Steamy Buns: Cooking Homemade Treats On The Streets

Steamed buns are a staple in many Asian cuisines and can be cooked in a variety of ways. While a bamboo steamer is the traditional method, steamed buns can also be cooked in a microwave, oven, or even deep-fried. The basic ingredients for steamed buns are flour, yeast, and water, but milk, oil, or sugar can be added to enhance the flavour or improve the texture. In this article, we will explore the different methods for cooking homemade steamed buns and provide step-by-step instructions for each approach.

How to steam buns in the microwave

Steaming buns in the microwave is a convenient and effective way to achieve soft, warm, and fluffy buns. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Prepare the Buns:

Before you begin, make sure you have microwave-safe containers and a microwave oven. You can use a microwave-safe plate and a microwave-safe bowl or cup.

If your buns are frozen, there is no need to defrost them. Simply place them in a microwave-safe container. If you are using homemade or fresh buns, lightly dampen a clean kitchen towel or paper towel with water and wrap it around each bun. This step helps to retain moisture and ensure even cooking.

Create Steam in the Microwave:

Pour a small amount of water into the microwave-safe bowl or cup. The water will help create steam inside the microwave. Place the bowl or cup with water inside the microwave, ensuring it is stable and won't tip over.

Microwave the Buns:

Place the plate with the wrapped buns inside the microwave, positioning it next to the bowl or cup of water. Close the microwave door and adjust the settings. For high-powered microwaves, use a medium setting to avoid overcooking the buns. Set the timer for 20 seconds to 1 minute, depending on the number of buns and the power of your microwave.

Microwave the buns in short intervals, checking regularly to avoid overcooking. The buns are cooked when they are soft and warm, and the meat inside (if applicable) is steaming hot.

Tips for Success:

• It is recommended to steam buns individually in the microwave to ensure even cooking.
• Be careful not to over-steam the buns, as they can become soggy.
• Always use microwave-safe containers to avoid any hazards.
• Adjust the cooking time depending on the wattage of your microwave and the desired softness of the buns.

By following these simple steps, you can easily steam buns in the microwave, making them the perfect base for delicious fillings or a tasty accompaniment to your meal.

How to steam buns using a sieve

If you're craving delicious, fluffy steamed buns but don't have a steamer at home, don't worry! You can use a common kitchen sieve or colander to steam your buns. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

What You'll Need:

• A metal sieve or colander
• A boiling pan (just large enough for the sieve to rest in)
• A pan lid or boiling pan lid top
• Cooking paper, cabbage, or lettuce leaves
• Kitchen or tea towels

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Fill your boiling pan with a few inches of water.
• Place your sieve in the pan, ensuring that the water level does not submerge the lowest point of the sieve.
• Place your buns on sheets of cooking paper, cabbage, or lettuce leaves before placing them in the sieve. This will prevent them from sticking to the sieve mesh.
• Put the loaded sieve into the boiling pan and cover it with the pan lid.
• Make it airtight by covering any gaps with layers of tea towels.
• Turn on the heat to the highest gas mark and leave the buns to cook for about 10 minutes. You need high intense heat to generate enough hot steam for the cooking process.

Tips:

• If you're using a colander instead of a sieve, make sure it's metal or heat-proof.
• It's important to use high heat and create an airtight seal to ensure enough steam is generated for cooking the buns.
• You can check if your buns are cooked by inserting a toothpick into the centre. If it comes out clean, your buns are ready!

How to fry steamed buns

Ingredients and Equipment

To fry steamed buns, you will need the following ingredients:

• A filling of your choice (common options include pork, chicken, beef, vegetables, or sweet fillings such as red bean paste or custard)
• Yeast
• Flour
• Water
• Salt
• Oil
• A wok or a large pot
• A steamer (bamboo or metal)
• Parchment paper or lettuce leaves
• A kettle of boiling water (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

