Plantain Pork Bao

Description

Ripe plantain adds sweetness that plays against soy-and-five-spice pork. Pickled onion keeps the bao from feeling heavy.

Ingredients

• 12 frozen bao buns
• 1 lb ground pork
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp five-spice powder
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp fish sauce (optional)
• 1 ripe plantain, diced
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• Pinch of salt
• Chopped cilantro, for garnish

Preparation

1. Toss sliced onion with lime juice, sugar, and salt. Let sit at least 15 minutes.
2. Cook pork in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned.
3. Add garlic, five-spice, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Cook 2 minutes.
4. In a separate pan, saute plantain in butter over medium heat until caramelized, 6 to 8 minutes.
5. Fold plantain into cooked pork and keep warm.
6. Steam bao.

Assembly

1. Fill each bao with plantain-pork mixture.
2. Top with lime-pickled onion.
3. Finish with chopped cilantro.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with extra lime wedges.
• Add thin cucumber slices for more crunch.

Notes or Variations

• Ground chicken works well if you prefer a lighter protein.
• Add diced jalapeno when cooking pork for extra heat.