The hamburger as we think of it today originated in the US around the turn of the century - but a dish of meat between slices of bread has been a part of many cultures throughout history. In this episode, Sohla recreates Rou Jia Mo, one of the first versions of a hamburger from Ancient China in 200 BCE.

Recipe for Rou Jia Mo:

What you need for the meat filling:
1kg Pork belly
60g rock sugar
¼ cup Liaojiu or sherry
Fermented soybean paste - equivalent to 5tbsp of soy sauce
10g ginger
20 Sichuan peppercorns
3 pieces star anise
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Handful of shanzha berries
3 small cut pieces of liquorice root
½ tbsp salt

Instructions:
1. Over medium heat, add about a tablespoon of oil and melt 60g of sugar into the oil until dark brown - about 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
2. Add water to the sugar & oil mixture
3. Add in the pork & all of the other filling ingredients except the salt. Add enough water to cover the pork.
4. Cover & let braise for 3 hours.
5. Add salt & let simmer for another 20 minutes.

What you need for the mo:
500g All-purpose flour
5g Yeast
25g Oil
220g Water
¼ tsp Salt

Instructions:
1. Combine the flour, water, oil & yeast
2. Knead by hand until dough is consistent throughout
3. Cover with a warm, damp rag & let rise for 40 minutes
4. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Add a cast iron pan to the oven as it's heating up. The cast iron pan should get piping hot.
5. Deflate the dough. Split the dough into 10 balls. Roll the balls into a play-doh snake shape. Roll the snakes flat with a rolling pin.
6. Smear a bit of oil down the middle of the dough. Then fold it in half hot-dog style. Roll it up almost like a cinnamon bun. Squish the slightly with your palm to flatten it. Roll the edges of the dough with a rolling pin until it forms a shallow bowl.
7. Take the pan out of the oven & put it on the stove on high for 1 minute.
8. Turn the heat to medium & add the dough to the pan. Toast on one side for 30 seconds. Flip & toast on the other side for another 30 seconds.
9. Add the pan & dough back into the oven for 2 minutes to bake.

Subscribe for more HOME.MADE.NATION shows: http://mylt.tv/SubscribetoFYI

Check out exclusive HOME.MADE.NATION content:
Website - https://www.aetv.com/home-made
Facebook -   / homemadenation  
Twitter -   / homemadenation  
Instagram -   / home.made.nation  

The hub of all things DIY, home improvement, decor and food, from household tips and projects you can try yourself to the stories and experiences of experts, inspiration truly has a home in HOME.MADE.NATION.