Simple Fluffy Steamed Buns (ManTou)

I live in Canada right now but I grew up in China. I had lots of delicious food there and one of my favorite food is steamed buns (ManTou). I love steamed buns so much that I can only eat steamed buns for a meal. I always want to have them here but there aren't many chinese restaurants with steamed buns here and the restaurants that have steamed buns here all taste bad. The closest chinese restaurant that has good steamed buns takes more than 4 hours to get to and you have to take a 2 hour ferry, so my family had to make it ourselves. I have a friend who knows how to make steamed buns and I made it a few times with her. After I got familiar at making steamed buns my mom told me to make it at home. I tried it at home for a few times and it was DELICIOUS so I want to share it with you. Let's get started.

1. 4 C of Flour
2. 2 1/2 tsp of Yeast
3. 2 1/2 tsp of Sugar
4. 1 1/4 C of Milk

You will also need a steamer, a knife, a roller, bowls, measuring cups and spoons, and a towel.

Put 2 1/4 tsp of Yeast in a bowl and put 7 tbsp of warm water in the bowl. This helps the yeast to rise faster. Make sure that the water is not over 45°C otherwise it might kill the yeast. Use a spoon and stir the water until all the yeast dissolves. Microwave 1 1/4 C of milk for 30 seconds. Put 2 1/2 tbsp of sugar and 4 C of flour in a big bowl and mix them evenly. Now you're ready.

Make a small indent in the center of the mixed dry ingredients and pour the microwaved milk and the yeast water in the indent. Mix them until the ingredients stick together. Now knead the dough until it becomes soft and smooth (this might take a while). If it is too dry and all the ingredients don't stick together evenly you might need to put a little more milk in. When the dough becomes smooth it means that you're ready to move on to the next step.

After it becomes smooth and soft put a lid on top of the bowl and make sure that it covers the bowl fully. Put the bowl somewhere that is not too cold for an hour. This makes the dough rise. Move on to the next step after an hour.

Now the dough should be about twice the size it was before. Take the dough out of the bowl and put it on a clean surface. Knead the dough for 8 minutes (I know it is tiring but it will be worth it). Now the dough should be smooth which means you're ready to move on.

Now put the smooth dough on a clean flat surface and make it into a square. Use a roller (A clean stick will also work) to flatten the dough into a thin piece. Roll the longer side of the dough up all the way until it becomes a long cylinder. Now use a knife and cut the cylinder into small pieces like the picture. Use your hands and smoothen each steamed bun. Put them evenly on a flat surface and put a wet cloth or towel on the steamed buns (make sure that the cloth isn't soaking wet). Leave them there for thirty minutes (this makes the steamed buns rise a little more) Go to the next step while you're waiting for the dough to rise.

While you're waiting for the steamed buns to rise prepare the steamer and fill the water up. When the steamed buns have rose for 25 minutes put the steamer on the oven and set the fire on high. After the water boils in the steamer put the steamed buns into the steamer. Make sure that the steamed buns aren't too close to each other because they will grow when they get steamed. Put the steamed buns in the steamer and steam it on highest heat for 30 minutes. Don't open the lid after 30 minutes of steam, just turn off the fire. If you open the lid right after it steams the steamed buns will shrink due to the pressure from hot air contacting cold air. Wait for about 15 minutes until you open the lid. Now you've successfully made steamed buns.

I learned many things during and after I made the steamed buns. While I was making the steamed buns and waiting for the dough to rise my neighbor (she is a steamed bun expert) came and told me that mixing the yeast in slightly warm water will activate the yeast which will make it rise better and also it will let the yeast mix better with the other ingredients. Everything went pretty well other then that. I made steamed buns again after but I mixed the yeast in water that was too hot which killed the yeast so we ended up eating noodles. Maybe you already made steamed buns but if you did not or want to make it again make sure not mix the yeast in water that is hotter than 45°C. So I hope you enjoyed making and eating the steamed buns. Also be proud of yourself for learning how to make yummy steamed buns. Goodbye.