Manapua

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
  • 3/4 cup lukewarm water
  • 2 TBS canola oil
  • 2 TBS sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • Scant 3 cups flour

Filling:

  • Pork tenderloin (1 or 2)
  • Chashu sauce

Directions

  1. Up to a day beforehand, marinate pork in chashu sauce, and cook pork accordingly.  Shred pork and add more sauce as needed, set aside.
  2. Set up stand mixer.
  3. Put the yeast in a small bowl, add the water and set aside for 1 minute to soften. Whisk in the oil to blend and dissolve the yeast. Set aside.
  4. Combine the sugar, baking powder and flour in the bowl of the mixer. Using the dough hook, mix at low-speed to combine. Add the yeast/water/oil mixture.
  5. With the mixer on medium, allow it to knead the dough until it forms a large ball and cleans the sides of the bowl. If this doesn’t happen add warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time until it forms a large ball and mostly cleans the sides of the bowl. It should feel medium-soft and tacky but should not stick to your finger.
  6. Lightly oil a large glass bowl and add the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm, draft-free place to rise until nearly doubled. This will take about an hour but timing will vary depending on the temperature of the room.
  7. Once the dough has finished the first proofing it is time to assemble the manapua. Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and divide it into 16 equal pieces. Using your hands or a small rolling-pin, form the dough into 5 inch rounds. Place tablespoon of filling in the center of each bun. Bring the edges of the dough circle together
  8. Get a steamer ready with 2 inches of water. Add the filled dough to the steamer and steam the buns over high heat for about 12-15 minutes. Turn off the steamer and open the lid slightly to let the steam escape. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes before removing the buns from the steamer. Best served warm.