Pan De Sal (Filipino Bun)

I'm glad you enjoyed the first baking lesson I posted, which I also enjoyed learning from my aunt, Nana Ming.  Now if you missed the first lesson I suggest you scroll down to the previous post and check out Nana Ming's Classic Custard Cake.  It is definitely worth checking out.

For our next lesson, Nana Ming shows us how to make pan de sal (Filipino Bun).  Pan de sal is very much a part of a Filipino breakfast meal or merienda (mid-morning or mid-afternoon meal).  You could have it plain, to dip it in your coffee or tsokolate (hot chocolate) or as a sandwich, the sweet roll filled with your favorite sandwich filling. 

I'm sure most Filipinos have their own pan de sal favorite:  Some spicy Spanish sardines on pan de sal during a rainy day maybe?  Or condensed milk (which is finger-licking good) between the pandesal on a lazy Sunday afternoon... oh how about the soft pan de sal with creamy luscious macapuno ice cream, especially good on a hot summer day.

This versatile bun is sold in every corner bakery in the Philippines. The fresh rolls are packaged in a brown bag, and the scent of freshly baked bread that sneaks out from the bag is delightful. What makes our Filipino bun different is the crusty and powdery top, while at the same time having it soft and fluffy on the inside. And when it's warm and freshly baked... ahh it's definitely like a hug from home.

Before I share with you the recipe, let me thank Nana Ming for sharing it and thanks to my cousin Gigi too.  Gigi actually sent me the video taken during the actual lesson, a portion of it I'm sharing below.  Thank you Gigi for painstakingly recording  and sending me the clips part by part.

Nana Ming's Pan De Sal
Let's get ready with our ingredients.  I grouped and labeled the ingredients together to avoid confusion.  But no worries you'll have hot pan de sal in no time.
    For the yeast mixture:
            1 tbsp of dry yeast
            1 1/3 c (316 ml) luke warm water
            1 1/2 tsp (7.5 ml) sugar
   Then for the milk mixture
             2 eggs

      1/2 cup ( 118 ml) warm milk

Flour mixture 

     3 1/2 cups (480 grams) all purpose flour (unsifted)

     1/4 cup (32 grams) sugar

      1/3 (43 grams) cup melted butter

 Additional Flour Mixture

1/4 (32 grams) cup bread flour

 1 tablespoon(10 ml) melted butter

Bread Crumbs

1/4 (32 grams) cup bread crumbs

Mix all the ingredients of the yeast mixture and leave it for 5-8 minutes.

In a bowl, mix the eggs and milk.  Check the yeast mixture, if the yeast mixture has bubbles
then the yeast is active.  If there are no bubbles, repeat procedure number 1.

Add the yeast mixture and the second and third group together.  Mix well.
Gradually add the addition flour mixture to the well kneaded dough.

Cover the bowl and place it inside a pre heated oven 180 deg. for 30 minutes.

Divide the dough into 2 balls.  Roll each piece into a log.

Slice it diagonally into 8-10 slices for each log.  Slice a little dent on top.  Slightly drench it
with bread crumbs. I suggest you watch the video below:

Arrange the bread in a  pan.  

Leave the pan for another 30 minutes inside the warm oven (180 degrees F).

Bake for 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Re-create the pan de sal moment at home... it will surely define a happy breakfast meal.

For my next post, I will share with you what's on that tiny cup beside the basket of pan de sal... til my next post!