Scallion Pancakes (Cong You Bing)

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Boiling water
• 1/2 cup Cold water
• 1 cup Scallions
• 2 tablespoons Sesame oil
• 4 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon White pepper

Instructions

1. 1In a large bowl, combine the 2 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 cup of boiling water. Stir with a spoon or chopsticks until a shaggy dough forms.
2. 2Add the 1/2 cup of cold water to the bowl and knead the dough directly in the bowl for about 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel 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.
3. 3Lightly flour a clean work surface. Divide the rested dough into 4 equal portions. Gently flatten each portion into a rough circle.
4. 4Using a rolling pin, roll each portion of dough into a thin circle, about 8-10 inches in diameter. Aim for a thickness of about 1/16 inch. If the dough is sticky, add a tiny bit more flour to your work surface and rolling pin.
5. 5Brush the surface of each thin dough circle evenly with 1/2 tablespoon of the 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the 1 cup of chopped scallions, 1/4 teaspoon of the 1 teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of the 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper over the sesame oil.
6. 6Starting from one edge, tightly roll up each dressed circle into a long log. Once you have a log, carefully coil it into a flat spiral shape, tucking the end underneath. Gently flatten the spiral with your rolling pin to form a pancake about 6 inches in diameter.
7. 7Heat 1 tablespoon of the 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat (350°F / 175°C). Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place one flattened pancake into the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until the pancake is golden brown and crispy on both sides.
8. 8Remove the cooked pancake from the skillet and place it on a plate. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining 3 pancakes, adding 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet for each one. You may need to adjust the heat slightly to maintain a medium temperature and prevent burning.

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