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.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 45 mins
• Yields: 16 buns

Ingredients

• Dough

• 1⁄3 cup warm water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 (1/4ounce) package dry yeast
• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1⁄2 cups cake flour
• 4  tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  tablespoons shortening
• 1 1⁄4 cups milk
• 16  pieces  wax paper, cut to 2 inches square

• Filling

• 6  ounces Chinese barbecue pork, diced (you can make your own, try Chinese BBQ Pork, or simply pick some up from your local chinese restaurant)
• 1  tablespoon  vegetable oil
• 2  teaspoons water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon thin soy sauce
• 1  teaspoon oyster sauce
• 1  teaspoon hoisin sauce
• 2  teaspoons cornstarch
• 4  teaspoons cold water

Directions

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. Cover with a damp cloth and set dough in a warm place. Allow the dough to rise for 3 hours.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Steam for 25 minutes.