When it comes to really popular stuff, I'm notoriously perverse.
The hottest new restaurant in town that everyone is lining up for? Meh, not worth the wait. That new band that everyone loves the crap out of? They're okay, I guess. That show that everyone is raving about around the water cooler? I just can't get into it.
(Seriously, what is the deal with Girls? I can't decide if the characters bore me, annoy me or both.)
So considering that everyone loses their ever-loving mind when the first crop of ramps arrives at the market each year, I've always assumed that I'd probably be underwhelmed and stayed out of the feeding frenzy.
But I'm a big girl, and I'm perfectly willing to admit when I'm wrong. And let me tell you, boys and girls, when it comes to ramps... well... I was wrong. So wrong. Like, socks with sandals wrong.
Seriously, ramps are freaking amazing. I'm genuinely sad I didn't jump on this bandwagon sooner.
Wild Ramps, Spring's Hottest Commodity
So, what's a ramp, you ask?
Also known as wild leeks, ramps are a member of the allium family, which also includes onions, scallions and garlic.
They grow wild throughout Eastern Canada early in the spring, often before anything else emerges from the ground. Because they must be foraged and can be quite hard to find, they're a precious commodity among food-lovers, especially since the season is blink-and-you'll-miss-it short.
Their pungent flavour is somewhere in the vicinity of spring-onion-meets-garlic, which makes them a perfect substitute for green onions in most recipes... like, say, Chinese-style scallion pancakes, those pan-fried discs of flaky deliciousness that are a staple on dim sum menus.
Making Flaky Dim-Sum Style Pancakes
Scallion pancakes (or rather, ramp pancakes, as this variation should rightfully be called), might just be the most perfect vehicle for showing off the pungent, garlicky bite of fresh ramps, with their crisp golden-speckled outside and flaky multi-layered inside.
There's a bit of a trick to assembling these pancakes if you're a first-timer, so don't feel too bad if your first pancake or two come out a little lopsided... they'll still taste just as good, which is all that matters in the end.
And since practice makes perfect, think of this as an excuse to make a couple more batches until you get the hang of it. :)
(If you're a visual learner, here's a handy-dandy step-by-step photo tutorial from The Kitchn to help you out.)
Trust me, once you've figured it out, you'll probably want to whip up a batch pretty much every night for the rest of ramp season. You may find it difficult to resist the urge to devour the pancakes as they come out of the oil, even if it comes at the expense of burning your tongue.
I guess it's a good thing that's just another week or two, huh?
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Chinese-Style Ramp Pancakes
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Ramps (aka wild leeks) take the place of scallions in this new-school twist on the classic dim sum staple.
Ingredients
Ramp Pancakes:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 cup thinly sliced ramps
- ½ tsp salt
- Canola oil, for frying
Dipping Sauce:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- ½ tsp grated ginger
- 2 tsp sugar
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Continuing to stir as you go, slowly pour in a steady stream of boiling water, until the dough pulls together into a ball.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, and knead 10-12 times or until smooth. Divide into two equally-sized pieces, and roll each one into a ball. Cover with damp cloth and let rest for half an hour.
- Once the dough has rested, roll the first ball into a 16 x 10-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Gently brush half of the sesame oil onto the rolled out dough, then sprinkle evenly with half of the chopped ramps and half of the salt.
- Starting from the long end of the rectangle, roll the dough up tightly jelly-roll style, creating a long rope of rolled-out dough. Using a sharp knife, cut the rope in half. Repeat this process with the second piece of dough.
- Working with one piece at a time, coil each piece to create a spiral, and gently flatten it with your hand. Using a rolling pin, roll out the spiral into a 5-inch pancake.
- Heat a small amount of canola oil in heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, gently slide in the first pancake. Cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crisp.
- Meanwhile, prepare the dipping sauce by whisking together all of the ingredients in a small bowl until combined.
- Cut the pancakes into wedges and serve immediately with a small bowl of dipping sauce alongside.
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetiser
Kim Beaulieu says
Dang this is fine. And I'm saying that all "gangsta" right now.
I cannot find ramps any where, any time, any place. Clearly I need to move. Is the house next to yours for sale by any chance?
PolaM says
Those pancakes look delicious!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
I haven't tried ramps yet but they def. sound like something I'd looove!!! So do these pancakes!
★★★★★
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
I love ramps....and your blog! So glad I found it, this recipe is amazing and I'm always looking for ways to cook ramps that are new and inventive for the short period they're available. I WILL be making these this weekend. So yum!
Sarah Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
A reader was sweet enough to send me a batch of ramps he'd foraged a few years ago -- and they immediately won me over. These Chinese pancakes look amazing. Annnnndddddddd ... now I want some ramps too.
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
This just sounds so delicious. Am I weird that I have never eaten a ramp either??
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
Like a lot of other people have said, I've never had ramps. But I am surely on the look out for them now. Farmers' market, here I come!
Marly says
OK. Spring-onion-meets-garlic is my favorite. It should be a band or something. Also, I'm on the fence about Girls too. It's like I know I should like it, but I was so meh with the first episode that I haven't ventured on to watching more. Because you've gotten me on this true confession kick, I will tell you something else. Sometimes I really don't understand this big trend of watching old bands in concert…unless it's Rush. But the other ones? I mean you could buy every single one of their songs for less than the cost of a ticket to the concert they're having in three months where they will perform those songs live…and sound kinda different than they did 20 years ago. Just my two cents on the subject. And now I'll shut up. OK. No I won't because now I want to tell you something else. I have never made a ramp and you have totally convinced me to do so. Thank you. Your new friend, Marly
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds says
I am now officially craving these!
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com says
I have never cooked ramps and you are tempting me with this easy recipe.
Martha @ A Family Feast says
I've only eaten ramps once - and didn't realize that was what I was eating until afterwards - but they were fantastic! I need to find them to try this recipe!
Angie says
These look amazing, I've never tried them before, but now I can't wait to!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
You and me both, friend. You and me both. I just cannot get on board with popular things. I think I'm just always behind the times. But I can get on board with these pancakes! They look fantastic!
Brenda@SugarFreeMom says
I love regular leeks but never tried ramps, now I must! These pancakes look so good!
Nutmeg Nanny says
I wish I had this in front of my face right now. It looks amazing!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
I've been wanting to make Chinese pancakes at home for a long time now. Yours look fab, Isabelle! It's funny how you don't jump on bandwagons - I'm the same way. Whenever something is really really really huge and "in", I have this gut reaction where I don't want to automatically dig it just because everyone else is. I've never eaten a ramp and quite frankly, the look of them freaks me out. Hearing your description makes me change my mind though - garlicky, fresh and scallion-y sounds delicious!