Shanghai Da Bing Recipe

上海大饼

SHANGHAI DA BING

SESAME PANCAKE

Brought to you from the streets of Shanghai to your kitchen is the Shangai Da Bing or Sesame Pancake. This pancake has a savory filling and is topped with sesame seeds to give it that extra boost of flavor.

Ingredients

Dough

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

2 tsp sugar

¾ cup warm water

Filling

4 tbsp melted butter

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp Sichuan peppercorn powder

¼ tsp ground white pepper

3 scallions, very finely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

2. For the dough ingredients: Mix all of the ingredients together using an electric mixer (or by hand) to form a soft and smooth dough. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.

3. For the filling ingredients: Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl using a rubber spatula. Make sure everything is evenly mixed. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

4. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces.

5. Divide the pastry dough into 10 equal pieces and roll each into a ball while it’s still chilled.

6. Flatten the dough ball and wrap the pastry dough ball inside it.

7. Pinch the outer layer closed.

8. Flatten with the palm of your hand.

9. And roll out into an oval shape, about an eighth of an inch thick.

10. Fold the oval in half lengthwise, and roll into a coil.

11. Turn the roll on its side, and flatten with the palm of your hand once again.

12. Roll into another oval.

13. Place the da bing on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush lightly with water, and sprinkle generously with an even layer of sesame seeds, pressing them lightly into the dough.

14. Bake the da bing for 18 minutes until lightly golden brown. Be careful not to overbake them.