Steamed buns, also known as baozi or mantou, are a staple food in Chinese cuisine, enjoyed for their fluffy texture and versatility. These buns can be filled with a variety of ingredients, both savory and sweet, making them a popular choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In this article, we will delve into the art of making steamed buns from scratch, providing recipes for classic pork buns, vegetarian buns, and sweet red bean buns. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, our detailed instructions and helpful tips will guide you through the process of creating these delicious steamed buns at home.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
CHINESE STEAMED BUNS WITH BBQ PORK FILLING
This is a simple recipe for Char-Siu Bau. A wok equipped with a stainless steel steam plate--a plate with holes to allow steam to pass--is required to make these tasty buns.
Provided by Carol chi-wa Chung
Categories Bread
Time 9h40m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Mix together pork, barbecue sauce, shallots, flour, chicken stock, soy sauce, oil, and sugar. Chill in refrigerator for at least 6 hours.
- Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Cook the pork until an instant-read meat thermometer reaches 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Allow to cool; shred or finely chop the meat.
- Prepare dough for Chinese Steamed Buns (see footnote).
- Shape dough into balls. Roll each out into a circle, (like won-ton wrappers). Put 1 tablespoonful of prepared meat mixture in the center of each circle, and wrap dough around filling. Place seam-side down onto wax paper squares. Let stand until doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Bring water to a boil in wok, and reduce heat to medium; the water should still be boiling. Place steam-plate on a small wire rack in the middle of the wok. Transfer as many buns on wax paper as will comfortably fit onto steam-plate, leaving 1 to 2 inches between the buns. At least 2 inches space should be left between steam-plate and the wok. Cover wok with lid. Steam buns over boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes.
- REMOVE LID BEFORE you turn off heat, or else water will drip back onto bun surface and produce yellowish "blisters" on bun surfaces. Continue steaming batches of buns until all are cooked.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 28.1 calories, Carbohydrate 2.7 g, Cholesterol 4.4 mg, Fat 1.1 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 109.4 mg, Sugar 1.9 g
CHINESE STEAMED BUNS WITH MEAT FILLING
This Chinese Steamed Bun recipe has a meat and vegetable filling. The filling is best if allowed to rest in the refrigerator overnight. Use meat that is half fat and half flesh for the most tender filling. A wok equipped with a stainless steel steam plate, a plate with holes to allow steam to pass, is required to make these tasty buns.
Provided by Carol chi-wa Chung
Categories Main Dish Recipes Dumpling Recipes
Time 4h
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook chopped pork in a wok over medium heat. After 3 minutes of cooking add chopped shrimp if desired. Cook until pork is no longer pink. Drain, season with salt and set aside to cool.
- Mix together green onions, ginger, soy sauce, rice wine, oil, sugar, and pepper. Stir in minced meat. Stir in water and mix thoroughly. Chill in freezer for 2 hours, or in refrigerator overnight to firm up and blend flavors.
- Prepare dough for Chinese Steamed Buns.
- Shape dough into balls. Roll each out into a circle, (like Won-Ton wrappers). Put 1 tablespoonful of prepared meat mixture in the center of each circle, and wrap dough around filling. Place seams down onto wax paper squares. Let stand until doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Bring water to a boil in wok, and reduce heat to medium; the water should still be boiling. Place steam-plate on a small wire rack in the middle of the wok. Transfer as many buns on wax paper as will comfortably fit onto steam-plate leaving 1 to 2 inches between the buns. At least 2 inches space should be left between steam-plate and the wok. Cover wok with lid. Steam buns over boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes.
- REMOVE LID BEFORE you turn off heat, or else water will drip back onto bun surface and produce yellowish "blisters" on bun surfaces. Continue steaming batches of buns until all are cooked.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 32.9 calories, Carbohydrate 0.8 g, Cholesterol 14 mg, Fat 1.8 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 131.9 mg, Sugar 0.6 g
CHINESE STEAMED BUNS
Here's some yummy, Chinese dim sum you can make, either plain without meat fillings, or with meat fillings. A wok equipped with a stainless steel steam plate, a plate with holes to allow steam to pass, is required to make these tasty buns. You may use milk in place of the warm water if you wish.
