Siopao Recipes

SIOPAO ASADO

Steps:

• In a pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
• Add pork and cook, turning as needed, until lightly browned.
• Add 2 cups of the water, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and star anise. Stir until well-dispersed. Bring to a boil, skimming scum that may float on top.
• Lower heat, cover, and continue to cook for about 1 hour or until meat is fork-tender. Add more water in half cup increments as needed to maintain 1 1 /2 cups liquid.
• With a slotted spoon, remove pork from the pot and let cool to touch. Using two forks, shred meat.
• Remove about 1 cup of the braising liquid and set aside. Return shredded meat to pot and bring to a boil.
• In a bowl, combine cornstarch and bout 1/4 cup water. Stir until smooth and cornstarch is dissolved. Add half of the cornstarch slurry to the pot of meat and stir to distribute. Continue to cook for about 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from pan and allow to cool.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the reserved 1 cup braising liquid and the remaining half of the cornstarch slurry. Bring to a boil, stirring regularly, for about 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened. This well be the siopao sauce.
• In a bowl, combine milk, yeast, the 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt. Stir well until dissolved. Let stand for about 5 to 10 minutes or until the mixture is foamy.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, the 100 grams sugar, baking powder, and vegetable oil. Mix well. Add a few drops of lime juice into the flour mixture.
• Add yeast mixture to the flour mixture. Mix together until it forms a dough. Continue to mix and knead until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.
• Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until double in size.
• Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a clean work surface, and form into a long log.
• With a knife, cut the dough into 10 equal size pieces and then form each piece into smaller balls. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise for about 30 minutes.
• On a clean working surface, place one piece of dough, and with a rolling pin, roll out into about 4 to 5-inch diameter, making sure to get edges thinner than the center.
• Place about a tablespoon of the meat filling in the center.
• Gather the edges of the dough, pleat around the filling, and twist to fully secure. Place bun on a piece of parchment or wax paper. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
• Arrange prepared buns in a single layer on a flat baking sheet, cover with a kitchen towel, and allow to rise again for another 10 minutes.
• In a steamer, place buns in a single layer, an inch-apart. Add about 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the steaming water (for whiter buns).
• Steam buns on low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes. Keep the lid on for about 3 to 5 minutes to prevent the buns from deflating.
• Remove from steamer and serve with the asado sauce.

HOW TO MAKE SIOPAO ASADO

Steps:

• Prepare the asado filling first. In a skillet, heat oil and saute garlic and onion.
• After the onions become transparent, add the sliced pork and stir fry until the pork becomes light brown.
• Then add in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce and sugar then stir cook then add 2 cups water and simmer for at least 45 minutes.
• Add in the diluted cornstarch and stir cook until the sauce becomes thick. Set aside.
• To make the dough, soften yeast and 2 tablespoon sugar in lukewarm water. Set aside for from 10 to 15 minutes.
• Mix together sugar, salt, and oil in a bowl. Add softened yeast. Add half of the flour and mix well. Add baking powder.
• Add remaining flour and continue mixing till well blended; knead on floured board until smooth.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Grease surface of dough.
• Cover with wet cloth and let rise for from 30 to 40 minutes in a warm place.
• Punch down dough, divide it into desired sizes, form into balls and let them rise again for 30 minutes.
• Flatten dough pieces with a rolling pin. Use spoon on prepared asado filling into the center.
• Wrap the filling by crimping the edges and seal the dough by twisting the top and shape into small balls.
• Place a piece of clean wax paper at the bottom of the balls to prevent them from sticking to the steamer.
• Let the balls rise for from 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours or until double in bulk.
• Steam for from 10 to 15 minutes or until cooked.

SIOPAO (FILIPINO STEAMED DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

SIOPAO

Steps:

• Mix flour, salt and baking powder in a medium bowl, set aside.
• In another bowl dissolve yeast in luke warm water then add 1 cup of the flour mixture.
• Mix thoroughly.
• Cover with a cloth and let rise 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, dissolve the white sugar in the boiling water.
• Stir well then let cool to luke warm.
• Pour into the yeast mixture, then add the rest of the prepared flour mixture.
• Stir to blend well.
• Grease a large bowl.
• Turn dough out onto a floured board and knead for 3 minutes-you want your dough smooth, not sticky.
• Place ball into bowl, turn once and cover with a damp cloth.
• Let rise 2 hours or until doubled.
• Meanwhile saute the garlic and onions in a small amount of oil in a wok.
• Add meat and stir fry for 1 minute or until meat is no longer pink.
• Add soy sauce, oyster sauce and brown sugar.
• Pour in the dissolved cornstarch and stir fry quickly until meat is glazed well.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Punch down dough and knead on a floured board for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Divide dough and roll each half into a 12x2 inch log.
• Cut each into 12 pieces, making 24.
• Roll each piece into a ball using your hands then rolling it flat into a 3 inch diameter circle.
• Dust with flour if needed to prevent sticking.
• If using, place 1 slice of egg into center of dough round, then 1 T.
• of filling with sauce.
• Gather sides of round, pinch together and twist.
• Place pinched side down on parchment paper and place in steamer.
• Repeat until done.
• Cover with a damp cloth and let rise for 1 hour.
• Steam Siopao for 20 minutes.
• You can freeze cooked Siopao, simply re-steam for 10 minutes.

SIOPAO (FILIPINO STEAMED BUNS)

Steps:

• Mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast together in a large bowl. Add water and 1/4 cup oil; mix into a dough. Knead until smooth and elastic, at least 10 minutes. Dust with extra flour if necessary.
• Warm up the oven for 1 minute. Turn oven off.
• Oil a large bowl; place dough inside and cover with cheesecloth. Place in the warmed oven until size has doubled, about 1 hour.
• Punch down dough. Keep in the oven until risen, at least 15 minutes more. Knead dough onto a flat work surface and divide into 12 golf-sized balls. Roll out each ball and fill with choice of filling (see footnote for my chicken and pork filling). Gather and twist the edges together to secure the filling.
• Place each siopao on a 3x3-inch piece of wax paper.
• Place siopao in a steamer and steam for 30 minutes.

