Baked Sardine Buns

This is a budget-friendly and nutritious Malaysian Style Baked Sardine Buns recipe. It’s made with canned sardines in tomato sauce, and briefly cooked with onion and some spices.



Baked Sardine Buns

Ingredients

Bread Dough
Sesame Seeds
Egg Wash

Filling
1 Tin (423 grams) Sardine In Tomato Sauce, remove the bones
1/2 Red Onion, chopped
1 to 2 Red Chilies, seeded and chopped
1 Tbsp Curry Powder
1 tsp Chili Powder
Sea Salt to taste
A few dashes of White Pepper
1 to 2 Tbsp Water
1 1/2 Tbsp Peanut/Cooking Oil
2 tsp Kalamansi Juice

Dough
370 grams All-Purpose Flour
1 Cup Warm Milk
3 Tbsp Sugar
2 tsp Active Yeast
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Sea Salt
3 Tbsp Melted Unsalted Butter

Method

Filling: Heat oil over medium heat. Cook red onion until soft. Add chili and curry powder and mix until fragrant. Then add red chilies, and give it a quick stir. Mix in the sardines, and some water, if it is necessary. Then season with sea salt, pepper and some Kalamansi juice. Let it cool completely.

Put the warm milk in a measuring jug or bowl. Add sugar, stir to dissolve and add the yeast. Stir to mix. Set aside for 10-15 minutes or until the yeast mixture is frothy.

Place the flour, baking powder, and sea salt into a large bowl and mix well. Pour in the yeast mixture and add the melted butter. Knead the dough for about 10 to 13 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a piece of cling film and set aside in a warm place for about 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in bulk.

Place the dough on a floured board. Divide it into 2 portions; gently roll each piece into logs. Cut each into 6 pieces. Continue with the other portion of dough. Gather the dough into round ball. Let the dough rest for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Make the buns: Flatten each piece of dough with your palm, and then use a rolling pin to roll it out into 4 to 4½ inches inch circle. Place the sardine filling in the center of dough. Draw the sides in to enclose the filling and seal properly. Then roll it into a ball and place it on the baking scup. Continue with the rest of dough and filling. Cover with a plastic wrap or towel and let the dough rest for about 40 to 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375˚F.

Brush the risen dough with egg wash. and sprinkle some sesame seeds. Bake in the oven for about 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown in color. Remove from the oven and serve warm.