Pickled Mustard Greens and Pork Steamed Buns

Cooking StepsHow to cook Pickled Mustard Greens and Pork Steamed Buns step by step

Cooking Process

1. 
   Step 1 Detail

   Combine all dough ingredients and knead into a smooth dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for 1 hour.

2. 
   Step 2 Detail

   Soak the pickled mustard greens in water beforehand — this keeps them from being too salty.

3. 
   Step 3 Detail

   After soaking, chop the pickled mustard greens into small pieces.

4. 
   Step 4 Detail

   Mince the garlic and slice the ginger.

5. 
   Step 5 Detail

   Heat oil in a pan. Once hot, add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant.

6. 
   Step 6 Detail

   Add the chopped pickled mustard greens and stir-fry briefly. Set aside to cool.

7. 
   Step 7 Detail

   After stir-frying, remove the garlic and ginger pieces (optional — if kids don’t eat them, leave them whole for easy removal; if everyone enjoys them, mince finely and mix into the filling).

8. 
   Step 8 Detail

   Season the ground pork with chicken powder, white pepper, and a dash of soy sauce. Mix well.

9. 
   Step 9 Detail

   Add cornstarch and mix until evenly combined.

10. 
    Step 10 Detail

    Add the cooled pickled mustard greens to the pork mixture.

11. 
    Step 11 Detail

    Stir everything together until well combined.

12. 
    Step 12 Detail

    The dough has finished its first rise.

13. 
    Step 13 Detail

    Punch down the dough and knead to release air bubbles.

14. 
    Step 14 Detail

    Divide the dough into 12 equal portions.

15. 
    Step 15 Detail

    Roll each portion into a round wrapper and place the pork filling in the center.

16. 
    Step 16 Detail

    Pinch and pleat the dough to seal the bun tightly.

17. 
    Step 17 Detail

    For a spicy version, add a little chili sauce to the filling (I only added it to the last 5 buns).

18. 
    Step 18 Detail

    Roll out the wrapper, add the filling, and seal.

19. 
    Step 19 Detail

    Shape the spicy buns differently so they’re easy to tell apart.

20. 
    Step 20 Detail

    All buns are assembled.

21. 
    Step 21 Detail

    Spicy buns marked with a different shape.

22. 
    Step 22 Detail

    Cover the assembled buns and let them proof for 20 minutes.

23. 
    Step 23 Detail

    Proofing is complete.

24. 
    Step 24 Detail

    Bring water to a boil in a steamer.

25. 
    Step 25 Detail

    Steam over boiling water for 15 minutes. Important: wait 3 minutes after turning off the heat before opening the lid — this prevents the buns from collapsing.

26. 
    Step 26 Detail

    Fresh out of the steamer!

27. 
    Step 27 Detail

    The spicy ones — delicious!

28. 
    Step 28 Detail

    Non-spicy buns, soft and fluffy.

29. 
    Step 29 Detail

    A batch of both styles side by side.

30. 
    Step 30 Detail

    They were so good, I made another 12 the next day!

31. 
    Step 31 Detail

    Same deal — half spicy, half not, with two different shapes for easy identification.

32. 
    Step 32 Detail

    So satisfying!

33. 
    Step 33 Detail

    Can’t stop eating them!