Ingredients
200g self raising flour
200g strong white bread flour
1 tsp yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
300ml water- you might need more or less
Toppings
1 bunch spring onions
Coriander
Asian sausage meatballs
8 good quality sausages
1 clove garlic
1 thumb ginger
1/2 tsp Chinese five spice
4 tbsp ketchup
4 tbsp brown sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp vinegar
Here’s how
For the bao buns
In a bowl add both types of flour, then mix together.
Add the sugar, yeast and salt- add the salt and yeast on opposite sides of the bowl as the salt will kill off the yeast and you won't get a beautiful rise.
Mix together and add the water little bits at a time until it forms a dough.
Keep mixing the dough until it becomes smooth, cover the bowl with cling film or tea towel and let it prove for 1 hour or doubles in size.
Now, flour the surface you are working on and roll out the dough until it's about 5mm thick, cut out circles of dough with a 12 cm circle cutter. From the leftover dough, roll out again and repeat the process- be careful not to add too much flour and knead the dough as it will tighten and not give you the perfect bao bun.
On one half of each circle brush on some oil-this will prevent the buns from sticking when you fold them over.
Fold over the circles to give you semi circles, cover in cling film or a tea towel and prove for further 30-45 minutes.
To cook- if using a bamboo steamer
layer each bamboo container with parchment and put 3 of the bao buns in with the curved edge facing the outside.
Lay up each container and place the lid on top.
Place over a fast simmering pan of water and leave for 10 minutes.
When they are cooked they should spring back when you touch them.
If you haven’t got bamboo steamer- Place the bao buns on parchment on a baking tray, spray with water and cover with foil- Cook at 180 degrees for 20 minutes.
For the meatballs
Cut the sausages out of their skins and place in a mixing bowl and mix together with the chopped garlic, ginger and 5 spice.
Roll the sausage meat into 16 portions using wet hands as it helps shape the meatball.
Place the meatballs into a non stick baking tray and cook in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile all the bbq sauce ingredients together and simmer to make a delicious Asian style bbq sauce.
When the meatballs are cooked remove from the oven and add to the sauce
Serve in the buns with chopped coriander and spring onion.
