Let's make Steamed Buns (Siopao)

Siopao are steamed buns filled with sweet meat fillings, it could be pork or chicken. This snack is popular in the Philippines. It is sold mostly in restaurants or in the street. Its similar to the chinese steamed buns called Char siu Bao. There are two types of meat filling one is Asado, (which i am going to make today), and the other is Bola-bola, (which is ground meat that make as meatballs). Both are delicious, sweet and salty.

Siopao is a good to go snacks and best to eat it while warm. I think everyone in the Philippines love it. I always used to eat Siopao as my midnight snacks while on duty before. : )

Ingredients:

For the Dough

• All purpose flour (3 cups)
• sugar (1/3 cup)
• baking powder (1/2 tspn)
• vegetable oil or shortening (3 tbspn)
• instant dried yeast (1 pouch)
• salt (1/2 tspn)

1. combine all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder), and stir in.
2. mix the warm water with the instant dried yeast and let it rest for few minutes.
3. in a floured surface, lay the dry ingredients, make a well at the center and add in the wet mixture, vegetable oil and salt.
4. knead for 8-10 minutes or until the dough creates smooth, paste like consistency.
5. cover the dough and let it rise for about an hour.

For the Filling, We are making Chicken Asado

• garlic
• onion
• chicken (cut in 1 inch)
• bay leaves (3)
• star anise (4)
• soy sauce (3 tbspn)
• brown sugar (2-3 tbspn)
• water (2 cups)

1. sautee garlic and onion till soft.
2. add in the chicken, and cook until brown in color.
3. add the water, brown sugar and soy sauce. let it boil.
4. add the bay leaves and star anise and simmer for 30 minutes.

Preparations:

1. once the dough rise, In a floured surface, punch it down to deflate some of the air.
2. form a log like shapes and cut it in to 8 -10 pieces
3. form in to a ball and flattens it out using a rolling pin, about 5 inches.
4. add in a tablespoon of the meat filling at the center.
5. gather the edge of the dough and go around pinching them one at a time until it reaches the end.
6. pinch and twist to seal the end.
7. put a parchment or wax paper at the bottom of the buns.
8. put it in steamer and steam for 15 - 20 minutes. leave a few inches apart from each other as the buns will increase in size.

It can be quiet tricky for me closing the ends of the dough, I need more practice for this : )

I bet many missed Siopao . What is your Favorite Siopao filling?
Your feedback is always welcome.

Happy snacking. Thank you.

Steem on!

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