece, press it into a flat disc with the outer edges thin and in the middle thick.
• Stuff the dough with the manapua filling (be sure the filling is at room temperature) and close it on the top while swirling and pinching it. If there is excess dough, pinch it off and it'll look like a bald head. Set aside and repeat with the other pieces.
• ***Optional: To have a smoother looking sphere, use a rolling pin. Flatten a piece of dough. Roll it with a rolling pin, fold, and roll. Repeat for 4-5 times then shape it into a circular shape.
• Line a steamer with parchment paper and place the manapua on it. Cover and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
• In the meantime, boil water in a pot large enough to hold the steamer basket. Place the covered steamer over the pot and let it steam for 7-8 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
• Follow the instructions up to resting the dough.
• Preheat the oven to 375° F. Use egg wash to spread over the dough and bake it for 15-20 minutes or until it is golden brown. Enjoy!

MANAPUA - CHAR SIU BAO

Steps:

• Add hoisin, oyster sauce, and green onions to the chopped char siu.
• Dissolve sugar in 1-2 tablespoon of hot water. Mix into char siu filling mixture.
• You can also add more hoisin or oyster sauce to taste.\
• Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water and mix in 1 cup of flour. Cover with cloth. Let rise 1 hour, until bubbles appear.
• Dissolve sugar and vegetable oil in 1/2 cup boiling water. Cool until lukewarm. Pour into the yeast mixture and add the remaining 3 1/2 cups flour.
• Knead dough on lightly floured board until smooth (10 minutes). Put 2 tsp. of sesame seed oil into an extra large bowl and place dough inside. Roll dough around in bowl to lightly cover it with the sesame seed oil. Cover with a damp cloth and place in a warm place. Let rise until double in bulk, about 2 hours.
• Divide into 2 portions. Remove first portion and knead 2 minutes. Repeat with second. Roll each into roll 14 - 16 inches long and cut into 8-9 pieces.
• Shape each cut piece into round balls. Flatten each piece into 4 inch circles, leaving more dough in the center and using your fingers to push the dough out at the edges.
• Take a heaping tablespoon of the char siu mixture and place into the middle of each dough circle. Bring up the edges of the circle to encase the filling and pinch close.
• Place each bun onto a square piece of 2″ x 2″ parchment paper. Dip your fingers into the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil and lightly rub the top and sides of the buns. Place these onto a sheet and cover with a damp towel. Place in a warm area and let the buns rise for about 30 - 45 minutes.
• Place buns into a steamer and steam for 10-12 minutes.
• Remove buns and place on a rack to cool. Serve warm.
• If storing, let buns completely cool and place in the refrigerator in an air tight container. Keep up to 3 days.
• To reheat, cover with a damp paper towel and place into the microwave for up to 1 minute or until warmed through.
• If freezing, place buns into a plastic bag to store. Re-steam for 10 minutes.

HAWAIIAN STEAMED BEEF BUNS

Steps:

• For the dough: Whisk together the warm water and honey in a small bowl. Sprinkle in the yeast. Let the mixture rest until it bubbles, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture and sesame oil and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined. If the dough seems a little dry, sprinkle in a little bit of water. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface. If the dough is a little sticky, lightly dust the surface with flour. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Lightly grease a large mixing bowl with sesame oil. Form the dough into a ball and place it in the bowl, gently turning to coat. Cover with a damp clean dishtowel and let rest in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• For the filling: Heat the canola oil over medium-high heat in a medium skillet. Add the beef and a sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until lightly browned and no longer pink, about 2 minutes. Transfer the beef to a plate.
• Lower the heat to medium. Add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Return the beef to the skillet. Stir in the Chinese five spice powder and cook until very fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the sherry and cook until the skillet is almost dry. Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce and 1/4 cup water. Stir to combine and cook until the sauce has reduced and thickened, about 3 minutes. Cool completely.
• To make the steamed buns: Cut the wax paper into eight 3-inch squares. Lightly brush a baking sheet with canola oil. Transfer the dough to a clean work surface. Punch it down and divide it into 8 equal balls. Roll out each to a 5-inch disc, working from the center to the outer edge and turning it often to keep the middle twice as thick as the outer edge. Cup the disc of dough in one hand and mound 2 tablespoons of filling in the center. Pinch the edges of the dough together with your other hand to seal the bun, Flip the bun over so that it is seam-side down and reshape it into a smooth round dome. Place it on a square of wax paper to keep it from sticking. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Arrange the buns (and wax paper) on the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart and cover with a damp towel. Set the buns in a warm place to rise until plumped and puffy, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Fill a large pot with at least 3 inches of water and bring it to a strong simmer over medium-high heat. Put 4 buns in the steamer insert, leaving 1 inch between them to expand. Drape a clean dishcloth across the top of the pot to prevent condensation from dripping from the lid onto the buns. (This step isn't necessary if you are using a bamboo steamer.) Cover the steamer and cook for 20 minutes. Repeat with the remaining buns. Serve hot.

