
Test it by pleating a bun and checking whether it cracks/sags. If the dough is too wet, you can knead the dough on a floured surface so the dough can absorb more flour and firm up. Solutions to dry or wet dough: If the dough is too dry, add a very small amount (a couple teaspoons) of water, and thoroughly knead the dough until the water is well-incorporated and the dough is smooth again.It’s too dry if it rips as you pleat the buns. The dough should hold its shape and be soft, but not wet.The grated ginger and scallions in this recipe are quite mild after cooking. You make it by soaking ginger and scallions to infuse their flavor into the water. Instead of using ginger and scallions in the filling, many recipes call for ginger scallion water.It will heat more evenly and slowly, so you won’t lose too much liquid during the simmering process. Use a thick-bottomed pot to make the aspic.However, since that’s hard to find stateside, a pinch of MSG can help the flavor if you don’t mind using it. Fresh, never-frozen pork is always preferred for an authentic taste.Then, you can simply weigh out the fat and lean meat to get the right ratio, and hand chop it using our easy chopped meat technique.
ELECTRIC PORK BUN WARMER SKIN
The best way to do this is to buy a fatty cut like pork butt or shoulder (a picnic shoulder will have all the meat, fat, and skin you need for this recipe, and it’s economical!). Serve them immediately after cooking, and plan the timing of your meal accordingly!
Begin making the dough 1 ½ to 2 hours before you plan to serve them.
While you must make the aspic the day before, it’s important not to overproof the dough. Important Recipe Notes: Read Before Moving On! If you’re going through the trouble of making these buns, I believe hand-chopping your ground pork is a must. It needs a good amount of fat for the right texture and flavor. The quality of ground pork is also incredibly important. The filling should be just like soup dumpling filling in that the first bite has a characteristic stream of piping hot juice. While these are called “pan-fried” buns, the process is actually more like shallow-frying. You may be a bit surprised by the amount of oil you need for this recipe, but it’s necessary to get authentic results. However, you also want it to be somewhat light while retaining that slight chew. You don’t want it to rise too much and become fluffy. The Dough:Īgain, the texture of the dough should be somewhere between a dumpling wrapper and a regular fluffy steamed bun. 3 Keys to Good Shengjian MantouĮach element of the bun is important to achieving the perfect shengjian mantou : the dough, the fried bottom, and the juicy filling. This authentic version is very difficult to find here in the U.S., where the buns are often too fluffy and bread-like. That’s the right look and texture of a good Shanghai pan-fried pork bun. It’s not authentic unless the top of the bun caves in toward the filling after cooking. You can tell just by inspecting the dough. Most pan-fried buns-even my carrot ginger pork buns -are not as special as Shanghai shengjian bao. Shanghai Pan-Fried Pork Buns are unlike any other pan-fried buns, because the dough is chewy rather than fluffy. This vinegar is lighter and less overpowering, but still cuts through the richness of the bun. Soup dumplings are served with Chinese black vinegar, and these shengjian mantou are served with Shanghai rice vinegar. They’re both rich, which is why they’re served with vinegar. Shanghai Pan-Fried Pork Buns are more robust, with a fried crispy bottom. Shanghai Soup Dumplings are more pure and delicate. I think they are equally good! They’re also equally tricky to make successfully. It’s definitely a tight race when you put these side-by-side. Well, Shanghai Pan-Fried Pork Buns are like the soup dumpling’s crispy, crunchy cousin. Many Americans and others outside of China have come to love Shanghai Soup Dumplings. I strongly suggest reading through the whole post before starting! What Makes Shanghai Pan-fried Pork Buns Special? If I’m being honest, this is not the easiest recipe to make.