Little Miss Bento

I am so happy to share with you this fun and cute Chick Japanese Curry Bun and the recipe :)

This bread bun recipe is definitely a keeper! I love the homemade curry filling too as it was really yummy! 

Also timely since Easter is just around the corner :) heh. 

Do note that this bread is on the sweet side, similar to the bread buns found at Japanese bakeries. The curry filling uses Japanese curry powder so if you are a fan of Japanese curry, you will enjoy this bread bun!

My colleagues gave thumbs up to this curry bun and commented that the homemade curry bread filling was yummy :) yay~~

My hubby is a fan of the curry bread buns found at Japanese bakeries and I had wanted to try to make too. Unlike the usual fried curry donut style, this homemade curry bun is with soft butter bun on the outside. Nom nom :)

Recipe for Homemade Curry Filling for Bread (for 8-9 buns)

Ingredients
chicken /or pork meat (diced) 100g
medium large size potato 1/2 (diced)
medium size onion 1/4 (diced)
japanese curry cubes 34g
fresh shiitake mushroom 2pcs (diced)
butter 21g 
flour 21g
water approx 400ml
sesame oil

Method 
1) In a deep non-stick pan, heat some sesame oil. Fry the onion followed by potato until onion is cooked and lightly brown. Add in about 200ml of water and simmer. 
2) In another non stick pan, heat some sesame oil and sauteed the chicken and mushrooms until cooked through. Add it to the potato/onion in step 1. Continue to simmer for about 8 mins. 
3) Add in the curry cubes and mix well until incorporated. Add in water to adjust the consistency. It should be thick but not gooey at this point. Then continue to simmer for about 5mins to reduce the moisture.
*Tip: You will need to add some water if you find that the mixture is too thick. I added about 200ml here. 
4) Using the same pan from step 2 (so you don’t have to wash), melt the butter and add in the flour, keep stirring quickly and you will have a gooey flour mixture. Add it to the the curry mixture. 
5) Keep stirring and cooking until you have a thick gooey consistency. 
6) Remove from heat and set aside to cool. 

Recipe for Chick Japanese Curry Bun (makes 8)

Ingredients

• bread flour 200g
• plain flour 50g
• instant baking yeast 1tsp
• curry powder 1tsp
• milk powder 5g (optional)
• warm water (about 40C) 120ml 
• 1 medium size egg (about 58g)
• sugar 3tbsp
• unsalted butter 20g
• salt 1/2 tsp
• homemade curry filling (about 400g)
  
  Method
  1) Measure and sieve the bread flour, plain flour, milk powder into a large mixing bowl. Measure and add in the sugar, salt and instant dry yeast. 
  2) Beat the egg and pour the egg mixture into the 120ml warm water using a sieve. Measure out about 130~135ml of the diluted egg mixture and add into the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients. 
  3) Add in the soften unsalted butter and knead the dough until you have a smooth elastic dough. Form a ball and let it rest in the mixing bowl. Cover and wait 55mins for the first rise. 
  4) The dough should double in size. Do the dough test. 
  5) Punch out the air and divide into 8 equal parts, shape them into small balls and cover with a damp cloth. Set aside for 10mins (2nd rise). 
  6) Flatten and Roll out one ball of dough, try to ensure that the surface away from you is smooth as this is the ‘front’ of the final bread bun.  
  7) Scoop one spoonful of homemade curry filling onto the centre. Wrap and seal the bread bun. 
  8) Add carrot slices and mini chocolate chips for the eyes and mouth. 
  *Tip: Press the carrot slices and chocolate chips slightly into the bread bun, as the bread bun will rise when it bakes, it might pop out if you do not do this. 
  8) Glaze the bread bun with the remaining egg mixture from Step (2).
  9) Bake the bread in the oven at 180C for about 15mins until nicely brown.
  10) Let it cool and draw on the chick’s feet using some melted chocolate.