Chinese steamed buns, known as "bao" or "baozi," are soft, pillowy dumplings traditionally filled with a variety of ingredients. They can be made with different types of fillings, including meats (like pork or chicken), vegetables, or sweet pastes like red bean. The dough is typically made from flour, water, sugar, and yeast, which is allowed to rise before being molded into small rounds. The buns are then filled, shaped, and steamed, resulting in a fluffy texture. They're often enjoyed as street food or dim sum, served with soy sauce or other dipping sauces. Variations such as "char siu bao" feature Cantonese barbecue pork as a popular filling, while "sheng jian bao" are pan-fried buns that have a crispy bottom. They're a beloved staple in Chinese cuisine, perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own!

Chinese steamed buns in the photo.

Here's a simple recipe for making Chinese steamed buns (baozi) at home:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• A pinch of salt

For the Filling (Pork or Vegetarian):

• Pork Filling:

  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Vegetarian Filling:

  • 1 cup finely chopped mushrooms
  • 1 cup shredded cabbage
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough:

   • In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and baking powder. Mix well.
   • Gradually add warm water and vegetable oil to the flour mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
   • Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Filling:

   • For Pork Filling: In a bowl, combine ground pork, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, ginger, green onions, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
   • For Vegetarian Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté mushrooms and cabbage with soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, salt, and pepper until softened. Allow to cool.

3. Shape the Buns:

   • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
   • Roll each piece into a ball and flatten it into a round disc (about 4 inches in diameter).
   • Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each disc. Gather the edges and pleat to seal the bun tightly.

4. Steam the Buns:

   • Line a steamer basket with parchment paper and place the buns inside, allowing some space between them for expansion.
   • Bring water to a boil in a steamer pot. Steam the buns over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes.

5. Serve:

   • Remove the buns from the steamer and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm with soy sauce or dipping sauce of your choice!

Enjoy your homemade Chinese steamed buns!