Hawaiian Manapua

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups diced char siu (Chinese barbecue pork)
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp chopped scallion

Before you cook

• Cut parchment paper into 8 small squares.
• Dice the char siu pork.

Steps

1. Whisk the flour, sugar and yeast together in a large bowl.
2. Stir in the warm water and vegetable oil to form a shaggy dough.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour until doubled.
5. Heat a small pan over medium heat and add the diced char siu.
6. Stir in the oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce and sugar.
7. Cook for 2 minutes until the pork is coated and glossy.
8. Pour in the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens.
9. Stir in the chopped scallion and remove from the heat to cool.
10. Punch down the risen dough and knead in the baking powder.
11. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
12. Flatten each piece into a 4-inch circle, keeping the edges thinner than the center.
13. Spoon a portion of the cooled pork filling into the center of each circle.
14. Gather the edges up and around the filling and pinch tightly to seal.
15. Set each bun, seam-side down, on a parchment square.
16. Cover the buns loosely and let them rest for 20 minutes.
17. Set up a steamer with simmering water and arrange the buns inside, leaving space between them.
18. Steam for 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and let the buns sit in the steamer for 5 minutes before opening the lid.
19. Serve the manapua warm.