Indulge in the culinary delights of the Kingdom of Hawaii with our mouthwatering Manapua. These steamed buns, reminiscent of Chinese baozi, are filled with a delectable blend of savory meats or delightful sweet fillings. Whether you're craving a savory sensation or a sweet treat, our Manapua offers a taste of Hawaiian tradition with a unique twist. Savor the flavors of the islands with every bite of these delightful handheld delights.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

  - 3 cups all-purpose flour

  - 1 tablespoon sugar

  - 1 tablespoon baking powder

  - 1 teaspoon salt

  - 1 cup warm water

  - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the filling:

For meat filling:

  - 1 lb ground pork or chicken

  - 2 cloves garlic, minced

  - 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce

  - 1 tablespoon sesame oil

  - 1 teaspoon sugar

  - Salt and pepper to taste

  - Optional: diced onions, green onions, or other vegetables of your choice

For sweet filling:

  - Your choice of sweet filling such as red bean paste, custard, or sweetened coconut

Instructions:

1- Prepare the dough by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

2- Gradually add warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.

3- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest for about 1 hour.

4- While the dough is resting, prepare the filling. For the meat filling, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground pork or chicken until browned. Add minced garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, pepper, and any optional vegetables. Cook until the mixture is well combined and any excess liquid has evaporated. Set aside to cool.

5- If using a sweet filling, prepare it according to its specific recipe or use store-bought filling.

6- After the dough has rested, divide it into equal-sized pieces, depending on how large you want your Manapua to be.

7- Flatten each dough ball into a small circle, then spoon a portion of the desired filling into the center of the circle.

8- To shape the Manapua, gather the edges of the dough circle and pinch them together at the top, sealing the filling inside. Place the filled Manapua seam-side down on a small square of parchment paper.

9- Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.

10- Arrange the filled Manapua in a steamer basket, leaving some space between them to allow for expansion. Steam the Manapua over boiling water for about 15-20 minutes, or until the dough is cooked through and puffy.

11- Once cooked, remove the Manapua from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving.

12- Enjoy your Jordan Kingdom of Hawaii Manapua warm as a delicious snack or meal!

Nutritional Values :

3 cups all-purpose flour:

 - Calories: 1,380 kcal

 - Carbohydrates: ~285 g

 - Protein: 18 g

 - Fat: 3 g

Benefits: Provides a base for the dough; contributes to energy with its carbohydrate content.

1 tablespoon sugar:

 - Calories: 49 kcal

 - Carbohydrates: 12 g

Benefits: Adds sweetness to the dough; provides a quick source of energy.

1 tablespoon baking powder:

 - Calories: 6 kcal

 - Carbohydrates: 1.2 g

Benefits: Leavening agent that helps dough rise.

1 teaspoon salt:

 - Calories: 0 kcal

Benefits: Enhances flavor; helps regulate fluid balance in the body.

1 cup warm water:

 - Calories: 0 kcal

Benefits: Hydrates the dough and helps activate the baking powder.

2 tablespoons vegetable oil:

 - Calories: 240 kcal

 - Fat: 27 g

Benefits: Adds richness to the dough; helps in creating a tender texture.

For the Meat Filling:

- 1 lb ground pork or chicken:

 - Calories: 450 kcal (pork) / 330 kcal (chicken)

 - Protein: 38 g (pork) / 30 g (chicken)

 - Fat: 36 g (pork) / 7 g (chicken)

Benefits: Provides high-quality protein; essential for muscle repair and growth.

2 cloves garlic, minced:

 - Calories: 8 kcal

 - Carbohydrates: 2 g

Benefits: Offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; enhances flavor.

2 tablespoons soy sauce:

 - Calories: 20 kcal

 - Sodium: 1,800 mg

Benefits: Adds savory flavor; contains small amounts of essential minerals.

1 tablespoon oyster sauce:

 - Calories: 9 kcal

 - Sodium: 500 mg

Benefits: Adds umami flavor; provides small amounts of nutrients.

1 tablespoon sesame oil:

 - Calories: 120 kcal

 - Fat: 14 g

Benefits: Adds flavor; contains healthy fats and antioxidants.

1 teaspoon sugar:

 - Calories: ~16 kcal

 - Carbohydrates: ~4 g

Benefits: Balances savory flavors.

Salt and pepper to taste:

Benefits: Enhances flavor; salt helps in retaining moisture in the filling.

Optional: diced onions, green onions, or other vegetables:

Benefits: Adds vitamins, minerals, and fiber; enhances flavor and texture.

For the Sweet Filling:

Your choice of sweet filling (e.g., red bean paste, custard, sweetened coconut):

 - Nutritional values: Varies depending on the filling.

Benefits: Provides a sweet flavor and additional nutrients depending on the filling type (e.g., red bean paste offers fiber and protein, custard provides dairy benefits).

Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on factors such as ingredient brands, variations in recipes, and cooking methods.