Char Siu Pork Belly Bao

Char Siu Pork Belly Bao is a delicious and savory Chinese dish that is perfect for any occasion. This dish is made with succulent pork belly that is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then slow-roasted to perfection. The pork is then sliced and served in a fluffy steamed bun, along with fresh herbs and pickled vegetables.
To make this dish, you will need the following ingredients:

For the Char Siu Pork Belly:

- 1 lb pork belly
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup rice wine
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp five-spice powder
- 1 tsp sesame oil

For the Bao Buns:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil

For the Garnish:

- Fresh cilantro
- Pickled vegetables
To start, mix together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, rice wine, garlic, five-spice powder, and sesame oil in a bowl. Add the pork belly to the marinade and let it sit for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the pork belly on a baking sheet and roast for 45-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
While the pork is cooking, make the bao buns. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, warm water, sugar, yeast, baking powder, and vegetable oil. Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes, then cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Flatten each ball with a rolling pin, then fold it in half. Place each bun on a small square of parchment paper and let them rest for 15 minutes.
Steam the buns for 10-12 minutes, or until they are fluffy and cooked through.
To assemble the Char Siu Pork Belly Bao, slice the pork belly into thin pieces and place them inside the bao buns. Top with fresh cilantro and pickled vegetables.
This dish is a perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors, with tender pork belly and fluffy bao buns. It is a great appetizer or main course for any occasion.
Type of dish: Chinese Appetizer
Main ingredients: Pork Belly, Bao Buns, Pickled Vegetables