Choi Yang-rak’s Asan Pear Pancake
Asan’s Local Specialty ‘Baejeon’ Featured on ‘Saengsaengjeongbo’, Homemade Recipe
Introducing ‘Baejeon’, a unique local delicacy from Asan, Choi Yang-rak’s hometown, as featured on ‘Saengsaengjeongbo’! Unlike Andong pears, Asan pears have a distinct charm. This recipe, inspired by the show’s exploration of pear dishes like ‘Baemallangi’, ‘Baeseulgi’, pear salad, and baked pears, allows you to easily recreate this delightful pear pancake at home. The combination of warm, sweet pear and savory pancake batter is a treat for all ages.
Ingredients- 1/2 pear (a slightly firm pear works best)
- 1 cup flour (all-purpose or pancake mix can be used)
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup water (adjust based on batter consistency)
- 1 red chili pepper (for color and a hint of spice)
- Pinch of salt (for salting the pear)
- A little vegetable oil (for frying)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the pear thoroughly, remove the core, and peel it thinly. Then, julienne it as finely as possible. Add a pinch of salt to the julienned pear and gently mix. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to draw out moisture, making it easier to squeeze out the excess water. For the red chili pepper, remove the stem and seeds, then julienne it into thin strips, similar in length to the pear.
Step 2
Squeeze out the excess water from the pear and place it in a bowl along with the julienned red chili pepper. Crack in 1 egg and add 1/3 cup of water. Finally, add 1 cup of flour (or pancake mix) and mix everything together until a smooth batter forms, ensuring there are no lumps. Adjust the consistency by adding a little more water if it’s too thick, or a bit more flour if it’s too thin. You should have a thick, pourable batter.
Step 3
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, ladle about one serving of the batter onto the pan and spread it thinly. Cook until golden brown and crispy on both sides. When the edges start to look cooked and slightly dry, carefully flip the pancake and cook the other side until golden brown. The natural moisture and sweetness from the pear, combined with the savory flavors of the flour and egg, create a delicious Baejeon.
