Recipes by their Ingredients

char siu pork

  • Char Siu Bao (Baked BBQ Pork Buns)

    Char Siu Bao
    Char Sui Bao
    (Makes 6-8)


    Filling
    Char Siu Pork, ¼ to ½ inch cubes

    Filling Sauce
    2 tblsp Char Siu Sauce (marinade)
    1 tblsp Oyster sauce
    1½ tblsp dark soy sauce
    1 tblsp Sesame oil
    1 tsp white pepper
    1 tsp Chinese 5 spice
    2 tblsp sugar
    1 tsp scallion oil, optional

    Slurry (thickener for filling)
    2 tsp cornstarch
    2 tsp water

    Bao
    400g strong bread flour
    25g butter
    70g fine sugar
    2g salt
    7g fast action dry yeast
    200g warm water (the yeast I use requires the liquid be 120-130 degrees F.)

    Egg Wash
    1 egg
    1 tblsp milk or water


    NOTES:The bread measurements are all in grams because being exact in baking recipes almost always means you will get a great result! There was not any dough that was too sticky and it just takes the guess work out of the equation! I have used a version of this model for years!

    For the pork, I used a boneless butt/shoulder, cut into 1 inch by 1 inch and however long they are logs. Marinate for 2-3 days in your char siu marinade. Using a grill, bbq the pork, we like small really dark areas, yes they look a little burnt here and there, but are actually a combination of the sugar over-carmelizing and the char of the grill. In my circle of friends this is now known as "candy meat"!
    After grilling, let them rest and then cube up the Char Siu Bao portion and set aside, (save any leftover for another meal!

    For the filling sauce, in a small cup, mix the corn starch and water together to form a 'slurry' which will be used to thicken the filling sauce and set aside.
    Add the rest of the ingredients to a small sauce pan, mix together and turn on the heat to medium until the misture is boiling, then turn the heat down to low, and add a tblspoon of the hot mixture to the slurry mixing while you pur it in, once mixed add back to the hot sauce pan miixture stirring while your adding it. now let the sauce come to a simmer and let it reduce until its super thick and sort of oozes, this will take between 2 and 5 minutes depending on the stove heat. Once thick set aside let cool, if you want, transfer the mixture to a different bowl to facilitate cooling.

    For the Bao, Let the yeast bloom (5-10 minutes) after adding warm water and a tblsp of the sugar from the 70 grams.
    Add all the flour to a mixer with a dough hook. (Or you can hand mix it) Add the salt and sugar mix until blended.
    Now add half of the bloomed yeast/water mixture, mixing on low speed, then slowly add the remaining yeast/water until it is all incorporated and a dough forms, you may need a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides or stir up the bottom.
    Now add push the softened butter into the dough and let the mixer run at slightly faster then medium speed for 4 minutes. Make sure the butter isn't pooling outside the dough and gets mixed in to it.
    Remove the dough and hand kneed for a minute and form a ball, pulling the top to the bottom to create surface tension before resting in a lightly oiled bowl covered with a damp tea towel for 1½ hours. (There are plenty of YouTube videos with bakers forming the dough balls.)
    After 1½ hours rising, divide the dough in to 6 parts for large baos (about 4 oz each) or for smaller baos divide into 8 pieces.

    Putting it all together: Roll the bao pieces into circles 3-4 inches in diameter, then add a heaping tablespoonful of the filling into the center, pull up 2 opposite sides together without the filling touching the edges or it will not stick together, pinch the sides then follow the 2 remaining areas that are left and pinch shut, bring the pinched ends together crimping the dough together so they do not leak during baking and then the seem ends up at the bottom of the bun.
    Put them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and best if you have one insert a rack in the tray and add the parchment paper to the rack grid rack lined with parchment paper insted of the cookie sheet. This will prevent the bottom from burning. Let them rise for 30 minutes once filled.
    After the 30 minutes, brush the tops and sides with the egg wash.
    Put them in the center of a pre-warmed oven at 350 degrees F. for 15-20 minutes. I always take a look at them after 10 minutes in any case. You never know. They should look golden brown and delicious when they are done!

  • Fried Rice, Pork

    Fried Rice
    Fried Rice, pork
    (serves 6-8)
    1-1½ cups of Jasmine rice
    1/3 cup of petite peas
    1 carrot, diced into small ¼ inch squares
    OPTIONAL: 1 Serrano chili, minced fine
    OPTIONAL: ½ - 1 lb Char Sui pork, beef or chicken, preferably grilled, cut into small ¼ inch squares
    3-4 garlic cloves, minced
    ½ inch of fresh ginger root, minced
    2 tblsp olive oil or garlic oil
    3 eggs
    1 tblsp butter
    ½ tblsp salt
    1 tblsp soy sauce

    NOTES: You can use any cut of meat or just add more vegetables if you are not a meat eater.

    Instructions

    In a medium to large sauce pot filled with water, bring to a boil, add 1 tblsp salt.
    Meanwhile in a small pan or pot add some enough hot water to cover the bottom of the pan and add the carrot pieces. Boil for 3 or 4 minutes, until al dente, not too soft.

    In a large fry pan over low heat, crack 3 eggs and slowly fry then flip, add a sprinkle of salt and pepper, then remove the eggs and set aside, you can chop up the fried egg into smaller pieces now.

    When the large pot of salted water is boiling add in the rice. When it comes back to a boil, stir well, and time for 8 minutes. Taste after 8 minutes to be sure its done, if not boil for 1 minute longer, then remove from the pot and strain the water from the rice, set the rice aside.

    In a large fry pan, heat up 2 tblsp olive oil on medium heat. Add in the chilies, garlic and ginger, for a minute stirring, then add the chopped meat, toss around until warm and mixed, then slowly stir in the rice and mix well.

    Now add in the fried egg pieces, peas and carrots. Mix well. Turn off the heat.

    Sprinkle the salt over the rice, flip around and add the rest of the salt. You can also add the soy sauce now. Mix well, taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Enjoy!