Recipe for a Fluffy and White Puto Pao (Asado Filling)

INGREDIENTS

For the batter

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk (I used fresh milk)
• 4 egg whites
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/3 cup sugar

For the filling

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground pork
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup onion, minced
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch, dissolved in 3 Tbsp water
• 3 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 Tbsp hoisin sauce
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 3 hardboiled eggs, sliced into 1/8’s

For topping

• Cheese (quickmelt Cheese or any cheese)

INSTRUCTIONS

For the batter

1. In a bowl, sift and mix flour, baking powder and 1/2 cup sugar. Add water and milk and mix until well combined and free of lumps.
2. In another bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add sugar gradually until stiff peaks form, and then fold into the batter.

For Pork Asado filling

1. Heat up olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute the garlic and onions until the onion is almost translucent.
2. Add the pork and stir-fry until light brown. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and sugar then mix well. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until pork is tender.
3. Add the cornstarch and mix until the sauce thickens.
4. Remove from heat and allow to cool down. Remove excess oil.

To make the Puto Pao

1. Prepare the steamer by filling it halfway with water and then add 1 Tbsp vinegar. (This will prevent the puto pao from turning yellowish.) Start heating up the steamer. Slightly grease puto molds.
2. Fill puto molds halfway with batter. Top each with about 1 Tbsp Pork Asado filling and 1  slice of egg. (For the small molds, I only used about half tablespoon filling). Add some more batter to each puto mold to cover the filling.
3. Arrange in steamer and steam for 15 minutes. Place cheesecloth in between each pan to avoid water drips. Remove steamer from heat and top puto pao with cheese. Steam for 3 more minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool down. Remove from mold before serving. Enjoy!

Credits to: chefpinoy.com