Wife Pastry (Lo Po Bang)

An Asian snack that is particularly popular in Hong Kong. Usually consisting of two types of dough to make a flaky pastry. A popular tea time treat for my family!

Step: 1

Sift together 2 cups of cake flour and 2/3 cup of confectioners' sugar in a mixing bowl. Cut in the butter with a knife or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir 1/2 cup of water into the flour mixture until dough is formed. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, sift together 2 cups of cake flour with 2 tablespoons of confectioners' sugar in a small bowl. Knead in 1/2 cup shortening until dough is formed. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Step: 2

Boil the candied waxgourd in 1/2 cup of water until candy is nearly tender. Drain and place in a blender. Blend waxgourd to a paste. Sift sweet rice flour and superfine sugar together in a bowl, then mix in the sesame seeds. Stir in 1/4 cup shortening and waxgourd paste. Gradually stir in 2/3 cup of water, mixing until dough forms.

Step: 3

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step: 4

Divide each dough mixture into 25 equal portions. Take one portion of the the butter dough and roll out in the shape of a circle. Wrap one portion of the shortening dough with the butter dough in the shape of a ball, then roll the combined ball into an oval shape. Roll the dough up, lengthwise, into a tube shape then roll out once more into a long strip. Roll the dough up lengthwise again, pressing the ends down to secure. Shape the dough into a circle and place the sweet rice flour dough into the center. Wrap the outer dough around the filling creating a ball. Flatten the pastry into a circle and place seam side down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining portions. Prick holes on the top of each pastry using a fork. Brush each pastry with egg yolk.

Step: 5

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Per Serving: 248 calories; protein 2.9g; carbohydrates 39g; fat 9.2g; cholesterol 13.1mg; sodium 14.6mg.

The quality of the flour can make a real difference to your bread. Different makers do vary. Extra-strong or Canadian flours, which are naturally higher in gluten, may give you a better rise than standard dough flours – especially if you’re making wholemeal dough , which not always rise as well as white bread.

To made this in a dough , add all the ingredients to your breadmaker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

A dough’s first rising can be make in the fridge 24 hours . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great timesaver , as you can start it night before , then finish it off the next day.