I know you are wondering what bao buns are, perhaps you know them as steamed Chinese rolls.
The bao are so soft due to steam cooking that they resemble a cloud and are popular throughout Asia.
Traditionally, they are cooked in a bamboo steamer, but I used the varoma.
To the touch, once cooked, they do not resemble classic rolls; indeed, they have a distinctly more candid appearance, but once filled, they will win you over.
The flavor of the bao is decidedly neutral, perfect therefore for filling with a generous layer of nutella or in a savory version, stuffed with meat, fish, or vegetables.
Until the next recipe!
Nea!
Thermomix Bao buns
Ingredients
- 300 gr wheat flour
- 30 gr sugar
- 4 gr dried yeast
- 170 gr water at room temperature
- 20 gr extra virgin olive oil
- 10 gr fine salt
Instructions
Put all the ingredients in the bowl except the salt, knead for 2 min. speed dough mode.
Add the salt and knead again: 1 min. speed dough mode.
Take back the dough and work it with your hands to form a ball, place in a container, cover and leave to rise in a sheltered place for at least two hours or until doubled.
After the first leavening, resume the dough, give it an elongated shape and divide it into pieces of about 50 g each.
Form balls with each piece and let them rest for 30 minutes on the floured work surface and covered with a towel.
Then take each ball and with the help of a rolling pin roll out to form a disc about 8-10 cm wide with a thickness of 1 cm.
Fold each disc in half to form a crescent and place a sheet of parchment paper in the center to prevent the dough from sticking.
Transfer each sandwich to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with a towel and let rise for at least 1 hour.
At this point, cover the varoma with perforated parchment paper, place the sandwiches well spaced on top (two in the bell and 3 on the tray).
Put 1 liter and a half of water in the bowl, close the jar, place the varoma closed and cook: 25 min. Varoma speed. 2.
Proceed with cooking the rest of the sandwiches as well.
Allow to cool completely before serving the bao buns… Buon appetito!
Recipe Notes
Bao bun have a neutral flavor and can be filled in a sweet version: with an abundant layer of Nutella, or in a savory version: with a couple of slices of roasted pork, julienne vegetables and soy sauce or a fish or vegetable tartar for a vegan version. 🙂
Since they are steamed, they should be eaten immediately, otherwise they can be kept for 1 day closed in food bags.
