JAPANESE SWEET STEAMED BUNS RECIPES

Steps:

• Gather ingredients.
• Mix all the dry ingredients for the dough in a standard mixing bowl. With the mixer running on medium speed add warm water and oil.  Mix for about 20 seconds until the dough is formed.  Take it out on a floured surface and knead into a ball.  Wrap in plastic and set it aside.  
• Make the filling by mixing all the ingredients for the filling. Divide the filling into eight balls.  
• Find a skillet large enough to hold bamboo steamer on its top. Fill the skillet halfway with water and set it on a stovetop.  
• Cut parchment paper into 1 ½ -inch squares. You will need 8. 
• Divide the dough into eight balls. Working one at a time, roll the balls to 4-inch rounds.  Press around the rims to make it thin.  This helps not to have an excess dough on the top.  Wrap the filling by pulling edges together and pinch them at the top. Set it on a piece of parchment paper and place it in the bamboo steamer. Place four buns in each tray.  
• Turn the heat on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Set bamboo steamer on top, then turn the heat to medium-low. Steam the buns for 20 minutes.  
• Serve warm.

Steps:

• To Prep Combine sugar, yeast, oil and warm water in a bowl and gently stir to mix. Allow to rest for 10 mins. Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Pour all ingredients into a mixing bowl and knead until a smooth, non-sticky dough is formed. Kneading by mixer using a hook will take about 2 mins while hand kneading will take about 10 mins. Lightly oil a bowl and place in the dough. Cover with cling wrap and allow to rest for 1 hr in warm temperature so that the dough will double up in size. Meanwhile, split the red bean paste into 12 equal portions and shape them into balls. Once the dough has risen, punch the dough down in order to release any air bubbles. Fold and knead the dough a few times and then reshape it back into a smooth ball. Dust some flour on your working bench. Cut the dough into 2. Keep one dough covered with damp cloth and roll the other into a log. Cut the log into 6 equal sizes and shape them into smooth balls. Store the smooth dough balls on parchment paper and keep covered with damp cloth. Repeat with the other dough. Using a rolling pin or your palm, flatten one dough at a time. The centre of the dough should be slightly thicker while the edge should be rolled out thinner. Put one ball of red bean paste in the middle of the dough. Gather and pinch the edges to seal the bun. Repeat with remaining dough and red bean paste balls. Place all buns in a large tray and cover with damp towels. Allow to proof for 15 mins. To know if they have proofed, gently press the side of a bun. If the indentation stays, they are ready. To Cook Using a large, clean towel, wrap the lid of your steamer and tie with a string to secure the towel in its place. The towel helps to prevent water droplets from dripping back to the bun. If steaming with bamboo basket, the wrapping step is not required. Steam buns over boiling water for 10 mins. Remember to space the buns out a little as the buns will expand once steamed. At the end of the steaming time, turn of the heat and allow to rest for 5 mins in the steamer without opening the lid. Serve fresh from the steamer. To store them, simply keep them in individual zip lock bags and freeze once they have cooled down. Steam them straight from the freezer.