Scallion Pancakes

Scallions are a unique vegetable, that can be added to almost any recipe, to enhance its flavors. Also, it is an inevitable ingredient in Chinese food. You may have already got the taste of scallion pancakes while dining at a Chinese restaurant. With their unique flavors and light, flaky texture, and when eaten with a dipping sauce, they make the perfect appetizers. What's more, when you learn how to make them at home, you can enjoy it as a meal by itself. Whether you prepare them for yourself, or for your guests, these recipes mentioned below are a great choice.

Scallion Pancakes with Ginger Dipping Sauce

This is the traditional Chinese scallion pancake recipe, which you may have already tasted at your favorite Chinese restaurant. But it's time to prepare it yourself, so you can enjoy this delicacy whenever you wish to. You can also freeze any extra pancakes, and prepare them whenever you think you simply must have these yummy treats.

Ingredients

• All-Purpose flour, 2 cups
• Boiling water, 1 cup
• Scallions, sliced, ½ cup
• Canola oil, ½ cup
• Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• Ginger dipping sauce, ½ cup (Recipe Below)

For the Sauce

• Soy sauce, ¼ cup
• Minced ginger, 1 teaspoon
• Chinese vinegar, ¼ cup
• Red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon
• Scallions, sliced, ¼ cup
• Sugar, 1 teaspoon

Procedure

1. Sift the all-purpose flour in a large bowl.
2. Slowly add in the boiling water, while stirring the flour continuously with a wooden spoon. Continue adding the water, till the dough forms a ball.
3. Knead it slightly with your hand, so that the dough attains a smooth texture. Now cover the dough with a damp cloth, and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
4. Sprinkle some flour on a clean surface, and pull out some dough, and roll it out using a rolling pin, to make a small round as large as about 6-7 inches. It should be thin, so that you can create more layers in the pancake.
5. Dip a cooking brush in the sesame oil, and brush the rolled out dough with the oil. Sprinkle some sliced scallions on it, along with a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Now roll up the flattened dough with the scallions, salt and pepper. Once you have rolled it, coil it up lengthwise.
7. Dip it in a little flour, and roll it out again.
8. Repeat the same procedure for the remaining dough.
9. Once you have prepared all the pancakes, heat a 1 tablespoon canola oil in a skillet on medium flame. Fry the pancakes, one by one, till they are golden brown on either side.
10. For the dipping sauce, just blend together all the ingredients.
11. Serve the pancakes hot with the ginger dipping sauce.

Shrimp and Scallion Pancakes with Spicy Dipping Sauce

This recipe is unique, with the addition of shrimp and bell peppers, along with the usual ingredients. What's more, the pancakes are prepared from a liquid batter, rather than dough. Take a look at how to prepare this interesting variation along with a spicy dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• Garlic cloves, 2 minced
• Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon
• Eggs, 2, beaten
• Water, ¾ cup
• Salt, ¾ teaspoon
• All-purpose flour, ¾ cup
• Scallions, 1 bunch, green parts only, thinly sliced
• Red bell pepper, ½, stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced
• Shrimp, ½ pound, medium, peeled and halved lengthwise, pre-cooked
• Canola oil, ¼ cup

For the Sauce

• Garlic, 1 teaspoon finely chopped
• Scallions, 1 tablespoon, thinly sliced
• Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon
• Red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon
• Soy sauce, ¼ cup
• Rice wine vinegar, ¼ cup

Procedure

1. In a large bowl, combine together, the eggs, water, oil, salt, and garlic.
2. Now toss in the flour, and mix everything till a smooth batter has been formed.
3. Further in this batter, add the shrimp, the scallions and the bell peppers.
4. In a large non-stick skillet, over medium heat, pour in one tablespoon of canola oil.
5. Once the oil has heated, pour some batter on the pan, to make a 6 inch round pancake. So that it spreads evenly on the skillet, use a spatula.
6. Cook this pancake on either side, till it has browned thoroughly.
7. Remove the pancake from the skillet, and place it on a paper towel to drain the excess oil.
8. Repeat this procedure for the remaining batter.
9. For the sauce, simply mix all the ingredients.
10. Serve the pancakes hot, with the spicy dipping sauce.

Scallion pancakes can be enhanced further by adding a variety of ingredients of your choice. Right from carrots to mushrooms, to kimchi, you can add whatever you think will make it more interesting and flavorful. What's more, these pancakes are even perfect for vegetarians, as the addition of different types of meat is optional. Now you can treat yourself and your guests to this yummy appetizer, that genuinely tingles your taste buds!