Chinese Steamed Buns (Mantou)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. 1

   In a small bowl, sprinkle yeast and sugar over 4 tablespoons of the warm water and leave it for 15 minutes.

2. 2

   Place the flour in a bowl and make a well in the center. Pour in the yeast mixture and the remaining water. Mix everything to form a dough.

3. 3

   Turn it onto a floured board and knead until smooth.

4. 4

   Return dough to the bowl, cover and let it stand in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in size.

5. 5

   Punch down, cover again and let it stand for 20 minutes longer.

6. 6

   Knead the dough again and shape into rolls.

7. 7

   Bring the water in the bottom of a steamer to a boil. Place the rolls in the steamer, leaving a 1- inch gap between them. Cook for 10 minutes or until firm and cooked through.

8. 8

   Serve them hot.