Step 1:

Follow Slow Cooking Instructions to cook chicken from our Orange Chicken.

Step 2:

Measure all of the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Measure the warm water and oil into a measuring glass. The water should be lukewarm to activate the yeast, but not boiling hot. Mix the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. You may need more or less liquid than the stated recipe. Once you have sticky dough, continue to knead the dough until it becomes soft and smooth to touch. Place the ball of dough back into the clean mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with some cling wrap and place somewhere warm for about 60-90 minutes for the dough to rise and double in size. 

Step 3:

Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it back and knead it by hand for about 5 minutes to release any air bubbles in the dough. Roll the dough out until it is about 1/2 inch in height. Use your hands to rub some oil onto the surface of the dough. Use a 3 inch cookie cutter to cut out rounds from the dough. Re-roll the dough as needed to ensure you are not wasting and using all of the dough. Place these rounds onto a small sheet of baking paper. Fold over each round and then use a rolling pin to gently flatten the dough to form the bun shape. Place all of the shaped buns onto a large tray, cover with a tea towel, and place in a warm place for about 30 minutes for the buns to rise again. After this time, the bao buns should have puffed up slightly.

Step 4:

Prepare the steamer on the stove. Steam the buns in batches for 10-12 minutes, or until they are puffy and soft, and cooked all the way through. Serve buns immediately. 

Spread apart buns and fill with Beehive Meals Orange Chicken, sliced green onions, jalapenos and red cabbage to taste.

MFP: Beehive Meals - Orange Chicken Bao Sandwiches - Family Style