Kimchi Pancakes

Last Saturday night, Jaime, Dennis and I needed something to eat with their homebrews while watching Hot Tub Time Machine (one of the most woefully under appreciated films of all time). So Jaime busted out his culinary skills to prepare these non-traditional spicy pancakes with a masterful dipping sauce. They were so good that we forgot all about the grilling we were going to do and just devoured them.

Kimchi Pancakes
Adapted from RasaMalaysia
Servings: 1 giant pancake
Time: 20 minutes

Jaime's hand modeling career begins!

Pancake
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1/2 cup water
2-3 tbsp kimchi juice
1/2 jar of kimchi, sliced into one inch pieces
2 scallion stalks, cut into small rounds
1/2 tsp salt
Oil for pan-frying


Sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 tsp rice wine vinegar
Red chili flakes to taste
1/2 tsp sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 scallion stalk, cut into small rounds

Amazing spicy sauce

1. Whisk the flour, egg, water, kimchi, kimchi juice (note more you put the redder and spicier the pancake will be), scallions and salt together in a bowl. If you don't have any kimchi juice left in your kimchi jar make sure you substitute in water so the batter isn't too dry.
2. Heat up oil in a pan over medium heat. Drop in some batter to form a giant pancake and pan-fry for several minutes until the bottom edges start to brown.
3. Flip like a pro and cook until the bottom is browned.
4. Cut like a pizza.
5. Mix together all the ingredients for the sauce and serve.
6. Liberally add beer and BROing out.

These pancakes were pan-fried to perfection yielding a perfect pancake texture surrounding flavorful bites of kimchi that provided a wonderful kick (seriously load up on the kimchi because biting into it is the best part). Combined with the dipping sauce this savory and salty appetizer was absolutely incredible paired with the always sophisticated combination of beer and a movie.

Dennis digs in.

With the third straight fantastic meal at Jaime's (see Cajun Shrimp with Bacon Wrapped Asparagus and The Pear Ginger Crumble), I was almost prepared to declare his house the culinary destination for foodies in the greater Houston area. Before doing so, he was going to have to prove himself with his pancake flipping abilities. He started the night 2 for 2, but how would he respond to the whole world watching (read: my loyal blog following that rivals the size of a baseball team)?

After 2 perfect flips, the pressure was on for Jaime

I guess I'll just have to keep searching...