Jianbing (Chinese Breakfast Crepes)

Jianbing is a popular Chinese street food that has taken the culinary world by storm. This savory breakfast crepe is a delicious combination of flavors and textures, with a crispy exterior, soft interior, and a variety of fillings and toppings. While traditionally made with mung bean flour and specialized equipment, this recipe simplifies the process for the home cook using easy-to-find ingredients and a non-stick skillet. With a little practice, you can enjoy this satisfying and addictive breakfast treat right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients:

Batter:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups water

Fillings:

• 4 eggs
• 8 wonton wrappers, fried until crispy (or substitute with nacho cheese Doritos)
• 4 tbsp sweet bean sauce (tianmianjiang) or hoisin sauce
• Sriracha or chili sauce to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 8 slices ham or Chinese sausage

Instructions:

1. Make the batter: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt and water until smooth. Let rest for 15 minutes.
2. Prepare the fillings: Fry the wonton wrappers in oil until golden and crispy. Chop the scallions, cilantro and lettuce.
3. Heat a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Brush with a thin layer of oil. Pour 1/2 cup of batter and quickly swirl to spread into a thin, round crepe.
4. Crack an egg on top and spread it around with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle with scallions. Cook until the egg is set, about 2 minutes.
5. Carefully flip the crepe. Brush on sweet bean sauce and sriracha. Top with cilantro, lettuce, ham, and 2 fried wontons.
6. Fold the sides of the crepe over the filling, then roll up tightly. Cut in half and serve immediately.

Tips:

• The batter should be thin enough to spread easily. Add a little water if too thick.
• Use very little oil to prevent the crepe from getting greasy.
• Wait until the crepe is set before adding the egg or it will be hard to flip.
• Customize with your favorite sauces, vegetables and proteins.

This recipe simplifies the traditional jianbing by using ingredients that are easier to find, like all-purpose flour instead of mung bean flour. The addition of cornstarch makes the crepes soft and pliable.

Frying store-bought wonton wrappers is a quick alternative to making the crispy crackers from scratch. Using Doritos is a creative twist.

The cooking technique is streamlined for a home kitchen, with helpful tips like using minimal oil, waiting until the crepe is set to add egg, and how to fold it up neatly.

By providing a variety of filling options, this recipe allows the cook to customize their jianbing with different sauces, vegetables and meats to suit their tastes, while still maintaining the authentic contrasts of flavors and textures that make this Chinese breakfast crepe so delicious.