Scallion Sesame Pancakes | Guest Recipes | Nigella's Recipes (2024)

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Introduction

Crisp, chewy, deliciously greasy — scallion pancakes are fun to eat, but they’re good fun to make as well. The technique of brushing the dough with sesame oil then rolling it into a spiral and rolling it flat again is a form of lamination — similar to what happens when you add sheets of butter to dough when making croissants, with the effect of creating flaky layers. Making scallion pancakes sounds more complicated than it actually is, but after making one or two, you’ll feel like a pro.

For photo guidance on rolling the pancakes, please click here.

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Ingredients

Makes: 6 pancakes

For the pancakes

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
  • kosher salt
  • 1½ cups boiling water
  • 4 bunches scallions
  • 3 tablespoons toasted Asian sesame oil (or as needed)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • peanut oil or vegetable oil (for frying)

For the dipping sauce

  • 2 tablespoons chinese black vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 plump clove garlic (finely chopped)

Method

Scallion Sesame Pancakes is a guest recipe by Kate Winslow and Guy Ambrosino so we are not able to answer questions regarding this recipe

  1. To make the pancakes, place the flour and ½ teaspoon salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse a few times to combine. With the processor running, drizzle in about 1¼ cups of the boiling water, then continue to process for about 10 seconds more. if the dough has not come together, drizzle in more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it does. transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead a few times to form a smooth ball. transfer to a bowl, cover with a clean, damp kitchen towel and let rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or while you prepare the remaining ingredients. the dough may be refrigerated overnight.
  2. Trim off the white part of each scallion and reserve for another use. Slice the scallion greens very thinly. Measure out 1 tablespoon of the scallion greens to use in the dipping sauce and set the remainder aside. You should have about 2 cups.
  3. To make the dipping sauce, combine the vinegar, soy sauce and sugar, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the pickled garlic. Sprinkle the scallion greens over the sauce and set aside.
  4. To shape the pancakes, divide the dough into 6 even pieces and roll each between the palms of your hands into a smooth ball. Working with 1 ball of dough at a time (loosely cover the remaining dough with the damp towel), roll it out with a rolling pin on a lightly floured work surface into an 8-inch disc. Using a pastry brush, brush a thin layer of sesame oil over the top of the dough. Roll the dough up like a jelly roll, then tightly roll it again like a snail’s shell, tucking the end underneath. Set the roll down on the work surface, spiral side up, and flatten gently with your hand. Re-roll the dough into an 8-inch disc.
  5. Brush the top of the dough with another thin layer of sesame oil. Sprinkle about ⅓ cup scallions and ½ teaspoon sesame seeds evenly over the dough. Roll up again like a jelly roll and twist again into a tight spiral, tucking the end underneath. Flatten the spiral gently and roll into a 7-inch disc.
  6. Repeat these steps with the remaining balls of dough, sesame oil, scallions and sesame seeds. (Once you get good at shaping the pancakes, you might find it easier and faster to start cooking 1 pancake while shaping the next, so it is ready to slide into the oil as the first comes out.)
  7. Line a large plate with newspaper or clean paper bags. Heat about ¼ inch oil in a medium cast-iron or nonstick skillet over moderately high heat. When the oil shimmers, carefully slip 1 pancake into it. cook, shaking the pan gently from time to time, until the underside is golden brown, 1½ to 2 minutes. using tongs, carefully flip the pancake and continue to cook, again shaking the pan gently as needed, until the second side is golden brown, 1½ to 2 minutes more. transfer to the lined plate to drain. Sprinkle the pancake with a pinch of salt and cut into 6 wedges. Serve immediately with the sauce for dipping, while you cook the remaining pancakes in the same manner, adding a little more oil to the skillet as needed.

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FAQs

Scallion Sesame Pancakes | Guest Recipes | Nigella's Recipes? ›

If you have a lot of extra scallions laying around, make Korean pajeon since it uses the whole scallion. On the other hand, when you're craving a flaky and chewy texture, Chinese scallion pancakes are the way to go.

What is the difference between Chinese and Korean scallion pancakes? ›

If you have a lot of extra scallions laying around, make Korean pajeon since it uses the whole scallion. On the other hand, when you're craving a flaky and chewy texture, Chinese scallion pancakes are the way to go.

