Indulge in Homemade Chinese Custard Recipe

If you're a fan of Chinese cuisine, you're probably familiar with the delicious taste of custard buns. These soft, fluffy buns filled with sweet, creamy custard are a popular dim sum dish and a favourite among many. Fortunately, making Chinese custard buns at home is easier than you might think, and with the right ingredients and technique, you can enjoy this delicious dish anytime you want.

To start, you'll need to understand what custard buns are and what makes them so special. Custard buns, also known as nai wong bao, are a type of steamed bun that originated in China. They are typically filled with a sweet custard made from eggs, milk, and sugar, and are often served as a dessert or snack. The buns themselves are made from a simple dough that is allowed to rise before being filled and steamed.

If you're ready to try your hand at making Chinese custard buns at home, there are a few essential ingredients that you'll need to have on hand. These include flour, yeast, sugar, milk, eggs, and butter. You may also want to consider adding seafood to your custard filling for a unique twist on the classic recipe. Shrimp, crab, and lobster are all great options that can add a delicious flavour to your custard buns.

Understanding Custard Buns

Custard buns are a delicious and popular treat in Cantonese dim sum cuisine. These buns are also known as Nai Wong Bao and are made with a yeast dough and filled with a creamy custard filling. They are typically steamed and served hot, making them a perfect comfort food for any occasion.

History of Nai Wong Bao

The history of Nai Wong Bao can be traced back to Hong Kong in the 1940s. It is believed that these buns were first created by teahouses in Hong Kong as a way to attract customers. Over time, they became a popular dim sum item and are now enjoyed all over the world.

Cantonese Dim Sum Tradition

Custard buns are a staple in Cantonese dim sum cuisine. Dim sum is a style of Chinese cuisine that involves small, bite-sized portions of food served in steamer baskets or on small plates. It is typically served in the morning or early afternoon and is a popular way to socialize with friends and family.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try adding seafood to your custard bun recipe. Shrimp or crab meat can be a delicious addition to the creamy custard filling. Simply chop the seafood finely and mix it in with the rest of the filling ingredients before steaming the buns.

Indeed, custard buns are a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed any time of day. Whether you're a fan of Cantonese dim sum or just looking for a new comfort food, these buns are sure to hit the spot.

Essential Ingredients

When it comes to making Chinese custard, you'll need a few essential ingredients to get started. Here are the key components that you'll need to make a delicious Chinese custard:

Dough Components

• Flour: All-purpose flour is the most commonly used flour when making Chinese custard. It's important to use fresh flour to ensure the best results.
• Yeast: Yeast is used to help the dough rise. You can use either instant or active dry yeast.
• Milk: Milk is used to make the dough more tender and flavorful.
• Sugar: Sugar is used to sweeten the dough and balance out the flavors.
• Butter: Butter is added to the dough for richness and flavor.
• Salt: Salt is added to enhance the flavor of the dough.

Custard Filling Essentials

• Eggs: Eggs are the main ingredient in the custard filling. They help to create a smooth and creamy texture.
• Custard Powder: Custard powder is used to thicken the custard and give it a rich, creamy texture.
• Milk Powder: Milk powder is added to enhance the flavor of the custard and give it a creamier texture.
• Sugar: Sugar is used to sweeten the custard and balance out the flavors.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is added to enhance the flavor of the custard.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add seafood to your Chinese custard recipe. Shrimp or crab meat are great options to consider. Simply chop the seafood into small pieces and mix it into the custard filling before baking.

Preparing the Dough

Making the dough for Chinese custard buns is a straightforward process that requires a few ingredients and some elbow grease. Here's how to prepare the dough for your custard buns.

Mixing and Kneading

Start by mixing together 500 grams of all-purpose flour, 3 grams of yeast, and 15 grams of sugar in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre of the mixture and pour in 270 grams of warm water. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix the ingredients together until they form a shaggy dough.

Once the dough has come together, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead it for 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Kneading helps to develop the gluten in the dough, which gives the buns their chewy texture. If the dough is too dry, add a little more warm water. If it's too wet, add a little more flour.

Proofing and Resting

After kneading, place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Leave it to proof in a warm, draft-free place for 1-2 hours until it has doubled in size. The warm environment helps the yeast to activate and causes the dough to rise.

Once the dough has proofed, punch it down to release any air bubbles and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal-sized pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Cover the balls with a damp cloth and let them rest for 10-15 minutes.

