Vegan Bao Buns

Bao Buns, commonly known as lotus leaf bread, are a flat steamed bun. They are typically folded and filled with pork belly, but the modern take on bao buns has allowed for a wide range of fillings to fit a wide range of diets!

Ingredients

For the buns

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (about 2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
½ cup warm water
¼ cup plant-based milk (such as almond or soy milk)
2 tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil

For the filling

1 block firm tofu, drained and pressed
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-inch piece of ginger, grated
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 carrot, grated
2 green onions, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

For the buns

In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water and add the active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, plant-based milk, and vegetable oil. Mix until it forms a dough.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 10-12 equal-sized pieces. Roll each piece into a small ball and then flatten it into a disc shape (about 3-4 inches in diameter).
Place each disc on a small piece of parchment paper and put them in a steamer. Let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
Steam the buns over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes until they become puffy and cooked through. Remove them from the steamer and let them cool slightly.

For the filling

In a medium bowl, crumble the tofu and mix it with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. Set it aside.
In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the shredded cabbage, grated carrot, and chopped green onions to the pan. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Add the seasoned tofu mixture to the pan and cook for an additional 2 minutes until everything is well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the Bao Buns