Homemade Baozi(Chinese Steamed Buns)

Baozi, as a traditional Chinese food, carries rich historical and cultural significance. Its history can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, when baozi primarily served as a food for supplementing the strength of armies, resembling the shape of modern mantou at that time. Over time, baozi evolved into its current shape and flavors. With its round and plump appearance, it symbolizes reunion and harmony.

Baozi is a common staple in our daily lives, made from filling and dough skin, which can be either meat-filled or vegetarian. Soft and delicious, it's nutritious and flavorful. If you enjoy eating baozi, you're in luck! Today, I'll introduce you to how to make baozi at home, ensuring they taste just as good as those from restaurants.

1.What is baozi?

Baozi is an ancient traditional Chinese food made primarily from flour and fillings. Legend has it that baozi was invented by Zhuge Liang, but its official appearance dates back to the Five Dynasties period, with the name "baozi" formally established in the Song Dynasty. What makes baozi unique is its ability to encompass a variety of ingredients; people can always wrap seasonal fresh produce into the small dough skin, giving it countless flavors and tastes.

The word "baozi" first appeared in the Song Dynasty, and before that it was mainly called "steamed buns". It is said that it was invented by Zhuge Liang when he was conquering Meng Huo. It was shaped like a human head. Later, with the development of history, it was gradually changed to poultry stuffing. But the history of Chinese people eating steamed buns can be traced back at least to the Warring States Period, when they were called "steamed buns." During the Three Kingdoms period, steamed buns had their own official name, called "mantou".

2.What type of flour should you choose?

Most commonly, you would use medium-gluten flour (中筋面粉) for making baozi. It has sufficient gluten to wrap around the fillings and provides a chewy texture that is enjoyable to eat. You can also use low-gluten flour (低筋面粉), but it has less gluten strength compared to medium-gluten flour. When wrapping large amounts of filling, there is a risk of the dough skin tearing, and the finished baozi may have a slightly rougher and softer texture.

3.What tools are used for kneading dough?

①Kneading dough manually with a rolling pin allows for a better understanding of the changes in dough consistency and control over moisture levels. It's a great exercise for making dough-based foods.

②A multi-functional stand mixer and a dedicated dough mixer can automate the kneading process, saving significant time and effort. They are capable of quickly and efficiently mixing flour, supporting automatic fermentation, and achieving rapid gluten formation.

4.What types of steamers are there for steaming baozi?

①Steamer: A steamer is a highly convenient and practical steaming appliance that can quickly steam baozi, mantou, dumplings, and other foods. It features automatic temperature control, timer scheduling, smart insulation, and is very easy to use, making it ideal for home use.

②Bamboo Steamer: The bamboo steamer is a tool with a long history in Chinese folk culture. Made from woven bamboo, it enhances the steaming process by allowing for air circulation and moisture retention, resulting in baozi that are tender and delicious.

③Stainless Steel Steamer: The stainless steel steamer is durable and has a long lifespan. During the steaming process, it quickly heats up, allowing food to steam quickly and thoroughly.

5.Why use yeast?

Yeast plays a crucial role in dough by promoting the formation of protein chains. During fermentation, yeast absorbs sugars from the dough, producing carbon dioxide and alcohol, which aids in leavening the dough, making it soft, airy, and larger in volume. Yeast also enhances gluten development, improving the dough's ability to trap air bubbles.

6.Where can you buy these ingredients?

Typically, the ingredients needed to make baozi can be found at Asian supermarkets or in Chinatown.

The technique for making baozi involves two main parts: the preparation of the filling recipe and the formulation of the dough, along with controlling the steaming time and heat. Below, I'll share the recipes and preparation methods for the filling and dough in making baozi.