Green Bean and Scallion Pancake

Green Bean and Scallion Pancake
Two years ago I started growing borage, the blue flowered kind, this year I added the white, (see picture below). What is borage and what is it used for you might ask? Well it’s an herb. Back in the day it was used for medicinal value. There is an old wives’ tale surrounding this particular herb that said if a woman slipped a bit of borage into a promising man’s drink, it would give him the courage to propose. And as we all know "tales" are considered superstition or, folklore and usually strewn with inaccurate details. But they are fun to read about nevertheless. One fact that I do know is that this delicate looking little herb attracts bees to my garden. Also the little blue and white flowers can be used in soups, salads, cocktails, preserves, and desserts in the form of fresh or candied flowers.

Blue Borage
White Borage
Today’s recipe is from the July 2016 Food and Wine magazine. There is a page every month on what to cook now and this month is “Green Beans 4 Ways”. I chose to make the "scallion pancake" and was not disappointed. The batter is simple; cold soda water, flour, baking powder, salt and sesame oil. Green beans and scallions are trimmed and sliced and then stir fried. To finish the batter is poured over the greens and then cooked on both sides, like a pancake. Serve with a little soy sauce. Makes a great starter or side.



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Green Bean and Scallion Pancake
This recipe is an example of how versatile the mighty green bean can be. Makes a tasty side dish or appetizer.
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Cold club soda
  • 3/4 cup Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baling powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons Canola oil
  • 8 ounces Green beans
  • 2 to 3 Scallions
  • optional Hot red chili
Instructions
In a medium sized bowl whisk club soda, flour, baking powder, salt and sesame oil . Heat canola in a 12 inch non-stick skillet. Sauté green beans and scallion over medium-high heat about 5 minutes.Stir in red pepper if adding. Then top with batter. Turn down heat and cook about 5 minutes, then invert by sliding pancake carefully onto a plate and then slide back into the skillet. Cook another 4 to 5 minutes until lightly browned.Let cool slightly, slice. Serve with soy sauce on the side. Garnish with scallions, optional.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 3 to 4


Slice of Green Bean and Scallion Pancake

Comments

  1. Wow, this is definitely a unique way to use green beans. Food and Wine always has such terrific ideas. Love this, Cheri!

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    1. We loved this too Robyn, I never would of thought to use green beans in this way on my own but it has opened my eyes to other possibilities.

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  2. The blue borage is so beautiful, Cheri! I'm loving these delicious pancakes, too -- this is such a creative way to use these ingredients!

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  3. The blue borage is so beautiful, Cheri! I'm loving these delicious pancakes, too -- this is such a creative way to use these ingredients!

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  4. Such a creative and delicious pancake recipe, Cheri. I love borage and only grew some blue ones before, the white one looks so lovely.

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    1. Thanks Angie, the white ones look so delicate don't they.

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  5. I'm going to look to see if I can get some borage. The flowers are so beautiful 😀

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    1. Thanks Tandy and they taste good too, they have a slight cucumber taste.

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  6. This looks delicious, Cheri. We are just returning from China where were served scallion pancakes regularly. Divine. And your plants look amazing. Thank you so much. D

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    1. Oh I bet the food was wonderful Dena, such a great experience for Isabelle. Thanks, Cheri

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  7. What a unique dish - I'd love to try this one! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Beth, hope you get the chance to try these.

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  8. What a fun recipe to utilize summer green beans. I can't grow anything except herbs in my garden---I'd love to plant some borage and give it a try!

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    1. Borage is a wonderful herb to grow Liz, it even reseeds itself every year. Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. What a fun recipe to utilize summer green beans. I can't grow anything except herbs in my garden---I'd love to plant some borage and give it a try!

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  10. These photos look beautiful, Cheri. And your plants look awesome. Such a wonder way to use green beans and scallions.

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  11. this sounds yummy, as i really like the mild onion flavor of scallions! never heard of borage though--looks neat! :)

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    1. Borage is pretty cool Grace, the flowers taste cucumber like. Take care.

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  12. I've never eaten anything like this, but it sounds yummy! I bet the scallions make it reallly tasty. The borage flowers are so beautiful. Great photos, Cheri!

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    1. Thanks Shari, I was surprised my husband like this so much. I will be preparing this again, who knew.

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  13. This is a great pancake twist! They sound delicious and the flowers are so pretty!

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  14. The borage is so beautiful, Cheri! This delicious pancake is so creative and sounds like such a delicious way to use up some green beans and scallions!

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    1. Thanks Kelly, green beans are one of our favorites.

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  15. Great recipe. I just picked a bunch of green beans from the garden today!

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    1. Lucky you, they are so delicious right now, love this time of summer. Thanks Mindy!

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  16. This is so creative. Love the recipe. Looks so delicious and that flower is so beautiful!

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  17. Hi Cheri,
    I like the blue & white borage ... so pretty.
    I've made pancakes with lots of scallions but haven't thought of adding green beans. Looks yummy!

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    1. It seems like I am the last person to make these pancakes:) but they sure are delicious, thanks Karen.

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  18. This has to be the most epic savory pancake ever, great job C!

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  19. You are so fabulous...love the variety of foods you cook in your kitchen! We just met up with my sister and mom for Korean food on Sunday night. We had a scallion/seafood pancake and it's a favorite. Even my son likes scallions.

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    1. I bet scallion seafood is amazing, we have not had much Korean food will have to change that right away.

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  20. Oh Cheri, I have never thought in adding green beans to a savory pancake...looks delicious with the scallion...super tasty!
    Thanks for the recipe...have a wonderful week :)

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    1. Thanks Juliana, Monica commented and said she just had a scallion and seafood pancake, that sounds amazing too! Take care!!

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  21. Lovely photos of the borage..Interesting backstory. Your pancake reminds me of a low-calorie okonomiyaki from Osaka =)

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    1. Love to hear about that sometime Kim. Your always have the most interesting stories. Take care!

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  22. I love savoury pancakes like this specially with sccallions, it adds great flavours to top up the whole dish. Nice recipe!

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  23. Love this Cheri, it looks like just the thing with a cold glass of wine...

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  24. What a nifty recipe! Very different, and it looks amazing. Bet it tastes amazing, too! Fun stuff -- thanks so much.

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  25. The flowers are gorgeous - I will have to look into those for next year. We love to attract bees. The pancake sounds wonderful and I could eat green beans at every meal. Soy sauce sounds like a wonderful addition too!

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  26. The pancake looks just wonderful, Cheri! I can see this being a nice light supper, too!

    I used to grow the blue borage in Maine, and we would put it in our May wine on May Day. The flowers turned from blue to pink with the acidity of the wine. I wonder what color - if any - the white ones would turn?

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    1. So funny you talk about May day only one other person we know used to celebrate that day and it was my husband's mom. I bet the white would change color, maybe a deeper shade of pink. Take care!

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