• Prepare the dough by mixing together flour, yeast, water, and salt. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.
• Let the dough rise in a greased bowl, covered, until it has tripled in size. This should take around 2-3 hours.
• Punch down the dough and sprinkle baking powder on the surface. Knead the dough again for 5 minutes.
• Divide the dough into equal portions and roll each portion into a ball.
• Roll out each ball of dough into a circular shape.
• Place a spoonful of filling in the middle of each circle of dough.
• Bring the sides of the dough together and seal them, forming a bun shape.
• Prepare your steamer by adding water to a wok or a large pot and bringing it to a rolling boil. The amount of water will depend on the size of your steamer and pot/wok. As a guide, for a 10" bamboo steamer, use about 1" to 1 1/2" of water in a 14" wok or large pot.
• Line the steamer with perforated parchment paper or lettuce leaves to prevent the buns from sticking.
• Place the buns in the steamer, leaving at least 1" of space between them as they will expand during steaming.
• Cover the steamer and place it over the boiling water. Make sure the bottom rim of the steamer is submerged in the water, and adjust the heat as needed.
• Steam the buns for around 8-15 minutes, depending on their size.
• While the buns are steaming, heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil.
• Once the buns are steamed, place them in the pan with the pleated side down, leaving a slight gap between each bun.
• Fry the buns until the bottom turns golden brown, then add enough water to the pan to cover 1-2 cm of the buns' height.
• Cover the pan with a lid and let the buns cook until all the water has evaporated.
• Remove the lid and garnish the buns with chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
• Serve the buns warm, either as-is or flipped over to display the crispy bottom layer.

Tips and Tricks

• If using a bamboo steamer, ensure the floor of the steamer does not touch the water, as this can make the buns soggy.
• If using a metal steamer, cover the lid with a kitchen towel to prevent condensation from dripping onto the buns.
• Leave enough space between the buns during steaming, as they will expand and may stick together if placed too close together.
• Resist the urge to open the steamer and check on the buns during the steaming process, as this can cause them to collapse.
• If using a filling with high moisture content, such as zucchini, be sure to drain the filling well before adding it to the buns to prevent sogginess.
• You can freeze any leftover buns and reheat them in a steamer when ready to eat.

How to steam buns in the oven

Steaming buns in the oven is a great way to enjoy fluffy, delicious treats without the need for specialized equipment like a bamboo steamer. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving perfect steamed buns using your oven:

Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to a temperature of 375°F (190°C). This temperature will create the ideal environment for steaming the buns effectively.

Prepare the Baking Sheet:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This provides a non-stick surface for your buns and makes cleanup easier.

Arrange the Buns:

Place the buns on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them. This spacing is important to allow for proper steam circulation during the cooking process.

Create Steam in the Oven:

• Boil some water in a kettle or on the stovetop. Carefully pour the boiling water into a roasting pan or a heatproof dish.
• Place the roasting pan or dish containing the boiling water on the bottom rack of your preheated oven. This step adds moisture to the oven, creating a steaming effect.

Steam the Buns:

• Put the baking sheet with the arranged buns on the middle rack of the oven.
• Close the oven door and let the buns steam for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Keep the oven closed during this period to maintain the steam environment.

Check for Doneness:

After the recommended steaming time, carefully open the oven door and insert a toothpick into the center of one of the buns. If the toothpick comes out clean, your buns are ready to be enjoyed!

Serve and Enjoy:

Remove the buns from the oven and serve them hot. You can pair them with your favorite dipping sauce or savor their flavorful goodness on their own.

Now you can satisfy your craving for steamed buns without the need for a traditional steamer. Get creative in the kitchen, and enjoy these delightful treats anytime, anywhere!

How to steam buns using a wok

Steaming is one of the oldest and gentlest cooking methods in Chinese cooking. A wok is perfectly designed for steaming, as its wide, convex shape means you can fit almost anything inside.

Here's how to steam buns using a wok:

What You'll Need

• A wok
• A bamboo steamer (or a metal steamer with a glass or metal lid)
• Greaseproof paper
• A clean tea towel
• A small bowl
• A plate
• Boiling water

Step-by-Step Guide

• Line the metal steamer with greaseproof paper to protect it and your buns.
• Don't overfill the steamer with water—just fill it halfway up to the bottom of the steamer.
• Place the buns inside the steamer, ensuring they don't touch the sides, which can become quite wet.
• Cover the pan with a clean tea towel to absorb any condensation, then place the lid on top.
• Put a small amount of water in the wok and bring it to a boil.
• Place a small bowl into the wok, and put a plate with some greaseproof paper on top of the bowl.
• Put the buns onto the greaseproof paper.
• Place a tall lid on the wok.
• Steam the buns for around 8 minutes.

And there you have it—fluffy, steamed buns cooked right on the street!

Frequently asked questions