Steamed Buns

Ingredients:

For the dough:
3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon (4 grams) active dry yeast
1 tablespoon (12 grams) granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups (350 ml) warm water (105-115°F)
1 tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil
For steaming:
Water

Instructions:

1. Make the dough:
   1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and sugar.
   2. Gradually add the warm water, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
   3. Add the vegetable oil and knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
   4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Shape the buns:
   1. Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
   2. Shape each piece of dough into a round ball.
   3. Place the buns on a parchment-lined steamer basket, leaving about 1 inch of space between each bun.
   4. Cover the steamer basket with a lid.
3. Steam the buns:
   1. Fill a pot with enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer basket without touching the buns.
   2. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
   3. Once the water is boiling, carefully place the steamer basket in the pot.
   4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and steam the buns for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
4. Serve:
   1. Remove the steamer basket from the pot and let the buns rest for 5 minutes before serving.
   2. Enjoy the buns warm with your favorite fillings.

Tips:

For softer buns, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour.
For a richer flavor, add a tablespoon of milk or butter to the dough.
You can also add a variety of spices to the dough, such as cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg.
Get creative with your fillings! Some popular fillings include pork, vegetables, and sweet bean paste.
To check if the buns are cooked through, insert a skewer into the center of a bun. If the skewer comes out clean, the buns are done.
If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can steam the buns in a colander. Simply place the colander in a pot of boiling water, making sure the bottom of the colander is not touching the water. Cover the pot and steam the buns for the same amount of time.

I hope you enjoy this recipe!