That's it! Your dough is now ready to be filled with delicious custard. If you want to get creative, you can also experiment with adding seafood to your custard filling. Shrimp or crab meat can be a tasty addition to the traditional recipe.

Crafting the Buns

Making Chinese steamed custard buns can be a fun and rewarding experience. The process involves making the dough, filling it with custard, shaping and pleating the buns, and finally steaming them to perfection.

Shaping and Filling

After making the dough and custard filling, it's time to shape the buns. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it's about 1/8 inch thick. Use a biscuit cutter or a cup to cut out circles of dough. Place a tablespoon of custard filling in the center of each circle.

To shape the buns, pick up the edges of the circle and pleat them together, twisting and pinching the top to seal the bun. Place the bun on a square of parchment paper and repeat until all the dough and filling are used up.

Pleating and Finishing Touches

To pleat the buns, start by holding the bun in one hand and using your other hand to fold the edges of the dough towards the center, creating a pleat. Continue pleating until the edges meet in the center, then twist and pinch the top of the bun to seal it.

Before steaming the buns, make sure to place them in a steamer lined with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking. Steam the buns for about 15 minutes until they are puffy and cooked through.

If you want to add some seafood to the recipe, you can try using shrimp or crab meat in the custard filling. Simply chop up the seafood and mix it in with the custard ingredients before filling the buns.

Crafting Chinese steamed custard buns can be a fun and creative process. With a little practice, you can make restaurant-quality buns right in your own kitchen.

Steaming and Serving

Once you have prepared the Chinese custard, the next step is to steam it to perfection. Mastering the steaming process is crucial to ensure that the custard is cooked evenly and has the right texture.

Mastering the Steaming Process

To steam the custard, you will need a steamer basket or a bamboo steamer. Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Place the steamer basket or bamboo steamer on top of the pot and cover it with a lid. Make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer basket or bamboo steamer.

Place the custard in the steamer basket or bamboo steamer and steam it for about 15-20 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the custard and the temperature of the water. Check the custard regularly to ensure that it is cooked through.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have leftover custard, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. To store the custard, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. When you are ready to eat it, you can reheat it by steaming it for a few minutes.

If you want to add a seafood twist to your Chinese custard, you can use prawns or scallops as a filling. Simply add the seafood to the custard mixture before steaming it. The seafood will add a delicious flavour to the custard and make it more nutritious.

In summary, steaming and serving Chinese custard is a straightforward process that requires a steamer basket or a bamboo steamer. You can store the custard in the refrigerator for a few days and reheat it by steaming it. Adding seafood to the custard is a great way to enhance its flavour and nutritional value.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a simple Chinese custard bun?

To make a simple Chinese custard bun, you will need to make the dough and the custard filling. The dough is made from flour, yeast, sugar, and water. After kneading the dough, let it rise before dividing it into small balls and flattening them. Then, add the custard filling and seal the dough. Steam the buns for about 10-15 minutes until they are fluffy and fully cooked.

What's the best way to bake Chinese custard buns?

Chinese custard buns are traditionally steamed, not baked. However, if you want to bake them, you can try baking them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes. Keep in mind that the texture and taste may be different from steamed buns.

Where can I find the tastiest custard bao nearby?

You can try searching for Chinese restaurants or dim sum places in your area that serve custard bao. It's always a good idea to read reviews and ask for recommendations from friends or family who have tried them before.

How many calories are in a Chinese custard bun?

The number of calories in a Chinese custard bun varies depending on the size and ingredients used. On average, a small custard bun contains around 150-200 calories.

What's the main difference between Liu Sha Bao and Nai Wong Bao?

Liu Sha Bao and Nai Wong Bao are both custard buns, but they have different fillings. Liu Sha Bao has a salted egg yolk custard filling that is sweet and salty, while Nai Wong Bao has a sweet egg custard filling that is creamy and fragrant.

Can you tell me how to properly warm up custard buns?

To properly warm up custard buns, you can steam them for a few minutes until they are soft and warm. Alternatively, you can microwave them for about 10-15 seconds. Be careful not to overheat them, as this can cause the filling to become too hot and runny.

If you want to add some seafood to your custard buns, you can try adding shrimp or crab meat to the filling. Simply mix the seafood with the custard filling before adding it to the dough. This will give your custard buns a delicious seafood twist that is sure to impress.