Aloha Friday Recipe: Char Siu Manapua (Bao)

May 9th, 2008

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon shortening
1/4 cup sugar
1 pkg active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
char siu filling

Put three cups of the flour into a bowl. Cut in shortening. Stir in two tablespoons of the sugar. Combine the remaining two tablespoons sugar with the yeast and add 1/3 cup of the warm water. Stir until yeast is dissolved. Add the remaining 1/2 cup flour; mix well. Combine flour mixture, yeast mixture and remaining 2/3 cup water. Knead on lightly floured board five minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl and divide into 18 portions. Oil hands and flatten pieces of dough. Put about 1 tablespoon filling in center of dough. Form buns by pulling dough up and around filling. Pinch and seal seams. Place on squares of waxed paper. Let rest 20-30 minutes. Place on rack and steam 15 minutes. Makes 18 buns.

Recipe courtesy Hawaiian Electric Company