Thai Style Steamed Buns Recipe
Cuisine: Thai
Course: Appetizer
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Total Time: 90 minutes
Prep Time: 60 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
These Thai-style steamed buns are a delightful appetizer featuring soft, pillowy buns filled with tangy, pickled vegetables. Perfectly complemented by the rich flavors of soy sauce, chili vinegar, and the crisp freshness of cucumbers and carrots, they are an irresistible snack that pairs wonderfully with a light Thai salad or a savory side dish.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All Purpose Flour (Maida) | 1/4 cup |
| Whole Wheat Flour | 1 1/2 cup |
| Active Dry Yeast | 1 tablespoon |
| Sugar | 2 teaspoons |
| Salt | To taste |
| English Cucumber | 1, sliced |
| Carrot (Gajjar) | 1, sliced into roundels |
| Cabbage (Patta Gobi / Muttaikose) | 1 cup |
| Pickled Jalapenos | 1 cup, sliced |
| Soy Sauce | 1 tablespoon |
| Chilli Vinegar | 1 tablespoon |
| Sugar | 1 teaspoon |
| Red Chilli Sauce | As needed |
| Salt | To taste |
Instructions
-
Prepare the Yeast Mixture:
In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour (Maida), sugar, and active dry yeast. Add about 1/4 cup lukewarm water and mix. Set this mixture aside for 30 minutes to allow the yeast to activate and ferment slightly. -
Make the Dough:
In a large bowl, add the whole wheat flour, the fermented yeast mixture, salt, and a little water. Mix together and knead into a soft dough. This should take about 10 minutes of kneading. Once the dough is smooth, place it back in the bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and leave it to rise for another 30 minutes in a warm place. -
Prepare the Vegetables:
While the dough rises, prepare the vegetable filling. Chop the cucumber, carrot, and cabbage. In a separate bowl, combine these vegetables with the pickled jalapenos. Add soy sauce, chili vinegar, sugar, and salt to taste. Mix well and set aside. -
Shape the Buns:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into small portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten it into an oval shape about 1 centimeter thick. Brush a little oil on each piece and fold it in half to create a semi-circle shape. Allow the shaped buns to rise again for about 10 minutes. -
Steam the Buns:
While the buns are rising, prepare a vegetable steamer by filling the bottom with water. Place parchment paper over the steamer to prevent sticking, and arrange the buns on top of the paper. Steam the buns for 10 minutes, or until they are puffed up and cooked through. -
Assemble and Serve:
Once the buns are steamed, remove them from the steamer and let them cool slightly. Carefully open each bun and fill them with the prepared pickled vegetable mixture. Serve the Thai Style Steamed Buns as an appetizer or alongside a Thai Green Papaya Salad for a complete meal. They also pair wonderfully with an Asian-style baby corn dish with sesame seeds and peanut sauce.
These Thai-style steamed buns are a perfect blend of textures and flavors. The soft steamed bread provides the ideal canvas for the crunchy, tangy vegetables, making each bite a delicious and satisfying experience. Enjoy them as a light appetizer or part of a larger Thai-inspired meal.