Provided by Carol chi-wa Chung
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes
Time 4h
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix together yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and 1/4 cup warm water. Allow to stand for 30 minutes.
- Mix in 1/2 cup warm water, flour, salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, and vegetable oil. Knead until dough surface is smooth and elastic. Roll over in a greased bowl, and let stand until triple in size, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
- Punch down dough, and spread out on a floured board. Sprinkle baking powder evenly on surface, and knead for 5 minutes. Divide dough into 2 parts, and place the piece you are not working with in a covered bowl. Divide each half into 12 parts. Shape each part into a ball with smooth surface up. Put each ball on a wax paper square. Let stand covered until double, about 30 minutes.
- Bring water to a boil in wok, and reduce heat to medium; the water should still be boiling. Place steam-plate on a small wire rack in the middle of the wok. Transfer as many buns on wax paper as will comfortably fit onto steam-plate leaving 1 to 2 inches between the buns. At least 2 inches space should be left between steam-plate and the wok. Cover wok with lid. Steam buns over boiling water for 15 minutes.
- REMOVE LID BEFORE you turn off heat, or else water will drip back onto bun surface and produce yellowish "blisters" on bun surfaces. Continue steaming batches of buns until all are cooked.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 44.4 calories, Carbohydrate 8.4 g, Fat 0.7 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 35 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
CHINESE STEAMED BUNS WITH BARBECUED PORK FILLING
My sister-in law is Chinese and this is one of her most delicious Dim Sum recipes. It's Chinese name is Char Siu Bao, takes a little effort but is extremely worth it. Barbequed pork can be found in Asian markets, or often in the supermarket deli section.
Provided by Sneakyteaky
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese
Time 3h15m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Place the warm water in a large bowl, and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Stir in 1 cup of the flour, and mix thoroughly. Cover with a cloth, and let stand until bubbles appear, about 20 minutes.
- Dissolve sugar and shortening in boiling water, and allow to cool to lukewarm. Stir into the yeast mixture along with the remaining flour. When the dough becomes too stiff to stir, turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth, about 10 minutes. Coat a large bowl with sesame oil, and place the dough inside. Turn over to coat, and cover the bowl with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add green onions and garlic, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Add pork, and fry for a minute, then stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Dissolve cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water, then stir the mixture into the pork. Cook, stirring constantly until the pork is coated with a thickened glaze. Remove to a bowl, and allow to cool.
- Remove the dough from the bowl, and roll it out into one long log. Slice the log into 1 inch pieces. Flatten each piece into a 3 inch circle using the palm of your hand or a rolling pin. Place 2 tablespoons of the pork filling onto the center of each circle, and gather up the edges around the filling and pinch together to close the bun. Place each bun seam side down onto a square of aluminum foil. Cover with a towel, and let rise for about 1 hour.
- Bring a couple inches of water to boil in a wok. Place a few buns at a time in a steamer, such as a bamboo steamer for a wok, or a fitted steam tray. Cover, and steam buns over briskly boiling water for 10 minutes. Repeat with remaining buns.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 142.2 calories, Carbohydrate 21.1 g, Cholesterol 6.9 mg, Fat 4 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 90.5 mg, Sugar 2.7 g
Tips:
- Always use active dry yeast. If using instant yeast, you do not need to proof the yeast before using it.
- Make sure to proof the yeast in warm water (110-115°F). If the water is too hot, it will kill the yeast. If the water is too cold, the yeast will not activate properly.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. If the dough is rising in a cool place, it may take longer to rise.
- When steaming the buns, use a bamboo steamer or other heat-resistant steamer. Do not overcrowd the steamer, or the buns will not cook evenly.
- Steam the buns for 10-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the buns, or they will become tough.
- You can fill the steamed buns with your favorite fillings, such as pork, chicken, vegetables, or sweet bean paste.
Conclusion:
Steamed buns are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are easy to make and can be filled with a variety of fillings. Steamed buns are also a good source of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. So, next time you're looking for a tasty and healthy meal, try making steamed buns!
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