A healthier version of Chinese stuffed pork buns–vegetarian steamed buns with chives, egg and bean vermicelli.

Several days ago, I mentioned that oven is quite uncommon in China ten years ago in the previous milk bread recipe, I receive a feedback indicating that on oven kitchen is unimaginable. Chinese people use bamboo steamer to enjoy the greatest ingredient-flour.  We play with the dough and make steamed buns in different shapes and flavors, enjoying from the basic mantou to savory BBQ pork buns.

Start with the dough: you will need

• 300g all-purpose flour
• 3g salt
• 150-170ml water (adjust the softness)
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon active instant yeast

In a large bowl or in a stand-mixer bowl, add flour, instead yeast, water and salt. Grasp all the ingredients together and then knead the flour into smooth and soft dough. At the very beginning, it might be a little bit sticky. Just keep kneading and you will get cute dough (or you can simply use a stand mixer to knead the dough for 7-8 minutes with slow speed). Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for around 1 hour (the time might be longer in winter )or until the paste ball doubles in size. If you need more further details about the dough, check Chinese steamed buns.

Making the filling: you will need

• 3 cups finely chopped Chinese chive
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil (divided)
• 2 eggs
• 30g bean vermicelli (soak in clean water until soft)
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder

Mix the chives with 2 teaspoons of sesame oil. You will end up with juicy and green chive after steaming.

Add some vegetable oil to a pan and make a egg omelet. Cool for several minutes and cut into small pieces.

Completely drain soaked bean bean vermicelli and then cut into shorter pieces. Transfer them to the filling bowl, and add salt, sesame oil and Chinese five spice powder. Give a big stir fry to mix everything well.

If you need video help about the process, you can resort to the following video.

When the dough is ready, transfer the dough to a slightly floured board and then knead forcefully until a smooth surface. Then divide the dough into 12 portions. Roll each portion into a circle.

Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the middle.

Wrap it.

Place them in steamer, turn up the fire and heat for 2-3 minutes, turn off the fire and wait for 10 to 15 minutes. Then start the fire and steam the buns for 10 minutes after the water boils. Wait for 5 minutes with lid covered and then enjoy!

Pillow soft buns with a healthier summer filling. Hope you enjoy!

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Vegetarian Steamed Buns

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

35 mins

 

Vegetarian steamed buns with chive, egg and bean starch noodles

Course: dim sum, staple

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Steamed Buns

Servings: 12 Making around 12 buns

Calories: 141 kcal

Author: Elaine

Ingredients

For the dough

• 300 g all-purpose flour
• 3 g salt
• 150-170 ml water , adjust the softness
• 1.5 tsp. instant yeast

For the filling

• 3 cup finely chopped Chinese chive
• 2 tbsp. sesame oil , divided
• 2 eggs
• 30 g bean vermicelli , soak in clean water until soft
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 tsp. Chinese five spice powder

Instructions

1. Carefully wash the chives, remove the tough ends and then finely chop.
2. Mix the chives with 2 teaspoons of sesame oil. You will end up with juicy and green chive after steaming.
3. Add some vegetable oil to a pan and make an egg omelet. Cool for several minutes and cut into small pieces.
4. Completely drain soaked bean bean vermicelli and then cut into shorter pieces. Transfer them to the filling bowl, and add salt, sesame oil and Chinese five spice powder. Give a big stir-fry to mix everything well.
5. When the dough is ready, transfer the dough to a slightly floured board and then knead forcefully until a smooth surface. Then divide the dough into 12 portions. Roll each portion into a circle. Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the middle and seal it.
6. Place them in steamer, turn up the fire and heat for 2-3 minutes, turn off the fire and wait for 10 to 15 minutes. Then start the fire and steam the buns for 10 minutes after the water boils. Wait for 5 minutes with lid covered and then enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

The Nutrition Facts is based on each single bun.

Nutrition Facts

Vegetarian Steamed Buns

Amount Per Serving

Calories 141 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Cholesterol 37mg12%

Sodium 117mg5%

Potassium 76mg2%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 490IU10%

Vitamin C 5.8mg7%

Calcium 19mg2%

Iron 1.5mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.