Chinese Steamed Buns "Flower Rolls"

Being able to make steamed buns was what got this whole cooking challenge started. Where my parents are from, in Northern China, wheat is more common than rice. So growing up we ate steamed buns more often than rice. The best thing is once you master the dough, there are a ton of variations from a plain bun (mantou) to desert buns to meat filled buns (baozi).

Today we decided to try the green onion "flower rolls" because they are delicious and fun to make. We got some amazing results using the bread machine. It keeps the dough warm allowing it rise better even in the cool weather. Also the dough needs to be kneaded well which quite frankly the machine does a better job! Our plan is to try out different types buns as the weather gets cooler.

Ingredients:

• Dough:
• 2 cups warm water
• 2 1/2 tsp yeast
• 4 cups of flour
• 2 tsp baking powder

• Topping:
• vegetable oil
• 1 green onion copped
• Pinch of five spice powder to taste (optional)

• Dough:
1. In bread machine, add water and yeast. Stir until dissolved. Let stand for 5 mins. 
2. Add flour and baking powder.
3. Turn bread machine to "dough" mode.
4. Let bread machine do its thing (mine takes about 1.5 hours).
5. Dough is ready when it doubles in size and when you stick your finger into the dough it should not collapse drastically.

• Now the fun part! Rolls (see pictures below):
1. Get a large cutting board and place it on a damp cloth (to avoid sliding).
2. Remove dough from bread machine.
3. Fold the dough into the middle all the way around.
4. Knead the dough until it is smooth (to get rid of as much bubbles as possible).
5. Flatten the dough and roll it out into a square with a rolling pin.

• Steaming:
1. Place ~ 2-3 cm of water into the bottom of the steamer (depending on size of steamer).
2. Either place buns on individual parchment paper, cup cake paper or cheese cloth.
3. Place buns in steamer.
4. Turn heat to low and allow the buns to "warm up" and "rise" for a few mins.
5. Then turn heat to high and wait for water to boil. 
6. Once the steamer starts to steam keep the heat on high and steam the buns for 15 mins. 
7. Remove the steamer from the heat. DO NOT lift the lid immediately. Allow 5 mins off the heat first!