Hoisin Pork Bao with Sesame Zucchini

Step 1

1 Prepare the ingredients & make the sauce Fill a medium pot 1/2 of the way up with water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Cut the zucchini into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Peel the ginger; finely chop to get 2 teaspoons (you may have extra). Cut off and discard the stem of the pepper; thinly slice into rounds (for a milder dish, halve lengthwise, then remove the ribs and seeds). Thoroughly wash your hands and cutting board immediately after handling. In a bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, and half the sesame oil.

Step 2

2 Cook & dress the zucchini In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the zucchini rounds in an even layer; season with salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until browned and softened. Transfer to a bowl; add the sesame seeds and remaining sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

Step 3

3 Cook the pork & sauce In the same pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the chopped ginger; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly softened. Add the pork; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking the meat apart with a spoon, 5 to 6 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the sauce; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened and the pork is cooked through. Turn off the heat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

Step 4

4 Steam the buns Rest a strainer (or colander) over the pot of boiling water, making sure the water doesn’t reach the bottom of the strainer. Working in batches, place the buns in the strainer; cover with the lid of the pot. Steam 3 to 5 minutes per batch, or until puffy and softened. Carefully transfer to a work surface.

Step 5

5 Assemble the bao & serve your dish Gently open the steamed buns. Fill the steamed buns with the cooked pork and sauce and as much of the sliced pepper as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Serve the finished bao with the dressed zucchini on the side. Enjoy!

Step 6

1 Prepare the ingredients & make the sauce Fill a medium pot 1/2 of the way up with water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Cut the zucchini into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Peel the ginger; finely chop to get 2 teaspoons (you may have extra). Cut off and discard the stem of the pepper; thinly slice into rounds (for a milder dish, halve lengthwise, then remove the ribs and seeds). Thoroughly wash your hands and cutting board immediately after handling. In a bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, and half the sesame oil.

Step 7

2 Cook & dress the zucchini In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the zucchini rounds in an even layer; season with salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until browned and softened. Transfer to a bowl; add the sesame seeds and remaining sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

Step 8

3 Cook the pork & sauce In the same pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the chopped ginger; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly softened. Add the pork; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking the meat apart with a spoon, 5 to 6 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the sauce; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened and the pork is cooked through. Turn off the heat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

Step 9

4 Steam the buns Rest a strainer (or colander) over the pot of boiling water, making sure the water doesn’t reach the bottom of the strainer. Working in batches, place the buns in the strainer; cover with the lid of the pot. Steam 3 to 5 minutes per batch, or until puffy and softened. Carefully transfer to a work surface.

Step 10

5 Assemble the bao & serve your dish Gently open the steamed buns. Fill the steamed buns with the cooked pork and sauce and as much of the sliced pepper as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Serve the finished bao with the dressed zucchini on the side. Enjoy!