Pang Susi

This is a sweet potato bread with a minced meat filling. This recipe takes me back to my childhood when I watched my parents making it. My father would joke that kneading the dough worked a sweat and that was the secret extra ingredient.

For the sponge:

1 packet (2 tsps) dry active yeast Half cup warm water Half cup all-purpose flour

Add all the ingredients together. Cover and leave for 15 minutes. If it froths up, it means the yeast is active. Continue with making bread. If it does not froth up, throw it out. Buy new yeast and make a new sponge.

1 cup mashed potato, yellow or light orange inside 2 tsps honey Half tsp fine salt 1 large egg 3 tbsps melted butter 3 cups flour and half cup more

Boil sweet potato. Drain water. Peel skin and mash. Cool a little if its too hot. Then add the egg, honey, butter and yeast mixture. Mix well with a wooden spoon.

Add salt to the 3 cups of flour. Stir to mix. Add to the rest of the ingredients and knead with machine or do by hand. Dough should come together. If too sticky dust with the extra half cup of flour, a little at a time. Do this for a few minutes. Then put into a lightly greased bowl and cover. Set aside for 30 minutes.

Cook the mince meat filling.

1 large onion, thinly diced 4 garlic, finely chopped 350g minced meat 1tsp tumeric powder 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp chilli powder Half cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots and corn), diced 1 tbsp tamarind juice or lemon juice 1 and half tsp salt Half cup of stock

Heat a little oil in the skillet and fry the onions and garlic for a few minutes on medium low heat. Add the minced meat and salt. Stir fry to mix. Then add the mixed vegetables, spice powders and stock. Mix. Cover and cook for 2 minutes. Add tamarind or lemon juice. Mix thoroughly. Cook until dry. Take off heat.

Return to dough. Punch down to knock out bubbles. Knead on a lightly dusted surface. Break off small amounts of dough. Roll out into 6 inch circles. Roll the outer rims thinner than the middle. Put some filling in the middle. Wet the edges and pinch them shut. Put this part on the bottom. You will have an oval bun. You could make a round one too. Put on a baking tray. Cover and leave to rise for 30 minutes. Just before baking, beat some egg yolk and baste the tops of buns.

Heat oven to 400 F/200 C. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.