Hua Juan is yet another Chinese dish that is popular as a breakfast as well as a snack. Hua Juan means something in the likes of flower twists / flower buns.
When we lived in China, I remember going to the fresh food section in the mall a couple of times a week, at 3 in the evening,joining the long queue to get my dose of Hua juan. Freshly steamed and delicious, these flavorful buns would disappear off the baskets within minutes of arrival.
I loved these so much [but only next to dumplings] that the curious stare of the people never really bothered me and I couldn’t help but smile when people used to wonder aloud how an Indian would like their food! I have even heard people discuss among themselves wondering if I had married a Chinese national. Some have even asked me this straight to my face! Such is my love !!!
Anyways,there are several ways in which these buns can be shaped and here I have made two versions….
You need:
Basic matou dough
Finely chopped spring onion greens
Sesame seed
Sesame oil
Take a golf sized ball of the dough and place it on a work space dusted with flour. Roll out into a thin circle. Brush a little oil and spread some spring onion greens and sesame seeds on it.
Mark long strips with a knife leaving the top part intact as shown in the pic. [I rolled it out too big, so I cut the sheet into two parts.].Bring the ends together and roll into a circle to form a flower shape and tuck in the ends so that the flower shape remains intact.
The next method is quite similar to the above. Roll out a portion of dough, oil and spread sesame seeds and spring onion greens.
Roll it tightly like a swiss roll and seal it by applying a little water on the edges so the roll remains intact.Cut into equal sized logs.Place a chopstick [or something similar] in the center of one piece and push it down. The roll will open up like a flower on the sides.
Place the hua juan in a steamer[grease the plates first before placing them] and steam for 10-12 minutes or till the surface is glossy. Over cooking will spoil the texture of the hua juan
Serve hot with chili sauce and Soy dipping sauce.
You will surely fall in love with the flavors and the shape!!!
I guess these must be tasting a little like momos..spring onion has a beautiful flavor and surely these must have been super flavorful…and had you married a Chinese we would have got many more deep variations :))
Pretty attractive they are, hua juan looks absolutely fabulous.
Live the flavor of spring onions… Very pretty looking bread
Chienese flower shaped buns looks very cute.So mush efforts ,wow .Kudos to you.
Too good PJ…seeing these buns, never realized its the same as scallion pancakes..good one
Wow the amount of effort you took is so great. Love these breads
Wow, these Chinese buns are so irresistible. Must have tasted great with the dipping sauce.
Good Share..Very tempting breads.
Flower buns look so cute.
Good one, PJ.