Sheng Jian Bao: Pan-fried pork buns (生煎包)

• portions: 20 servings
• temps actif: 20 minutes
• temps total: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingrédients

250 g all-purpose flour (about 2 cups (see note 1)

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon dried instant yeast (see note 2)

140 ml lukewarm water (about 9 tbsp)

250 g minced pork (9oz)

2 tablespoon spring onion (finely chopped)

1/2 tablespoon ginger (minced)

2 teaspoon light soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon Shaoxing rice wine

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 pinch ground Sichuan pepper (or Chinese five-spice powder)

5 tablespoon water (or chicken stock)

1 tablespoon cooking oil

240 ml water (about 1 cup)

Toasted sesame seeds

Spring onion (finely chopped)

Instructions

Prepare the dough

In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast and sugar. Pour in water little by little while stirring with a pair of chopsticks (or a fork).

Then knead with your hand until a smooth, elastic dough forms (see note 3). Cover the bowl with a wet kitchen towel.

Leave to rise in a warm place until double in size. It will take between 40 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the room temperature.

Mix the filling

Put all the ingredients for the filling (except for water/stock) into a large bowl.

Swirl constantly in the same direction while gradually adding water/stock spoon by spoon into the mixture.

Shape the buns

Knead the dough on a floured work surface until it goes back to its original size.

Divide it into 20 equal portions. Roll each piece into a disk-like wrapper.

Hold the wrapper in the palm of one hand. Place some filling in the middle. Use the other hand to fold the edge anticlockwise by pinching with thumb and index finger until the bun is completely sealed (please refer to the images above).

Leave to rest for 15 minutes before frying.

Fry the buns

Heat up oil in a frying pan over a high heat. Place in the buns (see note 4 & 5).

When the bottom part becomes golden brown, pour in water then cover with a lid.

Uncover when the water evaporates completely. Sprinkle sesame seeds and spring onion over.

Cook another 30 seconds or so to crisp up.

Nutrition

• Taille de Portion: 5 buns
• Calories: 406 kcal