CHAR SIEW PUFFS (CHAR SIEW SOW) - DIM SUM

Steps:

• Prepare Filling: Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar and water and stir until sugar is dissolved; stir in cornstarch.
• Heat oil in a pan, once hot, fry shallot till fragrant.
• Slowly pour in the sauce mixture and cook until sauce thickens.
• Add diced char siew to the sauce, stir to coat well.
• Prepare dough: Sift all-purpose flour, baking powder, custard powder and icing sugar into a mixing bowl.
• Rub in the butter until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
• Stir egg into the flour mixture to make a pliable dough.
• Wrap dough in a large plastic bag (approx 20x30cm or 8x12inch) and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• Remove dough from fridge and roll it out (in the bag) to obtain a 8 x 12" rectangle.
• Cut the edges of the plastic bag and take the dough out; divide it equally into 12 portions (use a pizza roller/dough scraper for easier cutting).
• Put some filling on each dough portion, fold it so that filling is enclosed; seal edges by crimping with a fork.
• Brush the pastries with egg wash (lightly beat egg, water and salt together).
• Bake in a preheated oven at 180-190°C or 350-375°F for 20 minutes until golden brown.
• Serve while they are still hot or warm.