Who Needs Takeout? 15 Recipes for Chinese Buns

Heather Sage
Nov 17, 2014

A few months back, we shared how to make a whole spread of dim sum at home. Now we’re focusing things in on one perpetual favorite — the bao. These 15 Chinese buns feature an assortment of tasty fillings from the traditional barbecue pork to an uncommon melange of meat-free delights… and some are even perfect for dessert. Hope you’re ready; it’s about to get steamy in here.

1. Shanghai Soup Dumplings: These may be commonly referred to as “dumplings,” but their real name xiao long bao lets us know what family they really belong to. That’s right, these little soup-filled packets are totally buns. (via Spoon Fork Bacon)

2. Homemade Red Bean Buns: Go ahead and enjoy these buns stuffed with a slightly sweet and buttery homemade bean paste for breakfast or dessert. (via China Sichuan Food)

3. Steamed Black Sesame Custard Bun: Break open these almost-black buns to reveal a golden-hued nugget of coconut custard shining bright within. (via Away of Mind Bakery House)

4. BBQ Lentil Baozi (Vegan): It’s hard not to love this vegan take on the traditional barbecue pork bun. The use of lentils is just brilliant. (via Produce on Parade)

5. Char Siu Bao: And speaking of BBQ pork buns… (via Cherry on My Sundae)

6. Lotus Seed Buns: The shape of these buns totally mirrors that of the lotus seed, providing a nice hint as to the tasty filling tucked inside. (via Serious Eats)

7. Purple Sweet Potato Mantou: If you’re eager to get these filling-free buns into the steamer, feel free to omit the black sesame swirl. It offers a nice visual effect, but the vibrant purple color provided by the ube (purple yam) alone is enough to draw anyone in. (via Vintage Trinkets)

8. Flaky Roast Chicken Buns: It’s hard to tell from the photos, but there are actually two different types of dough — one moistened with water and butter, the other shortening or coconut oil — surrounding a seasoned chicken filling. (via Through the Kitchen Door)

9. Pork Belly Banh Bao: No question, pork belly gets a warm welcome wherever it shows up. We’re loving these buns filled with a little Vietnamese flair. (via Baked by Joanna)

10. Egg Custard Buns: A soft-firm custard is found tucked inside these traditional buns. (via Viet World Kitchen)

11. Tofu and Mushroom Steamed Buns: A mix of well-seasoned tofu, mushrooms and edamame creates a protein-packed, meat-free filling for these buns. The pickled cucumbers and Sriracha-spiked vinegar soy sauce served alongside provide a nice tangy contrast. (via My Second Breakfast)

12. Panfried Pork Steamed Buns: First, these fluffy buns are steamed, then they hit the frying pan, developing an alluring golden brown crust that makes ’em all the more impossible to resist. (via Food52)

13. Honeyed Pork Buns: These baked buns get a quick brush of thinned honey and sprinkle of chives and sesame seeds just after they’re removed from the oven. (via Thirsty for Tea)

14. Pumpkin Mantou: Toasted sesame seeds offer just a touch of nuttiness to these pumpkin buns, and also dresses them up in the Halloween-appropriate color combo of black and orange. (via Anncoo Journal)

15. The Pineapple Buns: Okay, so there’s no actual pineapple to be found in these buns. Instead, their name comes from the way the crust cracks and turns golden in the oven, resembling the skin of a pineapple. Kinda cool, huh? (via Lady and Pups)

Have you ever tried bao, either at a restaurant or at home? Let’s talk all about buns below!

12 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Ideas That Won’t Trigger Tummy Problems

Starting your day with the right foods can make a huge difference in how you feel – that rings especially true if you’re fighting any kind of inflammation. Instead of sugary cereals or processed pastries (though they can be convenient), opt for these delicious anti-inflammatory breakfast ideas that’ll help keep your body balanced. These anti-inflammatory breakfast ideas are packed with nutrients that’ll undoubtedly leave you feeling your best – with no flare-ups in sight!

Scroll on to discover 12 amazing anti-inflammatory breakfast ideas that’ll make you excited to wake up and chow down!

