purple rice steamed buns

How to Make Purple Rice Mantou: A Complete Guide

Purple rice mantou, a vibrant and nutritious twist on the classic steamed bun, combines the earthy sweetness of purple rice with the soft, fluffy texture of traditional mantou. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to making them at home.

Ingredients:

- 200g all-purpose flour

- 50g cooked purple rice (mashed or finely chopped)

- 2g active dry yeast

- 30g sugar

- 120ml warm water (≈40°C)

- A pinch of salt

Steps:

1. Activate Yeast: Mix yeast and sugar in warm water; let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.

2. Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, mashed purple rice, and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and knead into a smooth, elastic dough (about 10 minutes). If the dough is too sticky, add 1–2 tbsp flour.

3. First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

4. Shape Mantou: Punch down the dough, divide it into 6–8 equal portions, and roll each into a smooth ball. Place them on parchment paper, leaving space for expansion.

5. Second Rise: Cover the shaped buns and let them rise for another 30 minutes.

6. Steam: Bring a steamer to high heat. Arrange the buns (not touching) and steam for 15–18 minutes. Turn off the heat and let them rest for 5 minutes before opening the lid to prevent deflation.

Tips: For a richer flavor, replace 20% of the flour with purple rice flour. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy these visually stunning buns as a healthy breakfast or snack!