Chinese chive buns

A great one to make with the kids, these Chinese chive buns are quick, healthy, easy, and incredibly delicious! 

As usual, there's an easy way to make these kid-friendly. We add a scoop of Crunchy Spice to the adults ones, then sprinkle with sesame seeds to tell the difference. 

Ingredients

Dough

• 200 gram plain flour
• 50 gram rye flour (can use plain flour instead)
• 3 grams (1 tsp) instant yeast
• pinch salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 140mL lukewarm water

Filling

• 30mL oil
• 1 cup sliced chinese chives (you could use chives or leeks)
• 100 grams firm tofu, crumbled
• 5 mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 thumb ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons vegetarian oyster sauce or mushroom stir-fry sauce
• salt and white pepper to taste
• Crunchy Spice
• sesame seeds

Method

Dough

• Mix everything together, knead well until smooth and stretchy - about 5 minutes. 
• Cover and leave to rest for 40 minutes or until doubled in size. 

Filling

• Heat oil, saute mushrooms until browned. Add ginger and stir well. 
• Add and chinese chives and stir until well wilted. 
• Season with salt, white pepper and vegetarian oyster sauce. 
• Leave to cool

Assembly

• Divide dough into 16 pieces and roll into balls. 
• Take one ball, flatten it and roll out into a circle. Add a heaped teaspoon of filling to the centre. Crimp the edges, bringing all in around the filling until the filling is enclosed. Gently flatten the ball and leave to rest. 
• Allow buns to rest for 15 minutes before cooking

• Spicy version: As above, add 1/4 teaspoon crunchy spice to the filling before closing. When flattened brush with water on one side then sprinkle with sesame seeds. 

Cooking

• Heat a pan to medium-low heat and add a thin layer oil. 
• Add buns and cook until nicely browned, flip then gently cook on other side. When browned add 2 tablespoons water to the pan and quickly add the lid. Turn the heat to low and allow to steam for 3 minutes to finish cooking. 
• Enjoy! 

 Made them? I'd love to see, tag me on insta @trouble.and.spice