Brit + Co

Layered Berry Smoothie

Packed with three kinds of berries high in antioxidants, this beautifully layered smoothie will totally soothe any inflamed feelings you have. (via Brit + Co)

Rebecca Firsker

Citrusy Chickpea Shakshuka

This protein-rich breakfast recipe is made with real, whole ingredients, making it a stunning savory option in the morning. (via Rebecca Firsker for Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

3-Ingredient Protein Pancakes

When it comes to anti-inflammatory breakfast ideas, the simpler = the better. Luckily, these filling pancakes are made with just three ingredients and come together so quick. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Parfait Popsicles

Meal preppers will adore this easy parfait popsicle recipe that you can easily customize with your fave anti-inflammatory fruits! You could even enjoy this as a nice, refreshing snack outside of breakfast time. (via Brit + Co)

The Real Food Dietitians

Sweet Potato Hash

This hash is balanced well with plenty of protein, veggies, and fiber from the sweet potato. It's a hearty helping that'll definitely leave you feeling satisfied and ready to tackle the day, sans inflammation. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Vanilla and Bean

Overnight Turmeric Chia Oats

Turmeric is famously known for its anti-inflammatory benefits – sneak some into these yummy chia and oat bowls, and thanks to the help of more spices and maple syrup, you won't even notice it's there! (via Vanilla and Bean)

Crowded Kitchen

Savory Quinoa Breakfast Bowls

A good balance of grains and veg can be found in these aesthetically-pleasing breakfast bowls, which gives you a great source of energy to go off of all morning long. (via Crowded Kitchen)

Clean Cuisine

Blueberry Muffin Chia Pudding

These chia puddings taste just like blueberry muffins, but are a bit healthier for you than your typical baked good. The chia seeds supply a beneficial amount of not only fiber, but protein, so you feel full after eating a serving. Yum! (via Clean Cuisine)

Feel Good Foodie

Cottage Cheese Bowls

Cottage cheese FTW! It's one of our favorite underrated protein sources, and can easily be customized to pair with either savory or sweet flavors. For a savory bowl, add some tomatoes, sweet potatoes, or avocado. For sweet, opt for berries, honey, peanut butter, and granola! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Averie Cooks

Deep Dish Mixed Berry Skillet Pancake

Forget flippin' pancakes and all the time it takes to make 'em – this baked skillet pancake is just as tasty and way more convenient, especially if you're big on meal prepping. The added berries qualify it for some great anti-inflammatory benefits, thanks to the abundance of antioxidants. (via Averie Cooks)

The Original Dish

Herb Ricotta Omelets with Chickpeas & Mushrooms

Veggies at the table are a must if you want to craft a savory anti-inflammatory breakfast. (via The Original Dish)

Kathryn's Kitchen

Banana Spinach Muffins

These sweet muffins hide quite a bit of spinach in each serving, a leafy green that helps fight inflammation with ease. (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

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Ben Affleck Wants You To Know He's Actually "Drama-Free" Post-Jennifer Lopez Divorce

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are no strangers to making headlines — and apparently Ben has a lot to say about that after their blockbuster divorce. Bennifer 2.0 was a shocking rekindled romance, but nothing was more shocking about how brief take two was for these seemingly star-crossed lovers. While Ben's historically been pretty tight-lipped about his personal life, he recently opened up in an interview with GQ about Jennifer, their divorce, and how he really feels about it all. Here's what he had to say!

Scroll to see Ben Affleck's rare comments about Jennifer Lopez post-divorce...

Again, it's pretty well-known that Ben Affleck doesn't care much for the spotlight. I mean, he's literally known for looking grumpy — and drinking Dunkin' — in pap shots. And Ben is pretty adamant that underneath all those major headlines, he's just a normal guy with a normal family. He told GQ that his "life is actually pretty drama-free," noting that he experiences all the same things anyone else does.

"I’m sure in your mind you’re thinking, Oh, well, you just got divorced. That’s not drama-free. And I understand that instinct," he elaborated. "But all of this is pretty adult, and for all the sensational stuff that gets written, if somebody sat down and talked to me about it, and I said, “Well, this is really the experience,” their eyes would glaze over with boredom."

When asked about the divorce-stricken elephant in the room, Ben surprisingly shared what ultimately lead to his split from Jennifer Lopez. The interviewer noted that in The Greatest Love Story Never Told, it was clear that Ben wasn't comfortable with sharing so much of himself on screen — and asked what he was going through in those moments.

"Like I mentioned to you before, there are a lot of people who I think have handled celebrity more adeptly and more adroitly than I have, Jennifer among them. My temperament is to be a little bit more reserved and private than hers. As happens in relationships, you don’t always have the same attitude towards these things," he said. "And so I thought, Oh, this is interesting because how do you reconcile that? Because exactly what you said is true. I love and support this person. I believe in them. They’re great. I want people to see that."

Ben explained that there's a highly-quoted part of the documentary where he says, "You don’t marry a ship captain and then say, 'Well, I don’t like going out in the water.'" And ultimately? Ben said that really isn't what caused he and JLo to break things off. He said, "I think it’s important to say that wasn’t the cause of some major fracture. It’s not like you can watch that documentary and go, 'Oh, now I understand the issues that these two had.'"

