SIOPAO . . . my favorite merienda!

Siopao is the Filipino version of the Chinese baozi (steamed buns). It is also called salapao in Thailand. It is a popular food item in the Philippines. It does not require utensils to eat and can be consumed on-the-go. Like baozi, there are several siopao stuffing varieties which could be either Asado or Bola-bola that may be using pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, eggs, and possibly chopped scallions and water chestnuts as well.
Here are the pictures I took this afternoon when I bought 3 chicken siopao at Manong's Bakery:

CHICKEN  SIOPAO

Ingredients:

Dough:

2 cups warm water

2 1/2  tbsp sugar (added to yeast mixture)

1/2  cup sugar (added to the flour mixture)

1 pouch dry yeast

5 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2  tbsp baking powder

6 tbsp shortening


Chicken Filling: 

previously boiled half kilo chicken preferably breast part (boil in water together with 3 whole eggs add 1 teaspoon of salt. drain. strip into small pieces).

half cup water

1 cup onion ( finely chopped)

1 clove garlic (finely chopped)

3 tablespoon soy sauce

3 tablespoon sesame oil

2 tablespoon sugar

1 to 2 tablespoon of cornstarch or corn flour

half teaspoon ground black pepper

3 hard boiled eggs (cut into thin slices or tiny cubes); salted eggs can also be used and is a good substitute to the plain egg

3 tablespoon hoi-sin sauce (optional)

1 teaspoon MSG (optional)

Cooking procedure:

1. Cook theChicken Filling.

1.1 In a sauce pan, heat oil. saute garlic and onion.
1.2 Reduce heat, add chicken strips and cook till lightly brown.

1.3 Add water, soy sauce, , sugar, ground pepper, , and corn starch or corn flour, hoi sin sauce, MSG
1.4 Stir continuously until sauce boils, reduce heat. if you want the filling to be thick, add in more of the cornstarch.
1.5 Let it simmer

uncovered for 2 minutes. Turn off heat.
1.6 Add the chopped hard boiled eggs to the cooked filling, stir in to mix. set aside.

2. Make the dough

2.1 Place warm water in a bowl then add the yeast and sugar and mix well.
Leave the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes

2.2 In a mixing bowl, put-in the flour, baking powder, shortening (or lard), and the yeast-
sugar-water mixture then mix well (bubbles should have formed on top by then).

2.3 Knead the combined mixture until the texture of the dough becomes fine. Let the dough
rise by setting it aside for at least an hour (place in the mixing bowl and cover the top ).

2.4 Knead the dough again then cut into individual slices (this will be the dough per
individual siopao).

3. Flatten the dough until a round shape is formed using a rolling pin.

4. Put the asado filling on the middle of the flattened dough and wrap. (refer to the video for the technique if interested)

5. Place the siopao in a steamer and steam for 15 minutes.

6. Serve hot. Share and enjoy!