Basic Steamed or Baked Buns

Servings: 12

Ingredients

Yeast Mix

2

tablespoons

active dry yeast

2

teaspoons

sugar

1/2

cup

all-purpose flour

1/2

cup

water

Dough Mix

1

cup

warm water

3

cups

all-purpose flour

1/2

teaspoon

salt

4

tablespoons

white sugar

2

tablespoons

vegetable oil

1

teaspoon

baking powder

Procedure

Preparation

Yeast Mix

Mix all yeast mix ingredientd in a large mixing bowl.

Let stand for 30 minutes.

Dough Mix

Mix other ingredients except baking powder into the bowl in the following order –

warm water

flour

salt

sugar

vegetable oil

Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.

Lightly oil the entire surface and let stand until triple in size (2 1/2 to 3 hours).

Turn dough out on a floured board and punch down.

Sprinkle baking powder evenly on surface, then knead for about 5 minutes.

Divide dough into 2 parts.

Place one piece into bowl and cover.

Divide the first section into 12 parts.

At this point you may add any desired filling or continue with unfilled buns.

[To add filling – Flatten each section in the palm of your hand. Place one tablespoon of filling in the center and form dough into a ball around the filling.]

Lightly roll each part into a ball.

Put each ball on a wax or parchment paper square.

Cover and let stand until doubled (about 30 minutes).

Repeat with the rest of the dough.

Cooking

Steaming

Place water in a steamer and bring to a rapid boil.

Reduce heat to medium.

Place a single layer of dough balls (with wax/parchment squares) into steamer tray about 1 inch apart.

Cover and steam for roughly 15 minutes.

Remove cover before turning off heat and transfer buns to a serving plate/tray.

Repeat until all buns are cooked.

Serve warm.

Baking

Preheat oven to 350º.

Place buns on a lightly oiled baking pan.

Bake at 350º for 15 to 18 minutes (until golden brown).

Serve warm.