Char Siew Puffs (Char Siew Sow) - Dim Sum

Ingredients

Filling

• 1/4 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon caster sugar
• 30 ml water (approx 2 TB)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil or canola oil (etc.)
• 1 shallot, sliced
• 85 g barbecued pork, diced (char siew , 3 oz)

Dough

• 90 g all-purpose flour (approx 3/4 cup)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon custard powder
• 25 g icing sugar (approx 3 tablespoon)
• 45 g butter, cubed (approx 3 tablespoon)
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Egg wash

• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 pinch salt

Directions

1. 1

   Prepare Filling: Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar and water and stir until sugar is dissolved; stir in cornstarch.

2. 2

   Heat oil in a pan, once hot, fry shallot till fragrant.

3. 3

   Slowly pour in the sauce mixture and cook until sauce thickens.

4. 4

   Add diced char siew to the sauce, stir to coat well.

5. 5

   Prepare dough: Sift all-purpose flour, baking powder, custard powder and icing sugar into a mixing bowl.

6. 6

   Rub in the butter until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

7. 7

   Stir egg into the flour mixture to make a pliable dough.

8. 8

   Wrap dough in a large plastic bag (approx 20x30cm or 8x12inch) and chill for at least 30 minutes.

9. 9

   Remove dough from fridge and roll it out (in the bag) to obtain a 8 x 12" rectangle.

10. 10

    Cut the edges of the plastic bag and take the dough out; divide it equally into 12 portions (use a pizza roller/dough scraper for easier cutting).

11. 11

    Put some filling on each dough portion, fold it so that filling is enclosed; seal edges by crimping with a fork.

12. 12

    Brush the pastries with egg wash (lightly beat egg, water and salt together).

13. 13

    Bake in a preheated oven at 180-190°C or 350-375°F for 20 minutes until golden brown.

14. 14

    Serve while they are still hot or warm.