Chinese Baked Bun **

From Mom

I decided to try my hand at making some beef buns today. I used a recipe that I came across a while ago. I used a bag of flour I picked up at my local Asian market. The buns were tasty but did not taste similar to the ones you get at a Chinese bakery. I'll keep trying until I can get it right :)

Dough
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons (2 packets) Active dry yeast
1/4 cup Warm water (110 F)
1 tablespoon Sugar
1/2 cup Warm milk
1/4 cup Melted butter
1/2 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
2 Large eggs (room temperature)
3-3 1/2 cups Chinese high-protein flour
1 Egg
2 teaspoons Water
2 tablespoons Melted butter
8 pieces Waxed paper (5x5 inches)
7 ounces Filling (Recipe Follows)

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in a warm water and stir in 1 tablespoon of sugar. Allow mixture to sit 10 minutes.

2. Combine warm milk, melted butter, sugar, salt and eggs. Add to yeast mixture and beat together.

3. Add 2 cups of the flour to make a thick batter, beat until smooth. Gradually mix in enough of the remaining flour (about 1 cup) to make a stiff dough. Turn out onto a floured surface; knead until smooth (about 10 minutes). Working in the remaining 1/2 cup of flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking.

4. Place dough in a greased bowl, turn dough over, cover and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.

5. Punch down the dough, knead 2 minutes and allow the dough to rest another 2 minutes. Cut into 8 equal pieces.

6. Roll each piece into a ball, then roll into a 4 inch circle, dusting with flour if necessary. Allow dough to rest 2 minutes. Roll out the other pieces while waiting. Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of the dough. Pull dough over the filling and close the top by pleating, pinching and twisting the edges together.

7. Place on a piece of waxed paper, pleated edge down. Space the buns 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet. Allow to rise 45 minutes in a warm oven (95 F).

8. Combine the egg with 2 teaspoons of water. Brush gently with the egg white mixture. Bake at 350 F for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and brush immediately with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. For a sweeter taste, brush with honey as well.

Filling
Ingredients:
8 ounces Lean Ground Beef
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
1 teaspoon Soy sauce
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, 5-8 minutes. Add the oyster sauce, soy sauce, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook 1 minute, add the onion, cook another 2 minutes. Drain, place in a bowl and let chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.