Scallion Pancakes (Cong You Bing)

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 cup Boiling Water
• 1/2 cup Cold Water
• 1 cup Scallions
• 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt

Original measure retained: its cup/spoon or fluid-volume standard is unspecified.

Instructions

1. 1In a large bowl, combine the 2 cups of All-Purpose Flour and the 1 cup of Boiling Water. Stir with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Add the 1/2 cup of Cold Water and knead the dough with your hands in the bowl for 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. This resting period helps the gluten relax, making the dough easier to roll.
2. 2Lightly flour a clean work surface. Divide the rested dough into 4 equal portions. Take one portion and roll it out with a rolling pin into a thin circle, about 20.32-25.4 cm in diameter. Repeat with the remaining 3 portions of dough.
3. 3Brush the surface of one rolled-out dough circle evenly with about 1 tablespoon of the 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the chopped Scallions over the oiled surface and add a pinch of the 1 teaspoon Salt. Roll the circle up tightly into a log shape.
4. 4Gently coil the log into a spiral shape, tucking the end underneath. Press down on the coiled dough with the palm of your hand to flatten it slightly into a pancake shape, about 1.27 cm thick. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the remaining 3 dough portions.
5. 5Place a 25.4 cm skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the remaining 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil to the skillet. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, carefully place one flattened pancake into the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until the pancake is golden brown and crispy. You should hear a gentle sizzle as it cooks.
6. 6Remove the cooked pancake from the skillet and place it on a plate. Add another tablespoon of the remaining 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil to the skillet and repeat step 5 with the remaining 3 pancakes. Cook each pancake for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
7. 7Once all pancakes are cooked, arrange them on a serving platter. Drizzle the 1 tablespoon of Sesame Oil evenly over the hot pancakes just before serving. The sesame oil will add a fragrant aroma.

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