Homemade bakery style Srilankan fish buns(Maalu paan).

Ingredients

• 4 cups of flour
• 2 teaspoons of yeast(10 g)
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon Sugar
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1 cup of fresh milk
• 1 and a 1/2 cup of lukewarm water
• For the filling
• 5-7 tablespoons of oil
• 1 large can of Tuna or Mackerel fish mashed
• 3 large Potatoes, boiled and coarsely crushed with a few large pieces still left out
• 3 large Onions
• 2 green chillies(optional)
• 2 pods of garlic mashed
• Handful of curry leaves
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of Turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of Pepper
• Whisk an egg vigorously with a tablespoon of milk

Instructions

1. 1

   First, gather all the ingredients you need and separate them for the dough and fish filling to keep things organized. Have a flat, clean surface ready to make the buns.

2. 2

   Mix Yeast, Sugar, water in a cup and leave it for a few minutes until you see a frothy layer of yeast.

3. 3

   In a large bowl combine flour and salt then whisk the egg and pour it to the bowl, followed by butter and milk.

4. 4

   Once the yeast activates, gradually pour it into the flour, start mixing all the ingredients in the bowl. use a push and pull motion to knead the dough.

5. 5

   By the end of your kneading, the dough ball should be smooth and elastic. too much kneading can cause the exterior to become hard so keep the kneading just under 10 minutes

6. 6

   Shape the dough into a bowl and cover with cling film, leaving it to rise in a warm place until the dough rises.

7. 7

   Making the FillingPlace a pan on medium heat, pour in the oil and add

8. 8

   the Onions, green chillies, Garlic, Curry leaves, Pepper and curry powder, leave the ingredients in until they are soft and incorporated.

9. 9

   Once the Onions have become golden, add the coarsely mashed Potatoes, cook for a few minutes and mix in the mashed fish.

10. 10

    Incorporate all these ingredients and add salt to taste.

11. 11

    Once the filling is done, taste for salt and take the pan off the fire..

12. 12

    Making the fish buns.Take the dough and punch it down, divide the dough into 6-7 balls, let them rise for a few minutes.

13. 13

    Use a flat surface with a bit of flour sprinkled to roll out the dough into flat, circular shapes.

14. 14

    Bring the filling close to the flat disk, place 1 and a 1/2 tablespoon filling in the center.

15. 15

    Once you place the filling, it’s time to fold it in a way to get the triangular shape.

16. 16

    Bring the left side of the dough disk at an angle to the center covering the mixture, do the same on the right side of the disk, folding it at an angle to cover the filling. then fold the bottom over the filling, Pinch the edges well to seal and you’ll end up with a triangular shape.

17. 17

    Repeat this action until all of the dough balls have been turned into triangular-shaped buns.

18. 18

    Line a baking sheet and sprinkle flour over it.

19. 19

    Place the dough with filling so the folded side is on the bottom of the tray.

20. 20

    Leave the dough buns to rise for 10-20 minutes.

21. 21

    Then brush egg wash over the buns

22. 22

    Preheat oven to 200C and bake the buns for 20-22 minutes or until they are golden brown.

23. 23

    If you find the bottom of the buns have not baked(this usually happens in convection ovens)turn them over, brush the egg wash and bake for another 5 minutes or until the bottom of the buns are cooked.

24. 24

    Leave it to cool before serving.