STEAMED PORK BUNS AND SWEET PORK DUMPLINGS

I had a hankering for pork dumplings last night, as I was putting together my failsafe recipe tipping in my rice wine I noticed an interesting smell and on further inspection found that it was full of mould - can rice wine do this? I didn't think so! Lucky for those pregnancy hormones making my smell super sensitive otherwise I think it would have gone unnoticed (since I tipped it in soy sauce and couldn't see that it was black when it should be very light brown)!

So it was back to the drawing board and I created this beauty instead. I felt like dumplings but knew that they wouldn't filly hubby up. I remembered seeing a Jamie Oliver segment last week and he made pork buns, so I thought I would give them a go as well and they were delicious! I even had one for breakfast and am tempted to make them again for dinner tonight (that's a big statement!!)

PORK BUN DOUGH

4 cups plain flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tbs dried yeast
3 tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
1 C warm water

Combine most of the water, dried yeast and sugar in a bowl and allow to activate. You will know when this is happening when it starts to foam. Mix into the plain four, baking powder and salt adding more water as necessary until a smooth dough is reached, kneading for 5 minutes. Coat in oil and place in a bowl sitting in another bowl of warm water covered with a clean tea towel for 1 - 2 hours until doubled in size



WONTON WRAPPERS

2 C plain flour
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1/2 cup water

Beat the egg, water and salt together and mix into the flour until a smooth dough is reached, knead for 5 minutes until smooth and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

FILLING

500 grams lean pork mince
2 cups very finely chopped chinese cabbage
1/2 red onion very finely chopped
2 tbs vinegar
3 tbs sugar
1 tbs soy sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbs sesame oil
2 cm piece ginger grated

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

ASSEMBLY DUMPLINGS

Roll out wonton dough very thin, I used my pasta machine and got the dough down to setting 1. It is possible to do by hand but really who can be bothered? Cut into 4-5 cm strips and place a teaspoon of filling and fold into a dumpling shape. Steam for 15 minutes.

Rolled out dough

Place a teaspoon of mixture on strips of the wonton wrapper

Fold in half

Fold the top over

Bring the corners together

And again of the other side, to make an eye.

Waiting, ready to be steamed.

Delicious!

ASSEMBLY PORK BUNS

Punch dough down and divide into 8. Flatten the dough in your hand until the size of a teacup saucer. Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center and fold into a circular shape. Place on a greased piece of greaseproof paper and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Place in a steamer and steam for 20 minutes.

Divide the dough into 8 portions and flatten to a tea cup saucer size.

Add a couple of tablespoons of pork mixture

Fold the top and the bottom together.

Pinch together the sides.

Bring each corner together of the diagonal to form a circle.

Place on an oiled piece of greaseproof paper. Allow to rest for 30 minutes.

Steam for 20 minutes.

So yummy!