Peking duck is among the most standard food items in China. Crispy, tender, and mostly consumed on special occasions, which could be in a home environment or an expensive restaurant, it is almost always on a menu somewhere. One such ingredient is; that it has been made from the traditional specialties of Peking duck meal with pancakes that are essential, which are then used to wrap and sauce the duck. The pancakes are kind of doughy with a soft texture, which would be a perfect match for the crispy skin and succulent flesh of the duck. The overall texture is going to be quite different from anything you have tried before.
In this blog, we will showcase to you the steps to achieve your own Peking duck pancakes from scratch complete with ingredients, variations, and a step-by-step guide to making them at home.
What Are Peking Duck Pancakes?
Peking Duck Pancakes are thin, soft Chinese-style pancakes made from a simple dough. These pancakes hold succulent duck meat, hoisin sauce, and fresh vegetables. The dough is traditionally made with hot water to create a texture that is soft and chewy for the excellent holding capacity of the flavorful filling.
Most likely every restaurant serving Peking duck has these pancakes because they are native to mainland China. They are steamed or pan-fried; most of the time, you will find these pancakes pan-fried in a home-cooked variety. The pancake is very simple but very versatile; it serves as the beautiful holding base for the rich flavors of the Peking duck and provides just the right contrast in texture.
Varieties of Peking Duck Pancakes
There are generally two main varieties of Peking duck pancakes:
Steamed Soft Pancakes: You find most of them being served in restaurants of Peking Duck. They are very soft and pillowy to hold when they are wrapped with duck meat and vegetables. These pancakes are steamed so that they remain smooth and pliable all the time.
Pan-fried Single Pancakes (单饼): Unlike their steamed variety, these pancakes are slightly crisp on the outside, but they are called "single pancakes and are normally used in home preparation or served with stir-fries or salads. They may not typically accompany Peking duck, but they will be a nice alternative for those who enjoy a bit of crunch in their pancake.
Ingredients for Peking Duck Pancakes
It is incredibly easy to prepare Peking duck pancakes at home with just a little bit of ingredient. It is all in the preparation of the dough, especially using boiling water, and how it can be made soft and chewy. All you now need is:
2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of the dough.
1 cup hot boiling water (plus an additional 20ml for adjustments): The hot water helps soften the dough, making it easier to roll out thinly.
3 tablespoons sesame oil (or other vegetable oil): This adds a subtle flavor and prevents the pancakes from sticking together.
How to Make Peking Duck Pancakes
Now as we have listed the ingredients, let us proceed with the different steps to prepare these yummy pancakes from scratch. Soft, chewy pancakes are made by following these instructions which indeed go well with your Peking Duck.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Take the all-purpose flour in a large bowl and slowly pour the piping hot boiling water into the bowl with the flour while gently stirring. The hot water technique will aid in making better pliability and softening the dough. Gradually mix enough water into the flour so that it can form the dough.
Once you have prepared the dough, just cover it with a wet cloth and let it rest for about 15 to 20 minutes. This will soften and make the dough much more pliable, making it easier to knead.
Step 2: Knead the Dough
Knead it to be smooth and elastic after the dough has rested. Soft and slightly tacky but not too sticky: that's how the dough should feel. Then, if it's too dry, add a little water; if too wet, then just a tad more flour. The consistency must be soft and malleable for rolling.
Step 3: Divide the Dough
Knead the dough till smooth and divide it into 18 equal portions to ensure uniformity in size with every pancake. Roll each part into a ball and set aside.
Step 4: Roll Out the Pancakes
Take one of the balls of dough and flatten it with your fingers or with a rolling pin. Brush a little oil on the surface of the spread-out dough. Place another small piece of dough on top of the previous one. Gently press the two pieces together and roll them out into a nice thin circle. The oil helps to separate the pancakes after cooking so that they can be peeled off easily.
Step 5: Pan-fry the Pancakes
Take a small amount of oil and heat in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Once heated, place the rolled dough into the pan and let it cook until one side is golden brown with crispy dots. It will take about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Once done, flip over and cook the other side until it's brown too.
Once cooked, take the pancake out of the pan and let it cool for some time before peeling apart the two layers. The pancake should be chewy-dry and crispy on the outside.
Step 6: Serve with Peking Duck
To serve, take the freshly made pancakes and fill them with Peking duck, hoisin sauce, and sliced vegetables such as cucumber and scallions. Simply wrap the pancakes around the duck and enjoy!
Tips for Making Perfect Peking Duck Pancakes
Use Boiling Water: Using hot boiling water as a dough mixture is the secret to soft and chewy pancakes. This method, most commonly known as "烫面" (tang mian), was to have the right texture in pancakes.
Rest the Dough: Allowing the dough to rest helps it become more pliable and easier to roll out.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When pan-frowning the pancakes, ensure there's plenty of space left in the pan so that every pancake can cook properly. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.
Conclusion
Making Peking Duck Pancakes at home is not only a fun activity but a totally rewarding one in the fact that it adds an authentic flavor to your Peking Duck meal. With just a few very simple ingredients and steps, it is possible to prepare some soft, chewy pancakes to perfectly let lose all those richer flavors of the duck itself. Whether steamed or pan-faked, these babies will surely take your homemade Peking duck recipe to a restaurant level.
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