Recipes

The sweet, onion-y flavors of the scallions really shine through and complement the dark, savory taste of the toasted sesame oil perfectly in this Korean-inspired dish.  They take more effort than your traditional pancakes, but it’s certainly worth it!  Try them served alongside kimchi for an extra kick!

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting work surface

1 cup boiling water

Up to 1/4 cup toasted sesame seed oil

2 cups + 1 TB thinly sliced scallion greens

2 TB soy sauce

2 TB rice wine vinegar

1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger

2 tsp sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil, for frying

Kosher salt, to taste

Place flour in bowl of food processor.  With processor running, slowly drizzle in about 3/4 of boiling water.  Process for 15 seconds.  If dough does not come together and ride around the blade, drizzle in more water 1 TB at a time until it just comes together.  Transfer to a floured work surface and knead a few times to form a smooth ball.  Transfer to a bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and allow to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to overnight in the fridge.  Divide dough into four even pieces and roll each into a smooth ball.  Working one ball at a time, roll out into a disk roughly 8″ in diameter on a lightly floured surface.  Using a pastry brush, paint a very thin layer of sesame oil over the top of the disk.  Roll disk up like a jelly roll, then twist roll into a tight spiral, tucking the end underneath.  Flatten gently with your hand, then re-roll into an 8″ disk.  Paint with another layer or sesame oil, sprinkle with 1/2 cup scallion greens, and roll up like a jelly roll again.  Twist into a spiral, flatten gently, and re-roll into a 7″ disk.  Repeat with remaining pancakes.

To make dipping sauce, combine 1 TB scallion greens, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger, and sugar and set aside at room temperature.

Heat oil in an 8″ nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and carefully slip pancake into the hot oil.  Cook, shaking the pan gently until first side is an even golden brown, about 2 minutes.  Carefully flip with a spatula or tongs (be careful not to splash the oil) and continue to cook, shaking pan gently, until second side is even golden brown, about 2 minutes longer.  Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.  Season with salt, cut into 6 wedges.  Serve immediately with sauce for dipping.  Repeat with remaining 3 pancakes.