CHINESE PAN CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Mix flour and 1 teaspoon salt together in a large bowl; pour in boiling water and quickly mix together until water is absorbed. Work cold water, about 1 tablespoon at a time, into flour mixture just until dough forms. Knead dough for 10 minutes. Cover bowl with a damp cloth and let dough rest for 40 minutes.
• Turn dough onto a lightly floured work surface; divide into 4 equal pieces.
• Roll 1 piece of dough into a large thin round; brush the top with vegetable oil and sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 the green onions. Pick up 1 end of the round and roll dough around green onions into a long scroll-shape. Take 1 scroll end and roll dough into a disk. Repeat with remaining dough, letting each disk rest for 10 minutes.
• Heat about 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Place 1 disk on a floured surface and roll into a 1/2-inch thick round; cook in the hot oil until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining disks.

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups flour and sugar in a food processor (see Tips). With the motor running add boiling water and process until the dough forms a ball and completely pulls away from the sides. The dough should not be sticky or dry. If it's sticky, add 1 to 2 tablespoons flour and process for a few seconds more. If it seems dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons cold water and process for a few seconds more.
• Remove the dough and knead with lightly floured hands for 30 seconds. It should be smooth and elastic. Lightly dust a medium bowl with flour, place the dough in it and cover with a damp kitchen towel. Let rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Lightly dust your work surface and hands with flour. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and cover with a damp kitchen towel. One at a time, form each piece into a ball, then flatten with one hand to make a thick disc. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll into a 7-inch round. Lightly brush with 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil. Evenly sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons chives, then tightly roll into a fat rope. Tightly coil the rope, pinching the end of rope to seal. Cover with a dampened kitchen towel and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Dust the work surface and rolling pin with flour and roll each coiled bun into a 7-inch round. Cover with a dampened towel. (The dough can be held at room temperature, covered, for up to 4 hours.)
• Lined a cutting board with several thicknesses of paper towels. Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or large heavy skillet (not nonstick) over high heat until a bead of water vaporizes within 1 to 2 seconds of contact. Swirl in 1 1/2 teaspoons peanut (or grapeseed) oil and reduce heat to medium. Carefully add 1 pancake and cook, lightly pressing with a metal spatula, until lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully turn the pancake over and cook, pressing with the spatula, until golden on the second side, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer pancake to the prepared cutting board. Cook the remaining pancakes, using 1 1/2 teaspoons oil per batch and adjusting heat between medium-high and medium, so that there's a constant sizzling and the oil gives off a wisp of smoke. (If there's lots of smoke the heat is too high.) Cut each pancake into 6 to 8 wedges and serve immediately.