Siopao (Filipino Steamed Dumplings)

Warning - this recipe is not easy, but well worth the effort. This is a Filipino dish with Chinese roots. A steamed, almost sweet, yeasty bun filled with delicious chicken filling can also be made with shredded pork. You will need a bamboo steamer.

Step: 1

Dissolve yeast in the water; stir in the sugar and beat in 2 1/2 cups of rice flour to make a soft sponge. Set aside in a warm place to double in bulk, about 40 minutes. Mix in 2 more cups of rice flour and 1/4 cup of shortening and place the dough on a greased work surface; knead in the remaining 1/4 cup of shortening to make a smooth dough. Cut the dough into 15 equal-sized pieces; form each piece into a ball.

Step: 2

Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir the onion and garlic in the hot oil until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken, soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of sugar, green onion, salt, and pepper. If the mixture is juicy, add cornstarch to thicken.

Step: 3

Working on a lightly greased work surface, flatten a dough ball into a circle about 4 inches in diameter with the heel of your hand. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling into the center of the dough ball, bring the edges of the dough together at the top, and pinch and twist to seal in the filling. Place each filled dumpling onto waxed paper with the pinched seal at the bottom while you finish the rest of the dumplings.

Step: 4

Spray a multi-layered bamboo steamer with cooking spray, place the steamer on top of a large saucepan, and pour in water to several inches below the steamer. Bring the water to a boil.

Step: 5

Working in several batches, place 3 or 4 filled buns into each steamer layer without letting the buns touch each other or the edge of the steamer, cover the steamer, and let the buns steam over medium-low heat until puffy and the dough is springy, about 15 minutes per batch. Serve warm.

Per Serving: 346 calories; protein 16g; carbohydrates 43.9g; fat 11.2g; cholesterol 34mg; sodium 270mg.

Prepare your meal in advance can be best to feel enjoyable that you do it with your likely music in the yard , a soothing beverage of your pick or even a partner. It is helpful to write every step required to create the food , which may include everything from your tools and utensils to your processing menu . Be sure to checkdown the ingredients in the process of it , so as not to forget one . A handwritten list is typically best.

Bought the right cooking tools is just as one most required as having the right dishes menu . This includes all of from pots, pans, bowls and utensils to those core of items that are easy to forget, like as parchment paper and foil. Items like squeeze bottles for adding the perfect drizzle or sprinkle items to your main food and long tweezers to arrange smaller and thinner dish are a likely for all of home chef.