Steamed Buns with Cured Ham
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon solid vegetable shortening
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Asian sesame oil, for brushing
- 1 pound sliced ham or Chinese roast pork, or 1 1/2 Chinese roast ducks, sliced crosswise 1/3 inch thick
- 2 large scallions, julienned
- Hoisin sauce (optional)
- In a medium bowl, combine the water with the sugar and yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, sift the flour into a large bowl.
- Using a pastry blender, cut in the shortening.
- Add the baking powder to the yeast mixture, then stir it into the flour.
- Scrape the dough out onto a work surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
- Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until tripled in bulk, about 2 hours.
- Lightly oil a large baking sheet.
- Punch down the dough and divide it in half.
- Cover half of the dough with plastic wrap.
- Roll the other half into a cylinder about 1 inch in diameter.
- Cut the cylinder into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
- Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a 4-inch round about 1/8 inch thick.
- Brush the rounds with sesame oil, fold in half and transfer to the baking sheet.
- Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Cover the baking sheet loosely with plastic wrap and let the buns rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
- Generously oil the bottom of a triple-tiered bamboo steamer.
- Bring 2 inches of water to a boil in a wok.
- Arrange the buns in the steamer without crowding, set over the boiling water and steam until puffy and cooked, about 5 minutes.
- Alternatively, oil the basket of a single-layer metal steamer and steam the buns in batches.
- Immediately transfer the buns to a platter and cover with a tea towel.
- Serve hot.
- Let your guests split the buns and fill them with the meat and scallions.
- Pass the hoisin sauce separately.
water, sugar, active dry yeast, allpurpose, vegetable shortening, baking powder, sesame oil, ham, scallions, hoisin sauce
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/steamed-buns-with-cured-ham (may not work)