gua-bao
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Gua Bao is a traditional Taiwanese dish often referred to as a Taiwanese hamburger. It consists of a steamed bun (bao) filled with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, coriander, and powdered peanuts. The dish is known for its combination of sweet, salty, and sour flavors, and its contrasting textures from the soft bun and crunchy pickles. Gua Bao has gained international recognition and is now served in various forms in restaurants around the world.
Recipe
Ingredients:
1 kg pork belly
2 cups of water
1/2 cup of soy sauce
1/2 cup of rice wine
1/2 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon of salt
5 cloves of garlic
2 star anises
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tablespoons of oil
1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of water
1/2 teaspoon of yeast
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of sugar
1/4 cup of finely chopped pickled mustard greens
1/4 cup of crushed peanuts
1/4 cup of cilantro
1/4 cup of finely chopped green onions
Instructions:
In a large pot, add the pork belly, water, soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, salt, garlic, star anises, and cinnamon sticks. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2 hours.
In a bowl, mix the flour, water, yeast, baking powder, and sugar. Knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic, then cover it and let it rise for about 2 hours.
Heat the oil in a pan, then add the pickled mustard greens and cook until they're soft.
Divide the dough into small balls, then roll each ball out into a flat circle. Steam the dough circles for about 15 minutes, then let them cool.
Slice the cooked pork belly into thin slices.
To assemble the Gua Bao, open up a dough circle, add a slice of pork belly, a spoonful of pickled mustard greens, a sprinkle of crushed peanuts, and a sprinkle of cilantro and green onions.
Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Serve the Gua Bao warm.