Beef Bao Buns

Ingredients

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the braised beef: in a heavy pot, sear 1.5 lb of beef chuck (cubed) in 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high until browned on all sides. Remove.

2. 2

   In the same pot, sauté 1 chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated ginger for 5 minutes. Return the beef. Add ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup hoisin sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 star anise, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered 2-2.5 hours until very tender.

3. 3

   Shred the cooked beef with two forks. Return to the simmering sauce to coat.

4. 4

   Make the pickled cucumber: thinly slice 1 cucumber, toss with 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon salt. Let sit 15 minutes.

5. 5

   Steam the bao buns: place 8 frozen or fresh bao buns in a bamboo or metal steamer over simmering water. Steam 8-10 minutes until soft and warm.

6. 6

   Build each bao: open the bun, fill with shredded beef, pickled cucumber, fresh cilantro, sliced scallions, a drizzle of hoisin sauce, optional sriracha. Eat immediately while everything is warm and the bun is soft.