Maybe one day we'll get the reason Bennifer 2.0 broke our hearts, but for now this answer will have to do. Here's hoping these two are both happy in their own right!

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8 Iconic 'Yellowstone' Quotes That Prove It's The Best Show Of All Time

It's easy to understand why Yellowstone has captivated audiences for five whole seasons. The show is packed with intense drama, complex characters, and stunning landscapes.

Yellowstone is also home to plenty of powerful moments and memorable lines. Whether it's a gut punch of wisdom or a cutting remark, here are some of the show's most iconic quotes.

Scroll to see the most iconic Yellowstonequotes we can't get enough of!

"The only thing I ask is that you outlive me so I never live another day without you." – Beth Dutton

Beth may be regarded as the toughest character in Yellowstone, but beneath her fierce exterior is a deep well of emotion, especially when it comes to Rip.

In one of the most poignant moments of the series, Beth revealed a side of herself that viewers don't often see: her vulnerability and intense love for Rip. For Beth, having him by her side is more than just about companionship. It's a source of strength and stability.

Paramount

"You're either born a willow or born an oak. That's all there is to it." – Lloyd Pierce

In Yellowstone, the harshness of ranch life shapes its inhabitants in unique ways. Here, Lloyd offers a candid observation about the nature of people, suggesting that some are inherently strong and resolute, like oaks, while others are more adaptable and pliable, like willows.

This quote underscores one of the central themes of the show: the tough world of ranching creates individuals who are either suited for the challenge or will be bent by it.

Paramount

"You know, when you boil life down, it's funny just how little you need, isn't it?" – Rip Wheeler

This line perfectly encapsulates Rip's simple yet profound outlook on life. As a man deeply connected to the land, he values self-sufficiency and is content with the basics, a philosophy that aligns closely with the rugged Western lifestyle the Duttons defend.

In his eyes, all that truly matters is the ranch and his family. His humble nature and his unwavering loyalty make him a grounding force amidst the chaos of the show.

Paramount

"The brand isn't something you earn; it's something you live up to." – John Dutton

The Yellowstone brand is not merely a symbol of belonging. As the quote shows, it's also a constant reminder of the responsibility and expectations that come with it.

When Jimmy is given the choice to accept the brand, he isn't just going to be marked as part of the ranch. John Dutton runs his operation with a strict code of loyalty and unquestioned obedience, and Jimmy is being offered an opportunity to prove himself and live a life defined by hard work and sacrifice.

Paramount

"A man who puts a hand on a member of my family never puts a hand on anything else." – Jamie Dutton

Despite their conflicts and dysfunctions, the Duttons share an unbreakable bond when it comes to protecting their own. Jamie's line goes to show that, even with all their flaws, the Duttons will unite in retribution when one of their own is harmed.

What makes this quote particularly striking is that it comes from Jamie, who's like a black sheep in the family.

Paramount

"When you fight for a thing, the thing doesn't care if you win or lose because the thing ain't alive. But when you fight for people, they care." – Kayce Dutton

This line delivered by Kayce underscores the difference between fighting for a cause and fighting for the people you love. He points out the contrast between fighting for material possessions, like the ranch, and the genuine connection and impact that comes from fighting for those you care about.

The quote reveals a key difference between him and his father, John Dutton. While John's primary focus is the ranch's preservation, Kayce is more concerned with his family's well-being.

Paramount

"Learn to be meaner than evil and still love your family and enjoy a sunrise." – John Dutton

In a modern Western like Yellowstone, there are undeniable themes of survival, sacrifice, and loyalty to family. This quote by John reflects the harsh reality of the cowboy lifestyle.

Furthermore, he believes that while life may demand hard choices, it's still possible to find moments of beauty and joy and hold onto the love that makes life worth living. His advice isn't just about fighting evil but surviving in a world where evil is inevitable while preserving a sense of humanity.

Paramount

"When the misery is bad enough, tomorrow is rarely factored into decisions." – Monica Dutton

Finally, it's no secret that Monica has faced an unthinkable amount of challenges in her life, from the trauma of Kayce killing her brother to dealing with systemic racism. This quote shows her belief that when life is filled with mystery, it becomes nearly impossible to think about the future because the present is all-consuming.

It speaks to the emotional weight of living in such a brutal environment and resonates with many of the characters on Yellowstone.

Missing Yellowstone? Us, too. Here's everything you need to know about Taylor Sheridan's epic Yellowstone universe, from 1923to Landman.

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