Cong You Bing Scallion Pancakes with Dipping Sauce

Method11 steps · about 1 hr

1. 1

   Step 1: Stir all 1½ cups dough flour with the ½ cup hot dough water until a rough dough forms. Use a spoon while the water is hot; handle the dough once it is comfortable to touch.

   Uses 1½ cups all-purpose flour for the dough · ½ cup hot water for the dough

   
2. 2

   Step 2: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until smooth. Return it to the bowl.

   Uses All dough from step 1 · Unmeasured flour used to dust the kneading surface

   
3. 3

   Step 3: Cover the kneaded dough with plastic wrap or a clean towel and rest it for 30 minutes. While it rests, wash and dry the scallions (2): thinly slice the two pancake scallions and keep the separate 1 tbsp chopped sauce scallion aside. Peel and mince the garlic (1 clove). Prepare the sauce in step 4.

   Finish the covered dough rest · 30 minUses All kneaded dough from step 2 · 2 scallions (thinly sliced) · 1 clove garlic (finely minced) · 1 tablespoon scallion (chopped) · Unmeasured scallion washing water, drained and discarded

   
4. 4

   Step 4: Mix all 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp Chinese black vinegar, the separate 1 tbsp sauce water and ⅛ tsp sugar with the prepared minced garlic and separate tablespoon of chopped sauce scallion. Stir until the sugar dissolves and set aside.

   Uses 1 tablespoon soy sauce · 1 teaspoon Chinese black vinegar · 1 tablespoon water · ⅛ tsp sugar for the dipping sauce · All one minced garlic clove from step 3 · All separate 1 tbsp chopped sauce scallion from step 3

5. 5

   Step 5: After the 30-minute rest, divide the dough into three equal pieces. Roll each on a lightly floured surface into a 7-inch circle, lifting and quarter-turning it as you roll to prevent sticking.

   Uses All rested dough from step 3, excluding the separately prepared scallions and garlic · Unmeasured dusting flour for rolling the three dough pieces

6. 6

   Step 6: Brush each circle lightly with oil and sprinkle with salt to taste. Divide all the thinly sliced pancake scallions between the three circles. Roll each circle into a cigar, coil it into a spiral, then roll the coil into a pancake about 6 inches across, keeping enough thickness to preserve the layers.

   Uses All three seven-inch dough circles from step 5 · All thin slices from the two pancake scallions prepared in step 3 · Salt drawn as needed to sprinkle inside all three pancakes · Unmeasured light brushing oil for all three dough circles

7. 7

   Step 7: Divide the 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds between the three pancakes and press them lightly into the surfaces. Keep the pancakes ready beside the stove.

   Uses All three shaped pancakes from step 6 · 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

8. 8

   Step 8: Heat a nonstick or cast-iron skillet with about 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Add the first pancake and fry its first face for about 3 minutes, until golden brown. Adjust the heat to brown it steadily without burning.

   Check the first pancake face · 3 minUses One of the three equal pancakes from step 7 · About 1 tbsp frying oil drawn from the divided allowance for the pan

9. 9

   Step 9: Turn the first pancake and fry its second face for about 3 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Lift it to a clean plate, keeping the pan oil for the next pancakes.

   Check the second pancake face · 3 minUses All first pancake and pan oil from step 8 before lifting the pancake

10. 10

    Step 10: Fry the remaining two pancakes in turn, using the same pan and adding a little more oil only as needed. Give each face about 3 minutes, turning when golden; continue until each pancake is cooked through. Lift each finished pancake to the plate.

    Uses Two of the three equal pancakes from step 7 · Oil left in the pan after the first pancake was lifted in step 9 · Conditional additional pan-frying oil for the remaining pancakes

11. 11

    Step 11: Cut all three cooked pancakes into wedges and share between four snack portions. Serve immediately with the prepared garlic, scallion and soy dipping sauce.

    Uses The first pancake lifted to the plate in step 9, excluding pan oil · The two cooked pancakes lifted in step 10, excluding pan oil · Dipping sauce prepared in step 4, served as desired