Bao Beef Buns Recipes

PULLED BEEF BAO BUNS RECIPE

Steps:

• Make the filling: Preheat the oven to (325°F) 160°C.Season the meat with salt and pepper generously on all sides. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet. Brown the joint on all sides over high heat and transfer to a large ovenproof dish.In the same pan heat 2 tablespoons of oil and sauté onions for 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.Add the onions and garlic to the meat, add beef stock, sugar/honey, soy sauce, BBQ sauce and ginger. Cover with an oven proof lid or a foil and bake for 3-4 hours, until the beef is very tender. Open the lid every hour and turn over the beef.Transfer the beef to a clean chopping board and `pull' the cooked beef apart by securing the joint with a fork and shredding the meat with another fork. Place the pulled beef back into the dish and bake, uncovered for 15-20 minutes (this step is optional).Make the buns: in a large bowl or in a bowl of a stand mixer place flour, yeast, sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix. Add milk and oil, whisk until dough is formed. Knead the dough for about 7-8 minutes.Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about one hour.Once the dough has doubled in size, punch the dough gently to resale air bubbles and knead for 1 minute.Roll out the dough into 1/4-inch (1/2cm) thick. Then, using a cookie cutter or a glass, cut 3½-inch (9cm) circles. Gently roll the circle to an ovel shape, then lightly brush the dough with oil and fold. Gently roll/press the buns over the top. Take the leftover dough and repeat the process.Place the buns on a parchment paper squares. Then place the buns in the steamer. Cover and let rise for 20-30 minutes.Cook the buns: in a large pan or a wok bring water to a boil. Place the steamer in the pan with the boiling water and cover with a lid. Steam the bao buns for 10 minutes, then turn the heat off and leave the buns in the steamer, covered for 2-3 minutes.Make pickled veggies (optional): in a small saucepan heat water, vinegar, sugar, salt, until the sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool, then pour the liquid over the veggies, seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. I would recommend making this step a day ahead. Frequently asked questions:WHAT IS THE BEST BEEF FOR PULLED/SHREEDED BEEF?When it comes to slow cooker meat, there is no need to buy expensive meat cuts. The most popular meat cuts for slow cooker pulled beef are brisket, flank, skirt, chuck roast. My best tip for you is to ask your butcher what for the recipe you are planning to make.HOW TO MAKE THE BEST STEAMED BAO BUNS?Steamed buns may seem like a complicated recipe to execute, but it much easier than you think. Before you start, make sure you read the recipe from beginning to end. Prepare your steamer. You can buy a high-quality bamboo steamer here: bamboo steamer. Make sure you are using parchment paper. Do not over proof the buns un the second proofing. Usually 20 minutes is enough (depends on room temperature). Wrap the lid with kitchen towel to prevent from dripping over the buns.HOW TO STORE STEAMED BUNS?Steam the buns, then let them cool completely. Placed cooled buns on a baking sheet and transfer to the freezer for 1 hour. After one hour they should harden slightly. Place then in a freezer container or a bag and store in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to serve steam the buns for 4-5 minutes and serve.

BAO BEEF BUNS

Steps:

• Chop or shred pot roast; place in large microwave-safe dish. Cover, vent and microwave until heated through, stirring occasionally. Stir in spinach and hoisin sauce. Microwave until sauce is thickened and beef is coated with sauce. Set aside.
• Cut parchment paper to line basket of stove-top steamer, cutting hole in center as needed. Add water to steamer, making sure water level is below basket. Bring water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, place biscuit dough pieces on cutting board. Flatten each piece of dough into 3-inch square, extending corners; press corners onto board with thumbs. Place about 1 tablespoon of beef mixture in center of dough square. Bring two opposite corners up and over filling and pinch together; bring remaining two corners up and over filling, pinching all seams and corners together to form square bun. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Turn buns over until ready to cook. Place buns into steam basket in batches, keeping at least 2 inches apart. Cover and steam 7 minutes or until dough reaches temperature of 190°F and the filling is 165°F. Gently remove buns from basket with long handled tongs; cool. Repeat until all buns are steamed. Serve bao buns with sauce as desired.

BAO: ASIAN STEAMED BEEF BUNS

Steps:

• Whisk together water, yeast and sugar. Set aside for 4-5 minutes until yeast has bloomed and bubbles form.
• Meanwhile, sift together 1 1/3 cup flour, baking soda, salt, and ginger in a large bowl. Add oil and vinegar to yeast mixture.
• Pour yeast mixture into flour mixture. First , use wooden spoon to mix dough and then knead by hand for about 4-7 minutes. If dough is sticky, add additional flour about 1 tbsp at a time. Dough should be smooth and elastic. Place dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow dough to double in size about 1-1/2 hours.
• When risen, punch dough down and form into a long rope about 2 inches wide. Cut dough into pieces about 2 inches long. There should be about 10-12 pieces. Cover pieces with plastic wrap so dough will not dry out.
• Place ground beef and the rest of the filling ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly to combine. Place filling in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes.
• Stir soy sauce, vinegar, and honey together. Add sliced garlic and ginger. Top with sesame seeds.
• Take a piece of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten dough ball with the palm of your hand onto a floured surface. Use a rolling pin to flatten dough circle, rolling from the center of the circle out to the edges of the circle so that the edge are slightly thinner than the center. The dough should not have any parts that you can see through, The circle should be around 2.5-3 inches in diameter.
• Place 2 tbsp of filling in the center of the dough circle. Pinch and pleat the edges of dough around and over the filling. Bring all edges together and pinch at the top, then rotate the bottom of bun to create a swirl or twist at the top of the bun.
• Fill a pot with 1-2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Place a bamboo steamer/ steamer basket lined with parchment paper over the boiling water. (See note.) Place buns in a steamer basket lined and cover. Lower flame to medium/high heat. Steam for 12 minutes.
• Serve hot with dipping sauce. Enjoy!

"ZHAJIANG" BAO (SPICY SHRIMP AND GROUND BEEF BUNS)

Steps:

• For the spicy shrimp and ground beef buns: Combine the shrimp and dried mushrooms in a bowl and pour 1 cup boiling water over to cover. Let stand at least 10 minutes, and then drain, reserving the liquid, and finely chop.
• Heat a wok over medium-high heat and add the peanut oil. Add the shrimp, mushrooms, bacon and shallots and fry, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the ground beef, breaking the meat up with a spatula and cooking until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the bamboo shoots, jalapenos and green peppers and toss 1 to 2 minutes. Drizzle in about 1/2 cup of the mushroom soaking liquid along with the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and rice wine and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened and glossy, about 1 minute. Season with the white pepper.
• To serve, spoon about 1/2 cup of the mixture (depending on the bun size) onto each bun and garnish with the cornichons, a drizzle of chili oil, if using, and the cilantro. Sprinkle the peanuts with sugar, if using, over the top of each bao and serve immediately.