Chinese Pork Burger (Rou Jia Mo 肉夹馍)

Step 1

Mix all the ingredients (including the oil). Knead with your hands or a stand mixer until a smooth, firm dough forms (see note 2).

Step 2

Cover the bowl with a wet kitchen towel then leave to rise until double in size (see note 3).

Step 3

Blanch the pork in hot water then drain.

Step 4

Put the pork and all the other ingredients into a pot. Fill with water enough to cover the meat completely.

Step 5

Bring the water to a boil. Then leave to simmer for at least 1 hour until the meat becomes very tender.

Step 6

Cut the dough into 4 equal pieces.

Step 7

Flatten one piece of dough into a long oval shape.

Step 8

Roll the dough into a cylinder. Stand the cylinder on one end.

Step 9

Press it down then flatten it with a rolling pin (about 10cm / 4 inches in diameter). Repeat the procedure to finish other pieces of dough

Step 10

Place the dough into a frying pan over low heat (without any oil). Cover the pan with a lid.

Step 11

Flip the bread over when the first side becomes golden brown.

Step 12

Cook the second side with the lid on (see note 4).

Step 13

When the bread is cool enough to handle, slice open from one side (do not cut through).

Step 14

Chop the pork, coriander and chilli into small pieces. Pour some broth onto the chopped meat.

Step 15

Fill the bread with the meat.

Step 16

If you don’t wish to serve the burgers right away, you can assemble them in advance then wrap each one tight in microwave-safe cling film.

Step 17

Reheat on full power for about 40 seconds in the microwave.