SIOPAO PINOY STYLE DIM SUM

Steps:

• Preparations / Notes:.
• 1. You can make a Soy Sauce - Chili Pepper Oil Dip in advance if desired. See recipe below....
• 2. Make the siopao filling first and allow to cool to room temperature or refrigerate as it's easier to handle when cold.
• 3. Have a couple of damp towels on hand to cover dough during various parts of the recipe.
• 4. Move your rack to the lowest part of your oven to allow room for the bowl of dough to rise in a warm environment. Shortly before placing the dough in the oven, the instructions will ask you to preheat your oven on its lowest setting for 2 minutes, then turn the oven off.
• 5. It will take about an hour for the dough to rise.
• 6. Soak your bamboo steamers for 10 minutes in warm water, pat dry and lightly oil the bottom and sides before using to cook the Siopao.
• 7. Cut up 24 - 30, 2 inch square pieces of waxed paper prior to filling the dough balls with the siopao filling.
• 8. It is helpful to have a very small, oblong pastry rolling pin (flat in the middle, tapering ends), I had a larger oblong one that I made due with.
• 9. Restaurants and bakeries like to color code their siopao with small dots of food coloring to indicate the filling ingredients, i.e. chicken, pork, beef, etc. If you're making a variety of fillings and flavors, decide upon your color code and when the siopao is formed and placed on a oiled cookie sheet during the prep phase, paint your small dot to indicate filling. My chicken filling usually has no dot, pork filling red.
• Chili Pepper Oil Instructions:.
• Cut each scallion into 3-inch lengths.
• Smash ginger root with side of cleaver.
• Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Add scallions and ginger. Turn off heat immediately. After 5 minutes, discard the scallions and ginger. Cool for 5 more minutes.
• Place chili flakes in a bowl and ladle the cooled oil over them. Cover and leave over-night at room temperature. Strain oil and bottle it. Store the chili flakes in a covered jar. Both will keep indefinitely if refrigerated.
• Soy Sauce - Chili Pepper Oil Dip Instructions:.
• The soy sauce and chili pepper oil can be mixed in advance in these proportions, or left in separate containers to be mixed by your guests in the desired proportions.
• Siopao Filling instructions:.
• Heat the 3 tbsp of sesame oil in a wok at high heat. Using a spatula, coat the sides of the wok about half way up with the hot oil.
• Sauté the garlic and onion in sesame oil.
• Add the pork or chicken and stir-fry until lightly brown.
• Add the rest of the ingredients together in a small bowl, minus the eggs, then pour into the wok and stir-fry until it thickens. Add more soy, hoisin, oyster sauce or sugar to taste.
• Remove from heat and add eggs, if desired, then set aside to cool or refrigerate. (It's easier to handle when cold).
• Siopao Dough Instructions:.
• Check to make sure the yeast is active by sprinkling it over ½ cup of the tepid water. Let stand until completely dissolved and the mixture begins to bubble. (about 5 minutes).
• Mix flour, sugar, salt and baking powder together in a bowl, whisking to mix evenly.
• Add softened lard, the dissolved yeast, milk and remaining water and mix with wooden spoon.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. And knead until it loses most of its stickiness.
• Place the dough ball into an oiled ceramic bowl and cover with a damp towel. I used a ceramic coated Le Creuset Dutch oven.
• Warm your oven on its lowest setting for 2 minutes and then turn off.
• Place the covered dough in the oven for 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in volume. The dough is now ready to be used for the siopao recipe.
• Siopao Assembly Instructions:.
• Punch down dough and divide in half.
• Reserve one of the halves in the bowl and cover with the damp towel. Roll the other half into a cylindrical dough stick about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter.
• Cut into 12 equal portions and cover with damp towel.
• Roll and flatten one of the small dough balls in the palm of your hand, then place it on your prep surface and roll the disk out to 4 inches in diameter. Roll the edge thinner than the center. NOTE: it is helpful to have a very small, oblong pastry rolling pin (flat in the middle, tapering ends), I had a larger oblong one that I made due with.
• Hold the dough disk in hand and place a tablespoon of filling at the center.
• Begin pleating edges of the dough at the top forming a pocket for the filling with your other hand.
• Gently guide the filling into the pocket with your holding hand's thumb if need be.
• Continue pleating around to complete the pocket and close it off by twisting the pleats together.
• Attach a wax paper square to the sealed end and place, paper side down in on an oiled cookie sheet, giving enough room for the dough to rise a little more. Cover up reserved ones with a lightly damp towel until ready to cook. Let the buns rise again for 20 - 45 minutes.
• Continue the rolling and filling procedures until you have made the first 12 siopao buns. Repeat procedures with the remaining ingredients.
• Siopao Cooking Instructions:.
• Place hot water in a wok to come within an inch of the bottom of the steamer. Boil water in a controlled fashion so that the water is not trying to leap out of your wok or pot but yet plenty of hot steam. Keep a pot of water boiling off to the side, in case you need to replenish the water in the wok.
• Arrange the siopao, paper side down in an oiled steamer basket allowing room between each. I've cooked siopao in two sets of dual stacked steamers with great results.
• Set the steamer over the wok for 10 - 15 minutes. Resist the urge to lift the lid while steaming. It will stop the dough from rising.
• Remove steamers and allow siopao to cool a little before moving to wire cooling rack. Serve warm.
• The siopao freezes well to and can be reheated in a microwave oven for a minute on high or re-steamed.