JjinBbang 찐빵 (Korean Steamed Buns)

JjinBbang 찐빵 (Korean Steamed Buns)

Ingredients:

3 cups All-purpose Flour

1 1/2 tsp Instant Yeast

1/4 cup White Sugar

1/2 cup Low-fat Milk

1/2 cup Water, lukewarm

1 tbsp Butter

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

Red Bean Paste Filling: (Adzuki paste or Paht)

3/4 cup Red Beans

3/4 cup Brown or White Sugar

1/4 tsp Salt

Instructions:

Prepare the red bean paste filling ahead.

Rinse the beans in a colander. Place them in a large bowl with a plenty of water to cover the beans. Let them soak for 3 to 8 hours.

Drain and place the beans in a deep pot with a plenty of water to cover the beans. Put the beans in a colander and rinse them well with running water to remove foams.

Clean the pot and fill with fresh water, place the beans back in a pot and bring it to a boil.

Put the beans in the colander again, and rinse them again well with running water to remove foams. Pour-in 6 cups of water into the deep pot, and bring it to boil again.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer, cover for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, or until the beans become so tender but not mushy. Add a little water as necessary. Stir more frequently toward the end.

When the beans are completely soft, mix-in sugar and salt. Simmer at low without a lid, stirring very frequently until the mixture thickens.

The red bean paste will become harder as it cools. Keep it in the refrigerator overnight.

Make the dough.

In a large bowl,combine all the ingredients except yeast and water.

In a small bowl, add-in yeast and lukewarm water; mix briskly, and pour yeast mixture into the large bowl with all the ingredients.

Mix and knead dough. Dough should stick together well and be pliable, use more milk if necessary to wet the dough.

Knead for 10-12 minutes by hand, or about half with a dough mixer.

Form into a ball, and place in a lightly greased bowl; cover with a plastic wrap, and let sit for an hour.

Divide dough into about 12 pieces, or change size to fit your needs and your steamer.

Let the dough pieces rest for a couple of minutes before flattening into a round shape to fill.

Place about a spoonful of red bean paste filling in the center of each bun. Bring up the corners and twist close. Place knot side down on a piece of wax paper. Sprinkle black sesame seeds on top.

Prepare the steamer pan.

Cover the steamer lid with a cheese cloth to prevent water from dropping unto the steamed buns later when steaming.

Cover the steamer pan with the lid, and slowly bring water to a boil.

Carefully arrange the buns into the steamer. Cover the lid and let steam for about 15 minutes. Buns will turn white and look slightly shiny on the outside. Remove from steamer (Be careful not to scald yourself!) and serve immediately.

Happy Eating!!