BBQ Beef Baozi
For the dough:
- 2.5 cups of flour (we used wheat flour but you can use all-purpose flour)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 pack of yeast
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp oil
- 3/4 cup of water
For the filling:
- 1/2 lb of either ground beef or thinly sliced beef
- green onion (to taste)
- 1 cup of shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup of bbq sauce (or more if you prefer)
Combine the flour, yeast, salt, baking powder and water in a large bowl. Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes. Place the dough in a clean bowl (with some oil spread across the bottom so it doesn't stick). Cover and set aside for one hour.
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Slice green onion. If I am using thinly sliced beef, I first cut it into thin strips and then I sear it in the pan before mixing it with bbq sauce in a bowl. If I am using ground beef, I cook the meat completely before mixing in the BBQ sauce.
Once dough has risen (after about an hour), flour your work surface and divide the dough in half. Roll out the first half and use either a cookie cutter or wide rimmed glass to cut out circles. Roll out the circles until they become thin.
Use a spoon to place the meat in the center of the dough. Add in cheese and green onion to your preference.
There is a more traditional technique for folding the buns which you can find here, but I simply fold up the edges until they meet at the top and then twist the bun until it is sealed. Place a small strip of parchment paper beneath each bun.
Bring water to boil in a small pot and place buns in your bamboo steamer. Steam on high (ten minutes for small buns and fifteen minutes for large buns).
Honestly, you can really put whatever you want inside the dough - pizza fillings, macaroni and cheese, and sandwich fillings (like a reuben or pastrami).
You can also make peanut butter and jelly baozi! Or nutella baozi!