What do scallion pancakes go with? ›

They're served with a sweet soy-ginger-Sriracha dipping sauce and paired with a lightly dressed red cabbage-cucumber salad for a classic Chinese treat you won't be able to get enough of.

What are Chinese scallion pancakes made of? ›

Ingredients. All you need are some basic pantry ingredients to make great scallion pancakes – all-purpose flour, water, salt, vegetable oil, and green onion. To further boost the taste, you could add some ground Sichuan peppercorns to the filling, but it's totally OK to skip them.

What is a fun fact about scallion pancakes? ›

Here's a fun fact about the scallion pancake: according to legend, Marco Polo loved these pancakes. When he returned home to Italy, he had some chefs make a different type of pancake so he could have some more. But what he got was the ancestor of another dish we all know and love her in modern day America: pizza.

Why is my Korean pancake not crispy? ›

If you've used enough oil to cook your kimchijeon but it's still not crispy enough, then the problem likely lies with your batter mixture. Overall, you need to make the batter light with a somewhat liquid consistency. To test this consistency, pour the batter from the mixing spoon.

What flour are Chinese pancakes made of? ›

Sometimes they might be referred to as Mandarin pancakes. Made with wheat flour and water, Peking duck pancakes are cooked either in a steamer or a pan. Compared to the popular tortilla, they are much thinner and have a smoother appearance.

Why are my scallion pancakes not flaky? ›

It's important to start with hot water dough in order to roll it out without having the dough bounce back. This way, it'll lead to a more thin and flaky pancake! It's best to roll it out without scallions, then add the scallions at the end since they tend to break up the layers!

What are the ingredients in Trader Joe's scallion pancakes? ›

Water, Unbleached Wheat Flour, Fry Mix (unbleached Wheat Flour, Baking Mix [starch, Salt, Garlic Powder, Pepper], Corn Powder, Baking Powder [corn Starch, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Calcium Stearate]), Onion, Leek, Carrot, Scallion, King Oyster Mushroom, Egg, Soybean Oil, Salt, ...

Can you use a tortilla press for scallion pancakes? ›

One tip on rolling out your scallion pancakes: Use a simple tortilla press, which makes flattening the pancakes quick and easy. You can also roll them out with a pin. But the cross cultural use of a tortilla press really does make things much easier.

What are other names for scallion pancakes? ›

Cong you bing (cōngyóubǐng) (Chinese: 蔥油餅; pinyin: cōngyóubǐng; Wade–Giles: Ts'ung1-yu2-ping3; lit. 'scallion oil pancake'; Mandarin pronunciation [tsʰʊ́ŋjǒʊpìŋ]), also known as scallion pancake or "green onion pancake", is a Chinese savory, unleavened flatbread folded with oil and minced scallions (green onions).

Who invented scallion pancakes? ›

There are legends and folk tales surrounding 葱油饼 and how the food came into being. The most widely accepted theory about the dish's origin is that it originated in Shanghai, a city which has traditionally had a large foreign population, many of South Asian descent and a lot of cultural exchange as a trading port.

How many calories in a whole scallion pancake? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
243Calories
7gFat
40gCarbs
5gProtein
Sep 19, 2023

What is a Korean pancake called? ›

Buchimgae (부침개), or Korean pancake, refers broadly to any type of pan-fried ingredients soaked in egg or a batter mixed with other ingredients. More specifically, it is a dish made by pan-frying a thick batter mixed with egg and other ingredients until a thin flat pancake-shaped fritter is formed.

What are Korean sweet pancakes made of? ›

Hotteok (Korean Sweet Pancakes) is a popular Korean street food made from a simple yeast dough with a sweet syrupy filling made with brown sugar, cinnamon and walnuts. It makes a tasty snack or dessert, and could even be enjoyed at breakfast!

Is Chinese pizza the same as scallion pancakes? ›

Scallion pancakes, also known as Chinese pizza, is one of my favorite foods. In mandarin it is 蔥油餅 which directly translates to: onion oil cake. Not only are the ingredients simple, but also the texture is flaky and crispy.

What's the difference between pancakes and Japanese pancakes? ›

Unlike traditional pancakes, Japanese versions often incorporate soufflé-like qualities, creating a unique sensory experience. The key lies in using egg whites, whipped to stiff peaks, and abundant eggs in the batter. This meticulous approach results in a texture that is light, airy, and almost ethereal.

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