Also known as Huoshao, Shaobing is a layered unleavened flatbread topped with sesame seeds.
Shaobing is believed to have originated from Shandong province in Eastern China. Chinese legends on the other hand say that the Shaobing emerged during ancient times and was originally known as hubing aka the 'barbarian pastry'. Nowadays, the Shaobing is eaten in many different ways. In Southern China, sweet flavors are especially popular, such as red bean or black sesame. In Northern China, people much prefer savory fillings like char siu and stir fried vegetables.
Ingredients
Dough
200 g all purpose flour plus more for dusting
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp sugar
50 g hot water (around 195°F, 90°C)
1/4 tsp instant yeast
70 g cold water
1 tbsp vegetable oil plus more for greasing
Oil paste
35 g vegetable oil
50 g cake flour
Topping
4 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
1-2 tsp black sesame seeds optional
Instructions
Making the dough
Mix flour, salt and sugar together in a mixing bowl before adding in hot water. Stir and mix with chopsticks/fork until it becomes lumpy.
Add yeast, cold water and oil; stir with chopsticks/fork until the liquid is all absorbed by the flour, and then knead until a dough is form. The dough will be very sticky, so just knead until you're able to form a rough ball. Grease the dough with oil and cover with plastic wrap before allowing it to rest for 20 - 30 minutes so that it'd be easier to roll out later.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small pan on medium heat until it's hot. Add in the cake flour and stir until smooth. Continue to cook and stir until it darkens a bit and becomes aromatic. Pour the paste in a bowl and let it cool down.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C)
Dust the working surface with a thin layer of flour, roll the dough out to an approximately 10" x 16" rectangle.
Spread the oil paste by spatula or by hand on the dough, leaving ½ inch on the top.
Roll the dough from the bottom all the way up, pinching the seam at the end to close.
Cut the roll into 6 even pieces and gently press each piece down to flatten a bit and bring the two "cut" sides to the middle and pinch them together (it's ok if they don't stay together perfectly).
Gently roll each piece out to an oval shape and then fold the top third of the dough down and the bottom third up. After finishing all six pieces, repeat this step again for each piece. Always fold the side with oil paste in so that we'd end up with a smooth surface. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
Put sesame seeds in a small plate and lightly press the smooth side of each piece of dough into the plate of sesame seeds.
Roll each piece out to about a 3" x 6" rectangle. Place the pieces on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
If you are storing these for later, simply toast them in a toaster oven for 3 -5 minutes and they will be just as good as when they're fresh.
If you want to stuff things inside, simply cut the side with a pair of scissors and open it like a book.
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