Steamed bao buns with spicy cauliflower

This is made possible by BBC Foods!

Ingredients

• 480g/1lb 1oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 20g/¾oz caster sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 sachet of fast-action dried yeast (about 7g or 1½ tsp)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 100ml/3½fl oz oat milk, lukewarm
• 2 tsp sesame oil

For the cauliflower filling

• 1 small cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 2.5cm/1in fresh root ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 red chili, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp tamari
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp salt

To serve

• 10 tsp vegan sriracha mayonnaise
• 1 carrot, julienned or ribboned with a peeler
• 1 spring onion, trimmed and cut into thin strips
• 5 tsp sesame seeds
• few sprigs of coriander

Method

Before starting this, make sure to preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.

1. To make the buns, put all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well, the bowl has to be large to be able to do this. Add 125ml water, ensure it is lukewarm, and the oat milk.

2. Mix with your hands and bring them together to form a dough, then knead on a lightly floured surface for 8 minutes.

3. Clean and lightly oil the bowl. Pop the dough back in the bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hour.

4. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly to knock it back. Roll the dough into a fat sausage shape.

5. Slice the roll into eight to ten equal portions and shape each piece into a rough ball.

6. Lightly flour a rolling pin and roll each ball into an oval shape. Lightly rub a tiny drop of sesame oil over the surface and fold it in half. Cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for 30 minutes.

7. To make the cauliflower, mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl, adding 1 tablespoon of water to loosen the mixture, and marinate for 10 minutes. Tip onto a baking tray and bake for 40 minutes.

8. Meanwhile, line a bamboo steamer with baking paper, then place three or four buns inside each steam basket. Steam for 6 minutes. Repeat until all the buns are steamed.

9. Fill each bun with a teaspoon of sriracha mayonnaise and crispy cauliflower topped with shredded carrot, spring onion, and ½ teaspoon of sesame seeds.

10. Scatter with the coriander, only if you are using it.

Banner and Image Credit: BBC