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Ultimate Chicken and Vegetarian Steamed Buns Recipe

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★★★★

4 from 25 reviews

This recipe for Amazing Ultimate Buns offers a deliciously soft steamed bun filled with your choice of flavorful ground chicken or a savory vegetarian filling with tofu or mushrooms. The dough is tender and light, while the fillings are infused with Asian-inspired seasonings such as ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Perfect for a tasty appetizer, snack, or main dish, these buns are steamed to perfection and boast a wonderful balance of texture and taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp instant dry yeast
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Chicken Filling

  • 12 oz ground chicken (lightly seasoned with salt & pepper)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 inch fresh ginger (grated)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • ¼ cup finely chopped scallions
  • Optional: 1 tbsp chili bean paste or sriracha for heat

Vegetarian Filling

  • 10 oz firm tofu or mushrooms (shiitake or oyster, finely chopped)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 inch ginger (minced)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp shredded carrots
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped napa cabbage or bean sprouts
  • 2 tbsp chopped scallions

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Mix the warm water and vegetable oil, then pour the liquid into the dry ingredients. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Lightly oil the bowl, place the dough inside, cover it with a damp cloth, and allow it to rise for about 45 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
  2. Make the Chicken Filling: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil. Sauté the minced garlic and grated ginger until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up continuously, until it is no longer pink. Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and scallions. Cook for another minute to combine flavors, then remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  3. Make the Vegetarian Filling: In a medium skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic and ginger until aromatic. Add the tofu or chopped mushrooms and cook until they begin to brown. Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. Stir in the shredded carrots, napa cabbage or bean sprouts, and chopped scallions. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool.
  4. Shape the Buns: Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and knead briefly. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 3 to 4 inch circle, making the center slightly thicker than the edges. Place a heaping tablespoon of your chosen filling in the center. Bring the edges together in pleats, pinching tightly at the top to seal. Slightly flatten the bottom to create stability, then place each bun on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Second Rise: Cover the shaped buns loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for 15 to 20 minutes until they become puffy.
  6. Steam the Buns: Prepare a steamer by bringing about an inch of water to simmer. Place the buns inside the steamer, ensuring there is space between them to prevent sticking. Line the steamer with parchment paper if necessary. Steam the buns for 10 minutes, then keep the lid on for an additional 2 minutes after cooking to prevent the buns from collapsing. If steaming in batches, repeat until all buns are cooked.

Notes

  • The dough should be kneaded until smooth and elastic to ensure a soft, fluffy texture in the steamed buns.
  • You can customize the filling to be either meat-based or vegetarian according to preference.
  • Be sure not to open the steamer lid during steaming to prevent the buns from collapsing.
  • If desired, add chili bean paste or sriracha to the chicken filling for a spicy kick.
  • The buns are best served warm and can be accompanied by dipping sauces such as soy sauce or chili sauce.
  • Leftover buns can be refrigerated and reheated by steaming gently.

Keywords: steamed buns, chicken buns, vegetarian buns, Asian steamed buns, homemade buns, soft bao, tofu buns, mushroom buns, savory buns

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/ultimate-chicken-and-vegetarian-steamed-buns-recipe/