**Pajeon: A Savory Korean Pancake Delight**
Pajeon, also known as scallion pancakes, is a beloved Korean dish that is both delicious and versatile. This savory pancake is made with a batter of wheat flour, rice flour, eggs, and water, and is filled with a variety of ingredients such as scallions, kimchi, seafood, and vegetables. Pajeon can be served as an appetizer, main course, or snack, and is often enjoyed with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.
This article provides two variations of the pajeon recipe: a classic scallion pancake and a kimchi pajeon. The classic scallion pancake is a simple yet flavorful dish that showcases the fresh flavors of scallions. The kimchi pajeon, on the other hand, adds a spicy and tangy twist to the traditional recipe. Both recipes are easy to follow and can be made with ingredients that are readily available at most grocery stores.
Whether you are a fan of Korean cuisine or simply looking for a new and exciting dish to try, pajeon is sure to please. With its crispy exterior, tender interior, and savory fillings, this pancake is a culinary delight that will leave you craving more. So gather your ingredients and let's get cooking!
VEGETABLE PAJEON (KOREAN SCALLION PANCAKES WITH VEGETABLES)
Crisp at the edges, soft at the center and filled scallions and other vegetables, these irresistible, comforting pancakes (adapted from Sohui Kim of Insa and the Good Fork restaurants in Brooklyn) make for a quick dinner that you can throw together on any given weeknight. It's extremely forgiving, so feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Ms. Kim recommends finely shredded raw vegetables, or even leftover cooked vegetables. And if you don't have the bandwidth to make a dipping sauce, a drizzle of soy sauce and squirt of Sriracha adds verve without any work. Serve pajeon by itself or topped with a fried egg or two, if you want to add protein.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, weekday, pancakes, vegetables, main course
Time 30m
Yield 3 to 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
PAJEON (파 전 / SCALLION PANCAKES)
While this recipe features scallions, Korean pancakes can be filled with almost anything: garlic chives, ramps, chrysanthemum leaves. If you want something a little more substantial, add squid or shrimp cut into bite-sized pieces.
Provided by Hooni Kim
Categories Dinner Pancake Green Onion/Scallion Pan-Fry Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Vegetarian
Yield Makes 4 or 5 pancakes
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- To make the batter, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, sugar, doenjang, and pepper in a medium bowl and mix well to blend. Add the club soda, egg yolk, and garlic and mix gently using a whisk. Do not whisk too much, or extra gluten will form in the batter, making it too thick and doughy. Whisk about 10 times, then let the batter rest for 10 minutes in the freezer so any remaining small clumps of flour can dissolve and blend into the mixture by themselves.
- When you're ready to make the pancakes, line a sheet pan with paper towels and set aside. Place scallions in a medium bowl and fold in just enough cold batter to hold the scallions together.
- Set a 10-inch nonstick sauté pan over high heat and add about 1 tablespoon of the oil. When the oil begins to shimmer and just barely smoke, add 1 cup of the scallion batter to the center of the pan. Using a spatula, spread it out to form a 7-inch pancake. (You don't want the pancake to touch the sides of the pan, or the edges may burn before the center is cooked through.) Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the bottom of the pancake has set. Once it has set, gently slide your spatula under the edges of the pancake and lift them, tilting the pan, so some of the hot oil runs underneath the pancake. Then cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the bottom is a deep golden brown and crisp. You can check the color by gently lifting an edge of the pancake with your spatula. Flip the pancake and cook on the other side for 3 to 4 minutes, until it is golden brown on the second side and cooked through. Transfer to the prepared sheet pan to drain. Wipe out the pan, set it back over high heat, add another tablespoon or so of oil, and repeat until all of the pancakes are cooked. The finished pancakes can be kept in a low (200°F) oven on a clean sheet pan while you cook the remaining batches, but it's best to eat them right away.
- Cut each pancake into quarters and serve with small bowls of the Pajeon Sauce and ice-cold makgeolli (Korean rice wine).
PAJEON (SCALLION PANCAKES)
Steps:
- To make the batter, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, sugar, doenjang, and pepper in a medium bowl and mix well to blend. Add the club soda, egg yolk, and garlic and mix gently using a whisk. Do not whisk too much, or extra gluten will form in the batter, making it too thick and doughy. Whisk about 10 times, then let the batter rest for 10 minutes in the freezer so any remaining small clumps of flour can dissolve and blend into the mixture by themselves.
- When you're ready to make the pancakes, line a sheet pan with paper towels and set aside. Fold the scallions into the cold batter.
- Set a 10-inch nonstick sauté pan over high heat and add about 1 tablespoon of the oil. When the oil begins to shimmer and just barely smoke, add 1 cup of the scallion batter to the center of the pan. Using a spatula, spread it out to form a 7-inch pancake. (You don't want the pancake to touch the sides of the pan, or the edges may burn before the center is cooked through.) Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the bottom of the pancake has set. Once it has set, gently slide your spatula under the edges of the pancake and lift them, tilting the pan, so some of the hot oil runs underneath the pancake. Then cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the bottom is a deep golden brown and crisp. You can check the color by gently lifting an edge of the pancake with your spatula. Flip the pancake and cook on the other side for 3 to 4 minutes, until it is golden brown on the second side and cooked through. Transfer to the prepared sheet pan to drain. Wipe out the pan, set it back over high heat, add another tablespoon or so of oil, and repeat until all of the pancakes are cooked. The finished pancakes can be kept in a low (200°F) oven on a clean sheet pan while you cook the remaining batches, but it's best to eat them right away.
- Cut each pancake into quarters and serve with small bowls of the sauce
Tips:
- Use high-quality scallions: Fresh, flavorful scallions are essential for making great pajeon. Look for scallions with bright green leaves and white bulbs that are firm and not too thick.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking pajeon, it's important to not overcrowd the pan. This will prevent the pancakes from cooking evenly and will make them more likely to stick to the pan.
- Be patient: Pajeon takes a little time to cook. Don't rush the process or you'll end up with undercooked pancakes. Cook the pancakes over medium-low heat until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce: Pajeon is traditionally served with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil. You can also serve it with other dipping sauces, such as sweet and sour sauce or hoisin sauce.
Conclusion:
Pajeon is a delicious and easy-to-make Korean pancake that is perfect for any occasion. With its crispy exterior and flavorful interior, pajeon is a surefire hit with people of all ages. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give pajeon a try. You won't be disappointed!
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