Spring

Ramp-Sesame Pancakes with Miso Dipping Sauce

by:
October  4, 2022
0
0 Ratings
  • Makes 8 four-inch pancakes
Author Notes

I was at the market with my hand on a bunch of scallions when I spied the ramps out of the corner of my eye. I make green onion pancakes all the time. But ramp pancakes? The chance only comes for a short window each year, and I was on the case.

This recipe is based on the idea for a traditional Chinese scallion pancake but made with ramps and served with a thick, savory dipping sauce. This recipe is a great opportunity to use the jar of bacon fat you have in your refrigerator; peanut oil is also a great flavor booster, but canola oil will work just fine. If you'd like a lighter, more traditional dip, try soy sauce with a small amount of rice vinegar and a dash of sesame oil. The miso dip is also great on all kinds of vegetables and makes a great salad dressing.

And when ramps aren't in season, I go ahead and make this recipe with fragrant green onions sliced super-thin. —vvvanessa

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Ramp-Sesame Pancakes
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 15-20 ramps, white and pink parts finely chopped to yield about 1/2 cup
  • bacon fat, peanut oil, or canola oil
  • Miso Dipping Sauce
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons yellow or brown miso paste
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 3 dashes toasted sesame oil
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • ground cayenne pepper (optional)
Directions
  1. For the pancakes, combine the flour, sesame seeds, and salt in a medium bowl. Slowly pour in the boiling water, stirring with a fork to combine. The mixture will be thick and hard to work, but keep at it until it's cool enough to start kneading by hand. If it's too tacky, add in another tablespoon or two of flour until the dough is workable. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until smooth. Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest, covered with damp towel in the bowl, for 30 minutes.
  2. In the meantime, combine the ingredients for the miso sauce, adding in ground black pepper and cayenne to taste. Mix well. Keep covered and refrigerated until ready to use.
  3. When the dough has rested, divide it equally into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. On a lightly floured board, roll a dough ball out to a flat circle about 1/4-inch thick. Spread a heaping teaspoon of the ramps all over the dough.
  4. Starting at the edge of the circle, roll the dough up into a tight cigar.
  5. Coil the cigar into a snail or a cinnamon roll shape.
  6. Flatten the snail/roll and roll it out again to about 1/4-inch thick.
  7. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
  8. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add in a half teaspoon of bacon fat, peanut oil, or canola oil.
  9. Cook the pancake for 60-90 seconds on each side or until golden brown, adjusting the heat as necessary. Move the finished pancake into a warm oven until the rest of the pancakes are done.
  10. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Slice the pancakes into quarters and serve with the miso sauce.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • student epicure
    student epicure
  • vvvanessa
    vvvanessa
  • mrslarkin
    mrslarkin
  • VtPaws
    VtPaws

8 Reviews

student E. November 25, 2013
love it! what a great twist on scallion pancakes!
 
vvvanessa November 26, 2013
Thanks! If only ramp season could be a little longer...
 
VtPaws April 15, 2012
Anyone have any thoughts on cooking these on a grill instead of frying ?

Thanks for the recipe!
 
vvvanessa April 15, 2012
I might try to roll the dough out a little thinner (as you might for a grilled pizza), but I bet it would work great. Thanks for the great idea!
 
vvvanessa April 13, 2012
Lucky you, mrslarkin! I just paid an embarrassing amount of money for mine!
 
mrslarkin April 13, 2012
At least you have acquired yours legally. Me, I'm not so sure. ;) Do you eat the green leaves, too? I do.
 
vvvanessa April 13, 2012
I do eat the greens (especially at $13/pound!). I love them sautéed.
 
mrslarkin April 13, 2012
Awesome use of ramps! Can't wait to go foraging.