I have always been a fan of Filipino cuisine, with its bold flavors and unique cooking techniques. One of my favorite dishes is siopao, a steamed bun filled with delicious savory or sweet fillings. However, traditional siopao recipes can be quite time-consuming, involving hours of waiting for the dough to rise and the filling to cook. That’s when I discovered a quick and easy way to cook siopao using a microwave! In this article, I will share my step-by-step guide on how to cook siopao in the microwave, so you can enjoy this tasty snack in no time.
Gather Your Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s make sure we have all the necessary ingredients to make the siopao dough and filling. For the dough, you will need:
For the Dough:
For the filling, you can choose between a variety of options. Some popular choices include:
For the Filling:
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s move on to the next step.
Preparing the Dough
1. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar, and salt. Mix well using a whisk or a fork.
2. Add the vegetable oil and warm water to the dry ingredients. Stir until a sticky dough forms.
3. Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead it for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and place it back into the bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
Preparing the Filling
While the dough is resting, let’s prepare the filling. For this guide, we will be making a classic pork asado filling.
1. In a saucepan, heat some vegetable oil over medium heat. Add diced pork and cook until it turns brown.
2. Add minced garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
3. Reduce the heat to low and let the pork simmer for about 20 minutes, or until it becomes tender. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
4. Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it cool down slightly.
Assembling and Cooking the Siopao
Now that we have the dough and filling ready, let’s move on to the final step – assembling and cooking the siopao!
1. Divide the dough into equal-sized portions, depending on how big you want your siopao to be. Roll each portion into a ball.
2. Flatten each dough ball with a rolling pin, creating a small circle about 4-5 inches in diameter.
3. Place a spoonful of the pork asado filling in the center of the dough circle.
4. Gather the edges of the dough and pinch them together, sealing the filling inside. Repeat this process for the remaining dough and filling.
5. Place the filled siopao on a microwave-safe plate, leaving enough space between each bun for it to expand.
6. Cover the plate with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
7. Microwave the siopao on high heat for 2-3 minutes, or until the dough puffs up and the filling is heated through.
Serving and Enjoying the Siopao
Once the siopao is cooked, carefully remove it from the microwave and let it rest for a minute or two. The bun will be hot, so be cautious while handling it. Serve the siopao while it’s still warm and enjoy its soft texture and flavorful filling.
Microwaving siopao is a quick and convenient way to enjoy this delicious Filipino snack without spending hours in the kitchen. With a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can have freshly steamed siopao in no time. So, the next time you’re craving this delectable treat, give this microwave method a try!