RECIPE: Chinese Spring Onion Pancakes from Matthews Cotswold Flour

Chinese Spring Onion Pancake Recipe

Ingredients: 

250g Matthews Regenerative All Purpose Flour (plus 2tbsp for the filling)

170g Water (hot, straight from a boiled kettle)

3tbsp Lard (or vegetable oil to make these vegan)

1tsp Salt 

½ tsp White Pepper

1tsp Chinese Five Spice

3-4 Spring Onions (finely sliced)

Vegetable Oil, for frying

A spokesman for Matthews Cotswold Flour told That's Food and Drink: "To help us celebrate Chinese New Year, our in-house pro baker (Sophie Carey) has shared this tasty Chinese style pancakes recipe! Brilliant with some crispy duck, filled with veg and/or meats and steamed or fried as dumplings, or just served with sauce for dipping!"  

Baker: Sophie Carey

Makes: 10-15 pancakes

Prep time: 25 minutes

Bake time: 6 minutes

Chinese Spring Onion Pancake Method:

In a bowl, mix together your flour and water with a pinch of salt until a dough forms. Wrap this in clingfilm and leave to rest on the counter for 15 minutes

Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to a rectangle of 30cm x 40cm, or until it is about 2mm thick

In a small bowl, mix together the melted lard and flour with the spices and salt until they form a paste

Spread this paste evenly across the rolled out dough and sprinkle them with the spring onions

Starting at the top, roll the pastry up like you would a Swiss roll

Trim the ends and cut the log into rounds measuring about 5 or 6cm 

Place the rounds cut side up (so you can see the swirl of the pastry) and use a rolling pin to flatten these to the thickness of 1cm

Place a frying pan on a medium heat and add a little vegetable oil. Once hot, fry the pancakes for a few minutes on either side until golden brown

Serve hot - make sure to rip them apart to see how flaky they are! Enjoy with your favourite Chinese dishes or with chilli oil for dipping!

Celebrating Chinese New Year with Food and Drink: A British Guide

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time of joy, family reunions, and cultural traditions. 

As one of the most significant holidays in the Chinese calendar, it offers a wonderful opportunity to indulge in a feast of symbolic dishes and celebratory drinks. 

Here’s how you can embrace the festive spirit and celebrate Chinese New Year with food and drink in true style.

Understanding the Symbolism of Food

Food plays a central role in Chinese New Year celebrations, with each dish carrying a special meaning tied to prosperity, health, and happiness. 

When planning your menu, consider including these traditional options:

Dumplings (Jiǔozi): Representing wealth and prosperity, dumplings are shaped like ancient Chinese ingots. Fill them with minced pork, prawns, or vegetables, and serve them steamed or pan-fried.

Fish (Yú): The Chinese word for fish sounds like “surplus,” symbolising abundance. Serve a whole fish, but be sure to leave some uneaten to ensure prosperity spills over into the next year.

Longevity Noodles: These unbroken noodles signify long life. Serve them stir-fried or in a broth, but remember not to cut them while cooking or eating.

Spring Rolls: Resembling gold bars, these crispy delights symbolise wealth. Fill them with a mix of shredded vegetables, meat, or seafood.

Sweet Rice Cakes (Niángāo): Made from glutinous rice flour, these sticky cakes represent progress and growth. They can be steamed, pan-fried, or even baked.

Drinks to Complement the Feast

Pairing the right beverages with your Chinese New Year meal can enhance the festive atmosphere. Here are some ideas:

Chinese Tea: Start your celebration with a pot of jasmine, oolong, or pu-erh tea. Tea not only aids digestion but also adds a touch of authenticity to your gathering.

Baijiu: This traditional Chinese spirit is often enjoyed during celebratory toasts. Its strong, distinct flavour is an acquired taste but offers an authentic experience.

Plum Wine: A sweeter, milder option, plum wine pairs beautifully with many Chinese dishes.

Craft Cocktails: Create cocktails inspired by Chinese ingredients. For example, mix gin with lychee juice or muddle ginger with a splash of sparkling water and lime.

Non-Alcoholic Options: Serve fresh fruit juices, such as mandarin or lychee, for a refreshing and family-friendly choice.

Setting the Scene

To fully immerse yourself in the Chinese New Year spirit, pay attention to the ambience:

Decorations: Adorn your dining area with red and gold decorations, as these colours symbolise luck and prosperity. Hang paper lanterns, use red tablecloths, and add some golden accents.

Table Setting: Use traditional Chinese tableware, such as porcelain bowls and chopsticks, to elevate the experience.

Music: Play soft traditional Chinese music in the background to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Sharing the Celebration

Chinese New Year is all about togetherness, so invite family and friends to join the feast. Encourage everyone to learn about the traditions and meanings behind the dishes, fostering a deeper appreciation for the culture.

Final Thoughts

Celebrating Chinese New Year with food and drink is a delightful way to embrace the richness of Chinese culture. Whether you’re hosting a grand dinner party or enjoying a cosy meal at home, these tips will help you create a memorable experience. 

Gong xi fa cai — wishing you a prosperous and joyous New Year!

Chefs for Foodies Exciting Collaboration in Perfect Time for Chinese New Year

The truly innovative and revolutionary recipe box company Chefs for Foodies has created PantryMe, a brand new platform to bring Freshasia products to the market just in time for Chinese New Year (Saturday 10th of February). 

The new food recipes are paired with a dedicated and engaging how-to video featuring culinary genius and MasterChef finalist Omar Foster cooking genuine ingredients for mouthwatering Asian inspired dishes. 

PantryMe, an online platform is bringing the rich traditions of Chinese dumplings and dim sum to the UK food market. 

PantryMe enhances your home dining experience, indulging in a selection of your favourite dumplings, expertly curated recipe kits, and authentic Chinese sauces. 

The Chicken Gyoza Tantanmen Ramen Bowl is an umami-rich dish featuring FreshAsia's chicken gyoza. It comes with all the flavourful ingredients to create a Tantanmen ramen bowl, including a chicken-based stock and oat milk for a silky finish, ramen noodles, radishes, spring onions and carrots. Follow along with the video masterclass for step-by-step guidance. 

The other option is the Dim Sum Feast. This includes a selection of succulent gyozas and char sui bao buns, accompanied by absolutely delectable sides: coconut rice, spring onion pancakes, and a deliciously tangy salad. This box is perfect for sharing with friends and family for a unique night in.

Omar Foster, food box creator and Masterchef finalist said, “It's really very easy to create restaurant quality food at home if you follow this fun and creative recipe. With this box there's now no need to go out to celebrate the Chinese new year.”

Perfect for those wanting to dive into traditional Chinese cuisine, PantryMe captures cultural authenticity with their diverse product range. Complete your dining experience by adding chopsticks and steamers to your order. 

Celebrate Chinese New Year in style and with a homage to Chinese culture. For more information visit Chefs for Foodies here https://chefsforfoodies.com.