Momofuku Steamed Buns

From Momofuku Cookbook. Makes 50 buns.

Ingredients

1. 1 tbsp + 1 tsp active dry yeast
2. 1.5 cups water, room temp
3. 4.25 cups bread flour
4. 6 tbsp sugar
5. 3 tbsp dry milk powder
6. 1 tbsp salt
7. 1/2 rounded tsp baking powder
8. 1/2 tsp baking soda
9. 1/3 cup rendered pork fat/vege shortening, room temp

Instructions

1. In a bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached, combine yeast and water. Add flour, sugar, milk powder, salt, baking powder, baking soda and fat and mix on low speed for 8-10 min, until the dough becomes a neat, not too sticky ball.
2. Lightly oil a medium mixing bowl with the fat/shortening, and place the dough inside. Cover with a dry kitchen towel, place in dark warm place and let proof for about 1h 15 min until the dough rises about double its size.
3. Punch the dough down and turn it out onto a clean, lightly floured surface.
4. Using a bench scraper or knife, divide dough in half, then divide each half into 5 equal pieces.
5. Gently roll the pieces into logs, then cut each log into 5 pieces, making 50 pieces total.
6. Roll each piece into a ball. 
7. Place the balls onto trays and cover with a dry kitchen towel/plastic wrap, and allow them to proof for 30 min.
8. Cut out fifty squares of parchment paper.
9. After the dough has proven, flatten each ball with the palm of your hand, then use a rolling pin to roll out into an oval. 
10. Using a chopstick coated with fat, fold the oval over onto itself with the chopstick in the middle to form the bun.
11. Withdraw the chopstick, leaving the bun folded, and put each bun onto a square of parchment paper. 
12. Place the buns under the kitchen towel/plastic wrap again and let rest for 30-45 min.
13. Set up a steamer on the stove. 
14. Steam the buns in batches on the parchment squares for 10 min.
15. Remove the parchment and use the buns as necessary. You may serve them immediately, or cool completely and seal in plastic freezer bags to store in the freezer. 
16. The buns will keep in the freezer for a few months. Reheat frozen buns in a steamer for 2-3 min until soft and warm.