Pajeon Korean Spring Onion Scallion Pancake Recipes

PAJEON, KOREAN SPRING ONION (SCALLION) PANCAKE

Steps:

• Mix the soybean paste with about 1 tablespoon of the water to lighten.
• Place everything into a bowl and mix it all up with a handheld whisk or wooden spoon until you get a smooth batter. Set aside.
• Clean the spring onions and cut them in half, we will be using the whole thing, white and green parts.
• I like to slice them in half lengthwise too, but that's completely up to you. It does depend on the thickness, I don't bother with the thin ones.
• Heat the oil in a medium frying pan on medium high heat.
• Add the spring onions to the hot oil in roughly, a rectangular shape, and leave them to cook for a minute.
• Pour the batter all over the spring onions, covering them completely. You can leave the batter in the shape of a rectangle, following the spring onion or cover the whole pan, as I do, bearing in mind, that the edges of the circle doesn't have any onions.
• After 2-3 minutes, the top of the pajeon will no longer be runny, the batter would have started to set. If the edges are browning too much, lower the heat to medium. Cook for another 2 minutes, then very carefully, using your widest spatula, flip the pajeon over to cook the other side. Use a second spatula to hold the top to help you flip, if you have trouble. The other alternative is to slide the pajeon onto a plate, place the frying pan onto the plate and flip the whole pancake back into the pan.
• Cook for a further 3 minutes or so, until you have a crispy pancake on the bottom side too. Lift to check.
• Slide onto a plate and slice in little squares and serve immediately with the dipping sauce.

SCALLION PANCAKE (PAJEON)

Steps:

• Batter: In a large bowl, add flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, sugar, and pepper. Mix well and set aside. In another bowl, add egg yolks, club soda, and soy sauce. Smash and peel the garlic, then finely chop. Use the flat part of your knife to press down on the garlic to further break it down, then continue to mince. Place garlic in the bowl with the wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and gently whisk, just enough to combine. (Do not over-whisk, or you will form extra gluten in the batter, making it too doughy.) Cover with plastic and let rest in the refrigerator, allowing any small lumps in the batter to dissolve, 10-15 minutes.
• Trim and discard scallion roots and the very tips of the greens. Slice scallion greens into 1½-inch batons; cut the denser white parts slightly shorter, about 1 inch. Chop the Chinese chives into 1-inch batons. Combine chives and scallions in a bowl.
• Dipping sauce: In a small bowl, add soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin, and rice vinegar. Stir to blend. Reserve at room temperature until ready to use. Makes about ¼ cup. (Note: Dipping sauce can be made several days ahead and stored in a lidded container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Heat skillet over high heat. Remove batter from refrigerator and quickly whisk, about 10 seconds. Ladle just enough batter into the scallions and chives to hold them together; mix with your hand until every scallion and chive is coated with batter. (You will have leftover batter.) Add ¾ of the oil to the hot skillet, enough to cover the bottom in a thin layer. When the oil is rippling, add the pancake mixture: spread it in an even layer across the skillet, without letting it touch the sides of the skillet. (Otherwise, the edges will burn before the center is cooked through.) Ladle another ½-cup batter across the top of the pancake and cook until it's golden brown on the bottom, 2-3 minutes. Lower the temperature if the pancake is browning too quickly.
• Gently slide a spatula (or two, if necessary) under the pancake and flip it, using caution to avoid oil splatter. Cook 2-3 more minutes, flattening the top with spatula, and occasionally shaking the skillet so some of the hot oil runs underneath the pancake. Add more oil as necessary to maintain a thin layer in the skillet. When the bottom is a deep golden brown, flip one more time and cook another 2 minutes.
• Remove pancake from skillet and transfer onto several layers of paper towels to drain excess oil. Cut pancake into 6 wedges, like a pizza, and serve immediately with dipping sauce. (Note: Extra batter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days; make another pancake using scallions or any seasonal leafy green.)

VEGETABLE PAJEON (KOREAN SCALLION PANCAKES WITH VEGETABLES)

Steps:

• Prepare the pancakes: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, potato starch, salt and baking powder.
• In a medium bowl, combine water, egg and kimchi. Whisk kimchi mixture into flour mixture, and whisk until smooth. Fold in vegetables and about three-quarters of the scallions. (Save the rest for garnish.)
• In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Scoop 1/4 cup portions of batter into the skillet, as many as will fit while not touching, flatten, and fry until dark golden on the bottom, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue to fry until other side is browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with a little more salt. Continue with remaining batter.
• Before serving, make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, vinegar, ginger or garlic (if using), sesame oil and sugar. Sprinkle sliced scallion over pancakes, and serve with dipping sauce on the side.

KOREAN SCALLION PANCAKES (PAJEON)

Steps:

• Make the pancakes:.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, sugar, salt, and pepper; stir to blend.
• In a separate small bowl, add the soy sauce, garlic, doenjang, and egg yolks; whisk to combine. Add this mixture and the club soda into the dry ingredients. Whisk about 10 times, then transfer to the freezer and let rest 10 minutes (this will help any remaining clumps incorporate).
• Meanwhile, make the dipping sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk the soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
• Retrieve the batter and fold in the scallion pieces. If the batter is too thick, add more club soda, 1⁄4 cup at a time, and mix well.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels, and set it next to the stove.
• In a 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1⁄2 cup of the oil over high heat. Once shimmering, carefully add 1 cup of the batter to the center of the pan. Using a spatula, spread to form a 7-inch pancake; avoid letting the batter touch the sides if possible (to prevent the edges from burning before the center is cooked through).
• Lower the heat to medium and cook until the bottom of the pancake has set, 2-3 minutes. Gently slide a spatula under the edge of the pancake and lift it, tilting the pan so some of the hot oil runs underneath the pancake. Cook until the bottom is crispy and deep golden brown, 2-3 minutes more. Carefully flip the pancake, being careful not to let the oil splash, and cook on the remaining side until golden brown and cooked through, 3-4 minutes.
• Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, letting the paper towels absorb any excess oil.
• Place the pan back over high heat, and add 2-3 tablespoons more oil if needed. Repeat the process until all the batter is used. To keep the finished pancakes warm and crispy, set them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in a low (200°) oven.
• Cut each pancake into pieces and serve with the dipping sauce on the side.