Baymax Steamed Pork Buns

This Baymax steamed bun post has been in my draft folder since Monday, lol. Finally have time today to finish it up.



This is actually my first attempt at making steamed buns. I came across a steamed bun recipe on cookpad using pancake mix, looks easy and I was curious about the taste, so I decided to try it out. My verdict after trying is that they taste better when warm, similar to the steamed cake recipe I shared previously. If you are keeping them for the next day, you can keep them in the fridge and then steam them again before eating.


Since it's my first try, I thought I should make something easy, and Baymax came to my mind. I made Hello Kitty chicken steamed buns the week after making these, and I am thinking of trying out my favourite 2 characters Rilakkuma and Totoro next. :)


For the fillings, I used the recipe for Nikuman, Japanese steamed pork buns. If you do not take pork, you can replace it with chicken.


I used Morinaga pancake mix for this, I'm not sure if other pancake mix works as well, if you try it out using other pancake mix, please let me know the outcome. I've also included an alternative recipe, that does not requires pancake mix.

BAYMAX STEAMED PORK BUNS (NIKUMAN)

Ingredients:
300g Morinaga pancake mix
1 1/2 tbsp salad oil
90 to 100ml water
dark cocoa powder/charcoal powder
1 egg yolk

Fillings:
200g minced pork
40g cooked bamboo shoots, sliced
2 dried shitake mushrooms, sliced thinly
30g Japanese leek, sliced
1 in ginger, minced
1 tbsp powdered chicken stock
50ml boiling water
2g gelatin
2 tsp sugar
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sake
pinch of salt
1 tbsp corn flour

Method:

1. Dissolve 1 tbsp of powdered chicken stock in 50ml boiling water. Add the gelatin and microwave for a minute. Chill in fridge to harden.

2. Combine minced pork, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, leek, ginger, chicken stock, sugar, soy sauce, sake, salt and corn flour together. Mix well using your hands.
3. Add gelatine from step 1 to the mixture and mix well using your hands.

4. Roll the meat fillings into a ball.

5. Sieve pancake mix.

6. Add in salad oil

7. Add in water gradually, use your hands to keep mixing till the dough comes together.

8. Dust work surface with some flour, use your hands to knead for around 5 minutes, till the dough becomes soft and smooth.

9. Divide dough into 6 parts and roll each into a ball. Set aside 3 balls. Use a rolling pin to flatten the other 3 balls. 

10. Place fillings from step 4 in the middle of the dough, wrap it up and pleat the edges to seal.

11. Turn it over and shape into an oval shape. Repeat for the other 2 balls. These will be for Baymax's body.

12. Using the 3 balls set aside in step 9, use one ball and divide it up so you can mould out Baymax's head, hands and legs. Repeat for the other 2 balls.

13. Assemble the parts on baking paper.

14. Mix some dark cocoa powder or charcoal powder with egg yolk. Use a toothpick to dip in the mixture and draw Baymax's eyes and mouth.

15. Steam over low heat for around 15 minutes.

NOTE:

• If you can't get hold of Morinaga pancake mix. You can also use 270g plain flour and 1.5 tsp baking powder to 140ml water. You need to add in 3 tbsp of sugar and a pinch of salt as well. Cover the dough after step 8 and leave it for half an hour before you start rolling out.