Delicious Chinese Steamed Buns with Savory Meat Filling

Ingredients

• 8 ounces chopped pork
• 1 (4 ounce) can shrimp, drained and chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 green onions
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger root
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice wine
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• ground black pepper to taste
• 2.5 tablespoons water
• 1 recipe Chinese Steamed Buns

Instructions

1. In a wok over medium heat, cook the chopped pork for about 3 minutes. Add chopped shrimp, if desired, and cook until the pork is no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid, season with salt, and set aside to cool completely.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine green onions, ginger, soy sauce, rice wine, oil, sugar, and pepper. Mix in the minced meat, then stir in water until thoroughly combined. Chill in the freezer for 2 hours or in the refrigerator overnight to allow flavors to meld.
3. Prepare the dough according to your favorite Chinese Steamed Buns dough recipe.
4. Shape the dough into small balls, then roll each ball into a thin circle, similar to Won-Ton wrappers. Place 1 tablespoon of the prepared meat mixture in the center of each circle, and carefully wrap the dough around the filling. Place the filled buns, seam-side down, onto squares of wax paper. Let them rest until doubled in size, approximately 30 minutes.
5. Bring water to a boil in the wok, then reduce the heat to medium, ensuring the water remains boiling. Position the steam plate on a small wire rack in the center of the wok. Transfer as many buns (on their wax paper squares) as can comfortably fit onto the steam plate, leaving 1 to 2 inches of space between each bun. Ensure at least 2 inches of space between the steam plate and the water level in the wok. Cover the wok with a lid and steam the buns for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. IMPORTANT: Remove the lid before turning off the heat to prevent water from dripping onto the bun surface, which can cause undesirable yellowish "blisters". Continue steaming the remaining batches of buns until all are cooked to perfection.

Nutrition

• Calories: 33 kcal
• Fat Content: 2 g
• Sugar Content: 1 g
• Sodium Content: 132 mg
• Protein Content: 3 g
• Cholesterol Content: 14 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 1 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g