Fragrant Spring Chwinamul Pancakes
A Special Spring Delicacy Filled with the Essence of Spring: Chwinamul Pancake Recipe
These Chwinamul (Korean aster) pancakes are so delicious, you’ll fall in love with their unique taste and aroma. Pleasantly nutty and subtly sweet, they make for a perfect spring treat that’s utterly irresistible.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 basket fresh Chwinamul (approx. 150-200g)
- 1/2 medium onion (approx. 50g)
- 70g zucchini
- 70g carrot
- 2 Cheongyang peppers (or Korean chili peppers for mild heat)
- 1 red chili pepper (for color)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients for your delicious Chwinamul pancakes. Fresh ingredients are key to a fantastic final dish!
Step 2
Here’s how to prepare the fresh Chwinamul. First, remove any yellow or wilted leaves. Trim off any thick, tough stems. Rinse the greens thoroughly under cold running water several times to remove any dirt or debris. Your Chwinamul is now ready!
Step 3
Once cleaned, roughly chop the Chwinamul into bite-sized pieces. Avoid chopping them too finely, as this can diminish the texture. Leaving them slightly larger will give the pancakes a more satisfying chew.
Step 4
Finely chop the Cheongyang peppers, removing the seeds if you prefer less heat. Thinly julienne the onion, carrot, and zucchini. Adding a variety of colorful vegetables will make your pancakes visually appealing.
Step 5
In a large bowl, combine the frying powder, shrimp powder (if using), egg, and salt. Gradually add the water while whisking with a fork or a whisk until you achieve a smooth batter without lumps. The amount of water might vary slightly depending on the frying powder, so add it gradually until you reach a pourable but not watery consistency. Getting the batter consistency right is crucial for tender pancakes.
Step 6
Add all your prepared vegetables to the batter bowl: the chopped Chwinamul, julienned carrot, zucchini, onion, and chopped chili peppers.
Step 7
Gently mix everything together with a spoon or spatula until the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Be careful not to overmix or mash the vegetables. Your Chwinamul pancake batter is now complete!
Step 8
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and generously add cooking oil. Once the pan is hot, ladle about one ladleful of batter onto the pan, spreading it into a round, flat shape. You can adjust the size of the pancake to your preference. Ensure it’s not too thick, so it cooks through evenly.
Step 9
When the edges of the pancake start to look crisp and golden brown, carefully flip it over. Use a spatula or tongs to press down gently and cook until both sides are golden and crispy. Keep an eye on the heat to prevent burning.
Step 10
Continue flipping and cooking until both sides are a beautiful golden brown. Your fragrant and delicious Chwinamul pancakes are ready! They taste best served hot off the pan.
