DUMPLING BUNS RECIPES

Steps:

• For dough*, place flour in a large bowl. Make a well in center; pour in warm water. Using a fork, stir just until a shaggy dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap. Let stand 15 minutes. Add oil. Mix until combined and dough forms a ball. Transfer to a lightly floured surface. Knead until soft and smooth, about 5 minutes, adding flour as needed to prevent sticking. Sprinkle lightly with flour; cover with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, prepare desired filling; chill. Line the bottom of a bamboo steamer basket with a piece of parchment cut to fit. Using a sharp knife, make several slits in paper; lightly coat with cooking spray.
• Divide dough into four equal portions. Roll one portion of dough at a time into a 12-inch log (keep remaining dough covered with plastic wrap). Using a ruler as a guide, cut into 1-inch pieces. Press each piece into a circle, then roll to a 4-inch circle. Spoon 1 tablespoon filling in center. Working your way around the dumpling, pull the dough up over filling, creating pleats to enclose. Pinch dough at the top and twist.
• Transfer to prepared steamer basket. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. (Fill and shape remaining batches of dumplings while the first batches steam.)
• Set basket over a skillet of boiling water (not touching water). Cover; steam 10 minutes or until dumplings reach 165°F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into filling. Serve with desired dipping sauce.

Steps:

• Mix together pork, barbecue sauce, shallots, flour, chicken stock, soy sauce, oil, and sugar. Chill in refrigerator for at least 6 hours.
• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Cook the pork until an instant-read meat thermometer reaches 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Allow to cool; shred or finely chop the meat.
• Prepare dough for Chinese Steamed Buns (see footnote).
• Shape dough into balls. Roll each out into a circle, (like won-ton wrappers). Put 1 tablespoonful of prepared meat mixture in the center of each circle, and wrap dough around filling. Place seam-side down onto wax paper squares. Let stand until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• Bring water to a boil in wok, and reduce heat to medium; the water should still be boiling. Place steam-plate on a small wire rack in the middle of the wok. Transfer as many buns on wax paper as will comfortably fit onto steam-plate, leaving 1 to 2 inches between the buns. At least 2 inches space should be left between steam-plate and the wok. Cover wok with lid. Steam buns over boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes.
• REMOVE LID BEFORE you turn off heat, or else water will drip back onto bun surface and produce yellowish "blisters" on bun surfaces. Continue steaming batches of buns until all are cooked.