Savory Stuffed Breakfast Pancakes in the Chinese Style
Jian Bing, or Chinese-style savory-stuffed breakfast pancakes, are a beloved and traditional street food, particularly popular for breakfast and available throughout China. These crispy, savory pancakes offer a perfect harmony of flavors and textures, boasting a slightly chewy, crepe-like base topped with an array of ingredients, including eggs, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and hoisin or chili sauce. The inclusion of crunchy elements such as fried wontons or biscuits makes them an irresistible way to start the day. Here’s an elaborate recipe to create this delectable breakfast at home, allowing you to bring the tradition of Chinese street cuisine into your own kitchen.
Ingredients:
For the Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup mung bean flour, or an additional cup of all-purpose flour if mung bean flour is unavailable
- 2 cups water
- A pinch of salt
For the Filling:
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili sauce, or to taste
- 1 cup finely chopped green onions
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 cup finely chopped pickled vegetables (such as daikon, carrots, etc.)
- 4 large crackers or crispy fried wontons
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions:
- Prepare the Batter:
- In a large bowl, combine the mung bean flour, water, salt, and all-purpose flour. Mix until smooth and free of lumps. Allow the batter to rest for about fifteen minutes for a smoother texture.
- Cooking the Crepe:
- Preheat a crepe maker or nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Lightly coat the pan with oil to prevent sticking.
- Pour a ladleful of batter into the center of the pan. Quickly tilt and rotate the pan to spread the batter into a thin, even layer.
- Crack an egg onto the surface of the batter, spreading it out with a spoon or spatula to cover the pancake. Sprinkle some scallions on top of the egg and let the pancake cook for one to two minutes, or until the bottom is lightly browned and the edges start to lift from the pan.
- Add the Fillings:
- Drizzle hoisin and chili sauces over the cooked side of the pancake. Add the pickled vegetables and fresh cilantro.
- Place a cracker or crispy fried wonton in the center for added crunch.
- Fold and Serve:
- Gently fold the pancake in half over the fillings using a spatula, then fold it again to form a quarter. Lightly press to compact the fillings and the crispy component.
- Transfer the pancake to a cutting board, cut into small pieces, or serve it whole for an authentic street food experience.
- Repeat the process with the remaining batter and fillings to make additional pancakes.
These Chinese-style stuffed breakfast pancakes are a delightful and unique addition to your morning routine. With every bite, the savory flavor blends with the pancake’s tender, crispy texture and the delicious fillings, offering a satisfying and appetizing breakfast option. The fillings can be customized to suit your preferences or dietary needs, adding a personal touch to this traditional Chinese street food.
Weight Watchers Points:
To calculate the Weight Watchers points for this recipe, let’s break down the key ingredients:
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): Approximately 15 points
- Mung bean flour (1 cup): Approximately 10 points
- Eggs (4 large): Approximately 8 points
- Hoisin sauce (2 teaspoons): Approximately 1 point
- Chili sauce (2 teaspoons): Approximately 0 points (depending on the brand)
- Green onions (1 cup): 0 points
- Cilantro (1 cup): 0 points
- Pickled vegetables (1 cup): Approximately 1 point (depending on the type and brand)
- Crackers or crispy fried wontons (4 pieces): Approximately 4-6 points (depending on the size and brand)
- Olive oil for cooking: Approximately 4 points (assuming 2 tablespoons are used)
Total points for the entire recipe: Approximately 43-45 points.
If the recipe yields 4 servings, each serving would be approximately 11-12 points.
Please note that these points are approximate and can vary based on specific brands and measurements. It is always best to use the Weight Watchers app or calculator to get precise points for your ingredients.