(ají (peruvian pepper) sauce)15 minutes15 minutes or less

Bao or Steamed Buns

By Claudia Varleta

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8 Servings

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15 Minutes

Bao or Steamed Buns
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Recipe Details

Total Time: 15 Minutes

Cooking Technique: Grill, Steam

Cuisine: Asian Flavors

Yield: 8 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2⅓ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp yeast
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ tbsp vinegar
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¾ cup (180 to 200 ml) warm water
  • ¾ tsp baking powder
  • Oil for brushing
  • Chicken sautéed in soy sauce
  • Coleslaw
  • Mayonnaise mixed with sriracha (ají (Peruvian pepper) sauce), to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. For the dough for the rolls, put the flour in a bowl. In the middle, place the sugar along with the yeast and sprinkle the salt around the edges. Add the vinegar and milk and mix with the flour. Gradually add the water, mixing until you have a soft but not sticky dough. Transfer to the counter and knead until you have a smooth and elastic dough.
  2. Let rest covered for 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size. Once it has risen, stretch out on a lightly floured counter. Sprinkle with the baking powder and then form a cylinder. Cut the 8 pieces and roll into a ball. With the palm of your hand, roll out each ball until you have a 4 in (10 cm) circle. Brush one face with oil and then fold. Place on a floured tray while preparing the other buns.
  3. Cover the Instant Pot® rack with aluminum foil. With a skewer, poke holes all over the surface and brush with oil.
  4. Place the stainless steel inner pot inside the Instant Pot®, add 1 cup of water, insert the rack with aluminum foil and place 3 buns on top.
  5. Close and lock the Instant Pot® lid. Make sure the steam release handle is turned to Sealing. Press Steam, pressure level Low, and set time to 8 Minutes.
  6. When done cooking, press Cancel and turn the steam release handle to Venting. Once all the pressure has been released, open the lid and remove the rack with the buns. Repeat the process with the rest of the buns, making sure to fill the pot with enough water.
  7. Serve the buns with shredded chicken, coleslaw, and sriracha sauce.

About the chef

Claudia Varleta

Claudia Varleta

Claudia Varleta, creator of Mundo de Dulcinea, is a commercial engineer turned food blogger who is passionate about conscious cooking. With a decade of experience, Claudia shares her love for creating simple yet creative recipes that emphasize sustainability and flavor. Her blog offers a wide variety of both sweet and savory dishes, inspiring her followers to add a touch of sweetness to their everyday lives. In addition to her blog, Claudia has co-authored several cookbooks, including Fácil y Delicioso: 75 Recetas para Simplificar el Día a Día, the official Instant Pot cookbook in Chile. This book features easy and flavorful recipes designed to make meal preparation simpler and more enjoyable for home cooks.

View All Claudia's Recipes

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