Chinese cooking, like most of Asia, focuses first on a starch like rice or noodles, then adds an accompaniment of meat or seafood, rather than meat first, starch and vegetables second, as found in European-influenced cuisines. Recipes in China are as diverse as the language, with its 80,000 characters, and Chinese immigrants have brought this complex culinary heritage to almost every region of the world.
Sprinkle yeast over the water in a small bowl. Sprinkle on the sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir well. Place bowl in a warm place, such as a turned-off oven, until liquid has doubled in volume.
Meanwhile, place warm milk in a large bowl. Stir in the yeast mixture, then gradually add flour. When dough is stiff, turn out onto a floured board and knead until smooth, using flour as necessary.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and place in a warm, undrafty area for 1-1/2 hours. Punch down dough, cover, then let sit for 1 more hour.
Turn out dough onto floured board. Divide dough in half, knead slightly, then form each half into a log about 2 inches thick. Cut logs into 1-inch pieces. Form each piece into a circle, rolling into a disc approximately 4 inches in diameter. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in center, then gather up sides of disc and twist to seal. Place buns in bamboo steamer trays and let rise for about 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat water to a boiling in a wok to a level just below the bamboo steamer. Steam buns for 10 minutes then remove from heat.
See also Pork Filling for Steamed Buns and Roast Pork.
Chinese and Lunar New Year Handbook
from Kate's Global Kitchen:
China on Wikipedia
Hong Kong on Global Gourmet's Destinations
More country Destinations
This page modified January 2007

The Global Gourmet®
Main Page
Advanced Search
Recent Searches
Kate's Global Kitchen
Kate's Books
Cookbook Profiles
Global Destinations
Holiday & Party Recipes
I Love Desserts
On Wine
Shopping
New Green Basics
Cooking with Kids
Archives
Conversions, Charts
& Substitutions
Search
About the
Global Gourmet®
Contact Info
Advertising
Feedback
Privacy Statement
Blood, Bones & Butter
Cook's Illustrated Cookbook
Essential Pepin
Smokin' with Myron Mixon
Momofuku Milk Bar
Oxford Companion to Beer
Plenty
Vegan Bite By Bite
Happy Herbivore Cookbook
Peas and Thank You
Around My French Table
Nordic Cuisine
Chewy Gooey Cookies
Meat: Kitchen Education
Everyday Family Dinners
New York Times Cookbook
Fried Chicken & Champagne
Food Styling
Flying Pans Two Chefs
Asian Palate
Cooking of Ireland
Wedding Cakes
All IACP Nominees
Lowcountry Cooking
My Sweet Mexico
Sarabeth's Bakery
Sommelier
Bottega
Heart of Artichoke
Cook Italy
Oaxaca al Gusto
Stir-Frying
Jam Cookbook
Tartine Bread
Jewish Food
Good Meat
Ham
Pig
Empires of Food
Four Fish
Peace Meals
All Beard Nominees
Copyright © 1994-2012,
Forkmedia LLC
Global Gourmet®
Shopping
Gourmet Food, Cookbooks
Kitchen Gadgets & Gifts
Global Gourmet®
Shopping
Gourmet Food, Cookbooks
Kitchen Gadgets & Gifts
Bestselling Cookbooks
Cooking Light Store
Kitchen Markdowns
Buy 3 Products, Get 4th Free
Kitchen Bonus Deals
Cookware Rebates
Bestselling Small Appliances