Chinese Roast Chicken Buns Bao Recipes

GONG BAO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix the chicken pieces, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice wine, and all of the cornflour together in a bowl. Cover and transfer to the fridge to marinate for at least 30 mins.
• In another bowl, stir together the remaining soy sauce and rice wine, the vinegar, sugar and chilli bean paste until the mixture is smooth.
• Slice the green parts of the spring onions lengthways into thin strips. Trim and chop the white ends into thin slices, then put in a small bowl with the ginger and garlic.
• Heat the groundnut oil in a wok set over a high heat, then add the chillies and ground peppercorns and stir-fry until the chillies have darkened slightly (be careful not to burn them). Add the marinated chicken pieces and continue to stir-fry for 5-8 mins, or until the chicken has browned. Add the spring onion and ginger mixture and stir-fry until the meat is just cooked through. Add the vinegar mixture and toss to combine, then stir through the green parts of the spring onions, the sesame oil and peanuts. Serve with boiled rice.

CHINESE PORK BUNS (CHA SIU BAO)

Steps:

• Dissolve 1/4 cup sugar in 1 3/4 cups warm water, and then add the yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until mixture is frothy. Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons shortening and the yeast mixture; mix well.
• Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, and cover it with a sheet of cling wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until it has tripled in bulk.
• Cut the pork into 2 inch thick strips. Use fork to prick it all over. Marinate for 5 hours in a mixture made with 1 1/2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, and 1 teaspoon sweet soy sauce. Grill the pork until cooked and charred. Cut roasted port into 1/2 inch cubes.
• Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Mix cornstarch with 2 1/2 tablespoons water; add to the saucepan, and stir until thickened. Mix in 2 tablespoons lard or shortening, sesame oil, and white pepper. Cool, and mix in the roasted pork.
• Remove the dough from the bowl, and knead it on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic. Roll the dough into a long roll, and divide it into 24 pieces. Flatten each piece with the palm of the hand to form a thin circle. The center of the circle should be thicker than the edge. Place one portion of the pork filling in the center of each dough circle. Wrap the dough to enclose the filling. Pinch edges to form the bun. Let the buns stand for 10 minutes.
• Steam buns for 12 minutes. Serve.