CLASSIC MANAPUA (STEAMED BUNS HAWAIIAN STYLE)

Steps:

• Sprinkle yeast over 3 tablespoons lukewarm water and allow to stand until yeast softens.
• To remaining water, add oil or shortening, sugar and salt, stirring until melted or dissolved. Cool. Add yeast mixture.
• Place flour in a large mixing bowl or a heavy-duty mixer and add most of the liquid. Combine until flour incorporates liquid and starts to become a ball.
• Add remaining liquid to make a very heavy dough.
• Begin kneading the dough in the bowl. Continue kneading until you have a smooth ball that is beginning to show signs of long strands on the outside, indicating that the gluten has fully developed.
• Remove dough from bowl and rinse out bowl. Pour sesame oil into bowl, return dough and turn it around until covered with a thin layer of the oil.
• Cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise until double in bulk (about an hour in a warm room).
• Place the dough in the refrigerator and allow it to rise (3-6 hours). Punch it down again and allow it to rise again (3 hours).
• Proceed with the filling while the dough is rising. In a saute pan, stir cornstarch, hoisin sauce, dry sherry, oyster sauce, ketchup, soy sauce and brown sugar into the 1 cup water until dissolved. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add char siu and simmer for 5 minutes. Take off heat and allow to cool completely. Chill covered until 1 hour before you are ready to stuff the manapua. Allow to return to room temperature before using.
• When ready to cook, cut 12 (3-inch) squares of waxed paper and coat 1 side with very light coat of nonstick cooking spray.
• Punch down dough and divide into 12 pieces. Roll each into a ball.
• Make the dough as thin as you can and try to keep the edges thinner than the center.
• Place the circle of dough in the palm of your hand. Spoon in a couple of tablespoons of filling, cupping the dough around it.
• With the thumb and finger of the other hand, pinch the edges of the dough as if you were making a fluted edging on a pie crust. Pinch the folds together, twisting them as you do so.
• Place the completed manapua on a square of greased waxed paper. Allow to plump up into a globe with a taut exterior.
• Heat a steamer with plenty of water or preheat an oven at 350 degrees F.
• If using steamer, fill steamer with manapua on their papers about 1 to 2 inches apart. Cover and steam vigorously for 15 minutes. Remove steamer from heat, let stand 5 minutes, then open. If using a metal steamer, place a folded tea towel across top of steamer, holding it in position with the lid. This will prevent steam from dropping onto manapua while steaming.
• If baking, place manapua on their papers on a baking sheet about 1-2 inches apart. Brush top of buns with a little vegetable oil and bake 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to stand 1 minutes. Serve hot.
• Manapua can be frozen. Frozen bau may be reheated by wrapping with a paper towel and microwaving for 1 minute.

HAWAIIAN MANAPUA (CHAR SIU) APPETIZER SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Filling:.
• • In a small size mixing bowl, combine garlic, ginger, oil, sugar, honey, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine, food coloring, water, salt and five spice powder. Mix well.
• • Pour the glaze over the pork and let marinate in the Char Siu sauce, covered overnight in the refrigerator.
• • The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. bake the pork (covered) in the oven for 45 to 55 minutes or until fork tender. Turn oven up to broil and place meat under broiler for 3 to 5 minutes until the char Siu (pork) is slightly charred. Remove from oven, wrap in foil and let rest for at least 15 minutes.
• • Chop pork into small diced pieces. Add chopped green onion and combine.
• Dough:.
• Place the sugar and warm water in a bowl; mix until sugar dissolves. Add yeast and leave it for 5 minutes until it starts to get foamy.
• • Sift flour into a large size mixing bowl. Add yeast mixture, egg, oil and salt; stir to mix. Use your hands to bring the flour mixture together.
• • Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 6 minutes or until smooth and slightly elastic.
• • Place in a lightly oiled, large size bowl; cover with a damp cloth and leave to rise until doubled in size, approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours depending on room temperature.
• •.
• • Assemble:.
• • Once dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide into 12 even portions; shape into round 1 inch size balls.
• • Use a rolling pin to roll a ball into a 2-inch disk. Then pick up the piece of dough and gently pull the edges to enlarge to a 3-inch diameter disk. The dough will be slightly thicker in the center.
• • Place a rounded tablespoon of filling in the middle of the dough circle. Gather the edges and seal the bun. (Use water on your fingertips if needed, to seal your edges).
• • Place the bun, seal side down, on a greased baking sheet. Continue with the rest of the dough, leaving 2 inches in between each roll.
• • Once all buns are filled, brush surface with egg wash.
• • Place in a preheated oven of 350 F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Cook's Note: These appetizers can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 3 months.