Steamed Bread) Recipe

Certainly! Here’s a more detailed step-by-step guide to making steamed bread with added tips for best results:

Steamed Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

4½ cups cake flour – Cake flour is preferred because it gives the bread a lighter, softer texture compared to all-purpose flour.
500ml warm water – The warm water helps activate the yeast, so it’s essential that it’s not too hot (about 110°F or 45°C is perfect).

10g instant dry yeast – This will help the dough rise. Instant yeast is convenient because it doesn’t need to be dissolved in water beforehand.
10g salt – Salt not only adds flavor but also controls the yeast’s activity.
4 tablespoons sugar – Sugar feeds the yeast and helps the dough rise while adding a slight sweetness to the bread.

1 grated carrot – The grated carrot adds moisture, color, and a subtle sweetness to the bread.
5ml parsley – Fresh parsley gives a herby flavor and adds a bit of color to the bread, making it visually appealing.

Equipment:

Enamel cup or bowl (for steaming)

Sifter (for dry ingredients)
Large mixing bowl
Steamer or large pan with lid

Kitchen towel (for covering the dough)
Toothpick or skewer (for checking doneness)

Method:

1. Grease the Cup or Bowl:

Tip: Use a small enamel cup or bowl for steaming. This traditional method ensures that the bread holds its shape as it steams.

Grease it lightly with oil or butter. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the sides during the steaming process, making it easier to remove once it’s cooked.

2. Sift the Dry Ingredients:

Sifting the flour helps to aerate it, ensuring there are no lumps and giving your bread a smoother, fluffier texture.
In a large mixing bowl, sift together cake flour, salt, sugar, and instant dry yeast. The sifting ensures the ingredients are evenly distributed and promotes an even rise during steaming.

3. Add the Grated Carrot and Parsley:

Grate the carrot finely so it can easily blend into the dough and provide moisture without affecting the texture.
Parsley: Add finely chopped fresh parsley for flavor. It gives a mild herbal taste and enhances the color of the bread. Mix both into the sifted dry ingredients until evenly distributed.

4. Add Warm Water:

Gradually pour in 500ml of warm water (not too hot—aim for about 110°F or 45°C). Too hot a temperature could kill the yeast, while cold water might not activate it properly.

Stir the water into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon or your hands. The dough should start to come together into a shaggy ball.
Tip: If the dough feels too dry, add a little more warm water (a teaspoon at a time). If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in small amounts of flour.

5. Knead the Dough:

Kneading is essential for developing the gluten, which gives the bread its structure and softness. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface.

Knead the dough for about 10 minutes. Push the dough with your palms, fold it over, and turn it slightly with each movement. Continue until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
Tip: If you’re using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment and knead on medium speed for about 5–7 minutes.

6. Let the Dough Rise:

After kneading, shape the dough into a ball and place it into the greased enamel cup or bowl.

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 30-45 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
Tip: If your kitchen is cool, you can place the dough in an oven with the light on to create a warm environment. Alternatively, you can place the dough near a heater, but ensure it’s not too hot.

7. Prepare the Steamer:

While the dough is rising, prepare your steamer. If you don’t have a dedicated steamer, you can use a large pot or pan with a lid. Fill the bottom of the pan with water—enough to create steam but not so much that it touches the dough.

Bring the water to a gentle simmer. It should be steaming but not boiling too aggressively, as that could cause uneven cooking.

8. Place the Dough in the Steamer:

Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air bubbles, and shape it back into a ball or loaf.
Place the greased bowl or cup into the steamer carefully. If you’re using a large pot, make sure the dough doesn’t touch the lid. If necessary, you can use a small rack or steamer basket to elevate the bowl slightly.

Tip: If you’re steaming multiple loaves, leave enough space between the cups to allow steam to circulate evenly.

9. Steam the Bread:

Cover the pan or steamer with a lid, ensuring it’s sealed tightly to trap the steam.
Steam the bread for 1 hour, checking occasionally to make sure there’s enough water in the pan to create steam. If necessary, add a little boiling water.

Tip: To check if the bread is cooked, insert a toothpick or skewer into the center. If it comes out clean, the bread is ready.

10. Cool and Serve:

After 1 hour, remove the bread from the steamer carefully (it will be hot). Let it cool in the cup or bowl for a few minutes before turning it out onto a cooling rack.
Serve warm or cold, depending on your preference. Steamed bread is delicious with soups, curries, or as a snack with butter.

Additional Tips and Variations:

Flavors & Add-ins: You can customize this recipe by adding different herbs (like rosemary or thyme), spices (like cinnamon or nutmeg), or even chopped nuts and dried fruits.
Sweet Version: To make the bread sweeter, you can add a bit more sugar or even a drizzle of honey to the dough.
Vegan Variation: This recipe is already vegan-friendly, but ensure the butter used for greasing is dairy-free if you want a completely plant-based version.

Enjoy your homemade steamed bread with a touch of sweetness and herbiness from the carrot and parsley! Whether served warm with some butter or used as a side to your favorite dishes, it’s a versatile and delicious treat.