Basic Steamed or Baked Buns Recipe

Yeast Mix

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

Dough Mix

• 1 cup warm water
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

1. Yeast Mix:
   Mix all yeast mix ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
   Let stand for 30 minutes.
   
2. Dough Mix:
   Mix other ingredients except baking powder into the bowl in the following order -
   warm water
   flour
   salt
   sugar
   vegetable oil
   
3. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.
   Lightly oil the entire surface and let stand until triple in size (2 1/2 to 3 hours).
   Turn dough out on a floured board and punch down.
   Sprinkle baking powder evenly on surface, then knead for about 5 minutes.
   Divide dough into 2 parts.
   Place one piece into bowl and cover.
   Divide the first section into 12 parts.
   At this point you may add any desired filling or continue with unfilled buns.
   
4. [To add filling -
   Flatten each section in the palm of your hand.
   Place one tablespoon of filling in the center and form dough into a ball around the filling.]
   Lightly roll each part into a ball.
   Put each ball on a wax or parchment paper square.
   Cover and let stand until doubled (about 30 minutes).
   Repeat with the rest of the dough.
   
5. Steaming
   Place water in a steamer and bring to a rapid boil.
   Reduce heat to medium.
   Place a single layer of dough balls (with wax/parchment squares) into steamer tray about 1 inch apart.
   Cover and steam for roughly 15 minutes.
   Remove cover before turning off heat and transfer buns to a serving plate/tray.
   Repeat until all buns are cooked.
   Serve warm.
6. Baked
   Preheat oven to 350º.
   Place buns on a lightly oiled baking pan.
   Bake at 350º for 15 to 18 minutes (until golden brown).
   Serve warm.