Shandong-style Crispy Meat Pancakes

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the traditional Turkish çiğ börek is transformed into Shandong-style Crispy Meat Pancakes. The original dish is typically made with a dough wrapper and filled with ground meat, onions, and spices. In the Shandong version, the dough wrapper is replaced with a thin pancake, and the filling is seasoned with Shandong-specific spices to create a distinct flavor profile. The cooking technique also differs, as the Shandong-style pancakes are pan-fried to achieve a crispy texture. We alse have the original recipe for Çiğ börek, so you can check it out.

• For the pancake: For the pancake:
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (235ml) water 1 cup (235ml) water
• Vegetable oil for frying Vegetable oil for frying
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 1 pound (450g) ground meat (pork or beef) 1 pound (450g) ground meat (pork or beef)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry) 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 2 green onions, finely chopped 2 green onions, finely chopped
• Salt to taste Salt to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt for the pancake. Gradually add water while stirring until a smooth batter forms. Set aside for 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the ground meat, chopped onion, minced garlic, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, grated ginger, sugar, white pepper, five-spice powder, green onions, and salt. Ensure the filling is well combined.
3. 3.
   Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with oil. Pour a ladleful of the pancake batter into the skillet and swirl it around to form a thin pancake. Cook until the edges start to crisp up and the bottom turns golden brown. Flip the pancake and cook the other side until golden brown as well. Repeat with the remaining batter.
4. 4.
   Place a spoonful of the meat filling onto one half of the pancake. Fold the other half over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly to seal.
5. 5.
   Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the filled pancakes in the skillet and cook until both sides are crispy and golden brown.
6. 6.
   Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground meat — Ensure the meat is well-seasoned and mixed with the other ingredients to enhance the flavor of the filling.
• Shaoxing wine — If you don't have Shaoxing wine, you can substitute it with dry sherry for a similar flavor.
• Five-spice powder — This aromatic spice blend is essential for the authentic Shandong taste. If unavailable, you can make your own by combining equal parts ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra crispiness, you can brush the pancakes with a little oil before frying.
• Experiment with different fillings such as shrimp, mushrooms, or vegetables to create your own variations.
• Serve the pancakes with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil for an added kick.
• Make a larger batch of pancakes and freeze the leftovers for a quick and convenient snack or meal option.
• To reheat the frozen pancakes, simply place them in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

Serving advice

Serve the Shandong-style Crispy Meat Pancakes hot as an appetizer or as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad or steamed vegetables. They can also be enjoyed on their own as a delicious snack.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden pancakes on a platter, showcasing their crispy texture. Garnish with finely chopped green onions for a pop of color. Serve with a small bowl of dipping sauce on the side for an inviting presentation.