Pork Bao, also known as Baozi or Chinese steamed buns, is a popular and delicious dish. Here's a basic recipe for making Pork Bao:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water

For the Pork Filling:

• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped

For Assembly and Steaming:

• Cornstarch for dusting
• Round parchment paper or cut parchment squares

Instructions:

Prepare the Dough:

• In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
• In a large mixing bowl, add flour. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and vegetable oil.
• Mix until the dough comes together. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.

Prepare the Pork Filling:

• In a pan, sauté minced garlic and ginger until fragrant.
• Add ground pork and cook until it's no longer pink.
• Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Mix well and cook until the pork is cooked through.
• Stir in chopped green onions. Set aside to cool.

Assemble the Bao:

• Punch down the risen dough and knead it briefly.
• Divide the dough into small equal-sized balls. Roll each ball into a flat disc, making the edges thinner than the center.
• Place a spoonful of the pork filling in the center of each disc.
• Pleat and seal the edges, creating a closed pouch with the filling inside.

Steam the Bao:

• Place each assembled bao on a piece of parchment paper dusted with cornstarch.
• Arrange the baos in a steamer, leaving space between them to allow for expansion.
• Steam the bao for about 15-20 minutes until they are cooked and the dough is fluffy.

Serve:

• Serve the Pork Bao hot, and you can enjoy them as a delicious and satisfying snack or meal.

Tips:

Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite ingredients. Pork bao can be filled with a variety of ingredients, making them versatile and enjoyable.