Springtime Delight: Fragrant and Flavorful Wild Chive Pancakes (Dallae Jeon)
A Taste of Early Spring: Making Aromatic Wild Chive Pancakes
As the temperature slightly rises, the feeling of spring fills the air, making the heart flutter. Even though spring arrives every year, welcoming it after a long winter feels like a solemn and anticipated ceremony. Waiting for spring in Toronto, where new buds hardly appear even by May, requires considerable patience. However, the slightest increase in daylight hours brings a hopeful anticipation of spring. I spotted spring vegetables at the market today. In this lingering winter, before the snow has even melted, the first signs of spring are already on the shelves. It reminded me of the wild chive pancakes I used to enjoy making because of their beautiful appearance. I picked up a bunch of wild chives, bringing the essence of spring into my cart. And now, I’m returning home with spring.
Pancake Ingredients- 1 bunch wild chives (dallae)
- 10 cocktail shrimp or small shrimp
- 1 red chili pepper
Batter- 1/3 cup pancake mix (jeon garu)
- 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp water
- 1 egg
- Pinch of salt
- 1/3 cup pancake mix (jeon garu)
- 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp water
- 1 egg
- Pinch of salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thaw the cocktail shrimp by soaking them in cold water, then thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels. Trim the wild chives, removing any dirt or wilted leaves. Bunch them together in groups of 4-5 strands and tie them neatly. Thinly slice the red chili pepper, removing seeds, to add a touch of color.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the batter for the pancakes. In a bowl, combine the pancake mix and 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk until smooth and lump-free. Crack in one egg and add a pinch of salt. Stir everything together until you have a smooth, pourable batter. The consistency should be thick enough to coat the chives but not too stiff.
Step 3
Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Carefully dip each bunch of prepared wild chives into the batter, letting any excess drip off. Gently place the battered chive bunches onto the heated pan. Take care to arrange them nicely, ensuring they don’t stick to the pan.
Step 4
Once the chives are in the pan, place one shrimp and a few slices of red chili pepper on top of each chive bunch. Lightly press them down so they adhere to the batter. This will make the pancakes look appealing and ensure the toppings cook nicely as the pancake fries.
