Cong you bing is Mandarin for the classic Chinese scallion pancake. The scallion pancake has been present in Chinese and Taiwan cuisine for centuries. Myth suggests that the pancake originated in Shanghai. This pancake is similar to the Indian paratha and there are many Indian peoples in Shanghai. There is a further legend that Marco Polo brought back the dough used to make the pancake to Italy and Italian chefs used that dough to create pizza, therefore pizza’s origination.
Chinese Chive and Scallion Pancakes
In my version, I have added Chinese chives to the scallions. It makes a great "pancake".
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 ½ cups King Arthur All Purpose Floud
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
- ¾ cup Boiling Water
Coating
- 1 TBSP canol oil or peanut oil
- 1 TBSP Sesame Oil
- 1 TBSP King Arthur All Purpose Flour
Filling
- 5 Scallions sliced thinkly
- ¼ cup sliced Chinese Chives ~ 1.4 inch long
Instructions
Dough
- Place the flour and salt in a bowl and mix well.
- Pour in the boiling water and mix well.
- Form into a dough ball, place on a floured surface and Knead.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and set aside for at least 30 minutes.
Coating
- Mix the canola (or peanut), sesame oils. Add the flour and mix well.
Filling
- Mix the scallions and chives together in a small bowl.
Assembly
- Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Roll the dough using a rolling pin, roll into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
- Paint each rectangle with the oil/flour mixture.
- Take half of the scallion/chive mixture and sprinkle it over each painted dough rectangle.
- Roll up each pancake into a "tube". Take the "tube" and make a spiral circle. Tuck in the free end.
- Using the rolling pin flatten the spiral into a round pancake, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Using a nonstick pan, add 1 tbsp oil. Heat the oil at low moderate. Fry the pancake to a dark brown color. Take time with this and cook slowly.
- Cut the pancake into wedges. Serve with the dipping sauce, see below.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
There are a number of dipping sauces that can be used here. Classically the soy-vinegar dipping sauce is used.
Soy and Vinegar Dipping Sauce
This is a dipping sauce that can be used for multiple dishes, and classically for the pancakes above.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup regular soy sauce
- 2 tbsp water
- 4 tsp Rice vinegar, plain
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 green scallions sliced thin
- 1 tsp Chili garlic sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Add the soy sauce, waterr, vinegar, honey, sesame oil, scallions and chili garlic sauce to a small bowl. Mix well.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
