Addie staff in the Kitchen: Steamed buns and dim sum
Today’s recipe is for steamed buns and dim sum.
Bamboo steamer
The steamed buns are cooked before being opened and filling inserted while the dim sum have the filling placed inside a dough parcel before it is cooked.
Both are cooked in a bamboo steamer available from shops selling specialised kitchen cookware.
STEP 2: Mix yeast, 1tsp sugar, ¼ cup flour and ¼ cup warm water. Allow to stand for 30 minutes.
STEP 3: Mix ½ cup warm water, flour, salt, 2 tbsp sugar and vegetable oil to STEP 1 mixture. Roll over in a greased bowl and let it stand for about 3 hours until it rises to triple the size.
STEP 4: Remove dough from bowl and, on a floured surface, punch down and sprinkle baking powder evenly on surface and knead for 5 minutes.STEP 5: Divide dough into two parts and divide each into 8 to 10 parts (depending on how big you want your steamed buns or Dim sum) . Shape each piece into a ball and lay on a greased tray. Let them stand, covered with a tea towel, for 30 minutes until they have risen to double their size.STEP 6: On a floured surface roll each ball into a flat roundish disk.STEP 7: Using a cookie cutter or glass, cut your dough into a circle.STEP 8: For steamed buns simply fold your circle of dough in half. You will put the filling into these after the buns are cooked.STEP 9: Dim sum are small parcels containing filling which is inserted before the dough is cooked. To make these put a little filling in the centre of your dough disk. Using the tip of your finger wet half the circle with a small amount of water. This will make one side stick to the other in the next step.STEP 10: Fold you dough in half over the filling which will now be encased. Pinch the edges around your semi-circle closed.
STEP 11: If you have completed step 10 correctly your crescent will stand without flopping over.
STEP 12: Bring the pointed and together and press to secure.
This is what your buns and dim sum will look like once they have been steamed.STEP 15: Place filling in your steamed bun and enjoy.
