Vegetarian Steamed Buns 雪菜素包

Ingredients
Makes 8 buns

For the dough:

• 135g lukewarm water
• 3/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 250g unbleached all purpose flour
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the filling:

• 3 cups snow cabbage, finely chopped
• 1 cup firm tofu, chopped and pan-fried
• 1 bag (50g) vermicelli, soaked and chopped
• 10 shiitake mushroom, soaked and chopped
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp minced ginger

Seasonings:

• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp white pepper powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp sesame oil

Method

For the filling:

1. Blanch the snow cabbage in boiling water for 30 seconds, and immediately drain them through a strainer, and run cold water over them. Drain the blanched cabbage (squeeze the water out as much as possible) and set aside.
2. Heat a skillet over high heat for 30 seconds, add 2 tsp oil, and pan-fried the tofu for 5 to 8 minutes each side. Set aside to cool.
3. Cut the tofu into small dice.
4. In a large bowl, add the chopped shiitake mushrooms, vermicelli, tofu, snow cabbage, scallions and ginger and mix well.
5. Combine all seasoning ingredients, and pour in to the cabbage mixture, and stir very well.

Prepare the buns:

1. Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water in a small bowl.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with the yeast mixture until all is blended, and then knead the dough until it's smooth, around 5 minutes.
3. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes in the bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap or a lid.
4. Roll the dough into a cylinder 16" long, and cut into 2" pieces (8 pieces in total.)
5. Roll each piece into a ball.
6. Work with one piece at a time; cover those not being used with a damp cloth.
7. Press a ball down lightly, then roll into a 4"  diameter circle with a roller pin.
8. Place 2 tbsp filling in center of the circle.
9. Bring up sides to cover filling and meet on top, pinch and seal closed with a twist.  Repeat for all 8.
10. Place the buns on the square baking papers. (Cut the parchment paper in squares slightly bigger than the buns.)
11. Spread the buns on the steamer and pour some warm water in the bottom of the steamer. Cover the steamer, and let the buns rise for 15 minutes.
12. After the final rise, turn on the steamer and steam the buns for 17 minutes until it's cooked.
13. Serve immediately.