Fresh From the Oven - Stuffed Chicken Buns

The September Challenge from Fresh From the Oven was hosted by Ria Mathew from Ria's Collection. Thanks Ria for a lovely challenge and delicious recipe!!! Ria has chosen her family's favorite - a Stuffed Bun recipe for the challenge. It is basically a bun stuffed with a Spicy Indian Chicken filling. For vegetarian buns, you can substitute a veggie* filling of your choice. Ria and her mom did a TV show recently (it's imbedded in her blog) and this was the recipe that her mom demonstrated. Ria says the recipe has been made over and over again in her home and is a winner every time.

STUFFED CHICKEN BUN

(Yields 12 buns)

For the dough:

Ingredients:

Dry yeast-1 tbsp

Warm water-2tbsp

Milk-1/2 cup

Salt to taste

Oil-1/2 cup

All purpose flour-2 cups

Sugar-1/4 cup

Egg-1, beaten

Egg white-1,for egg wash (I used egg yolk)

White sesame seeds for sprinkling (I have used black sesame seeds)

Method:

Dissolve the yeast in warm water with 1/2tbsp sugar and 1/2 tbsp of all purpose flour. Leave aside for 10 minutes. Boil the milk and allow to cool down till it is warm to touch. Add sugar, oil and salt. Mix well with a wooden spoon till the sugar dissolves and add 1 cup flour and mix to a smooth paste. Add the beaten egg, yeast and mix. Add the remaining flour and mix well till it forms a smooth dough. Knead continuosly for 10 mins (I kneaded with my hands as it is very therapeutic but you can also use a mixer). Let it rest till it doubles in volume.

Punch down the dough lightly using your palm and divide them equally. Flatten them into small discs and fill them with 1 tbsp of the filling. Re-shape them into a ball. Sprinkle the top with sesame seeds. Let it prove for another 20 mins.

Bake them in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees for 10 mins. When it starts to brown, give them an egg wash using 1 slightly beaten egg white (I cooked then for a further 10 minutes). Keep a check on the baking time as each oven temperature and time varies. Some have a mind of their own.

Spicy Indian chicken filling

Ingredients:

Boneless chicken-200g, boiled and shredded (I used chicken mince fried with a little oil)

Onions - 4 big, finely chopped ( I used 1 very large onion)

Ginger garlic paste-1 tbsp (optional - I didn't use it))

Chilli powder-1/2 -1tbsp (depending on your spice level)

Coriander powder-1/2 tbsp (optional - I used a large handful of chopped Italian Parsley)

Salt to taste

Oil-3 tbsp

Method:

Heat oil, add the ginger garlic paste and saute till it gives out a nice aroma.

Add the onions. Saute them till soft and transparent.

Reduce the heat and add the powders and mix well for 2 mins.

Add the shredded chicken and mix well (I cooked the chicken mince until brown and well done). Remove from the stove and let it cool. Use it for filling the dough.

*You can substitute chicken for paneer/cottage cheese, potatoes , mushrooms etc.