Shandong-style Steamed Buns

Ingredients

While the original British Barm Cake is typically made with a simple bread dough and filled with various ingredients, the Shandong-style Steamed Buns incorporate the flavors and spices of Shandong cuisine. The filling of marinated pork, ginger, garlic, and Shandong spices adds a distinct and aromatic taste to the buns, elevating them to a whole new level of flavor. We alse have the original recipe for Barm Cake, so you can check it out.

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
• 10g (2 tsp) sugar 10g (2 tsp) sugar
• 5g (1 tsp) salt 5g (1 tsp) salt
• 250ml (1 cup) warm water 250ml (1 cup) warm water
• 300g (10.5 oz) pork, minced 300g (10.5 oz) pork, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Shandong five spice powder 1 tsp Shandong five spice powder
• 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 green onion, finely chopped 1 green onion, finely chopped

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Gradually add warm water while kneading until a smooth dough forms. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the minced pork, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, ginger, garlic, Shandong five spice powder, sesame oil, and green onion. Allow the mixture to marinate for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   After the dough has risen, divide it into small portions and flatten each portion into a circle. Place a spoonful of the pork filling in the center of each circle and gather the edges to seal the bun.
4. 4.
   Arrange the filled buns on a steamer lined with parchment paper. Cover the steamer and let the buns rise for an additional 30 minutes.
5. 5.
   Steam the buns over high heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the buns are cooked through and the filling is tender.
6. 6.
   Serve the Shandong-style Steamed Buns hot and enjoy their delightful combination of flavors.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork — Make sure to use lean minced pork for a healthier option.
• Shandong five spice powder — If you can't find Shandong five spice powder, you can substitute it with a combination of ground star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a fluffy texture, make sure the dough rises in a warm place.
• Experiment with different fillings such as chicken, beef, or vegetarian options to suit your taste preferences.
• Serve the buns with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil for an extra kick of flavor.
• Leftover buns can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated by steaming for a few minutes.

Serving advice

Serve the Shandong-style Steamed Buns as a main course or as part of a dim sum feast. They are best enjoyed hot and fresh.

Presentation advice

Arrange the steamed buns on a bamboo steamer lined with parchment paper for an authentic presentation. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions for a pop of color.