Cong You Bing

 Ingredients: - 375 g of freshly sifted white flour and additional flour for dusting the work surface - 235 ml of water (at room temperature) - 6-10 green onions (depending on their size) or the equivalent in leeks (depending on preference) - 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of sesame oil (you may need a larger amount of oil than mentioned earlier) - 1 teaspoon of finely ground salt - 6 tablespoons of peanut oil (you may need a larger amount of oil than mentioned earlier)

Start the culinary adventure by preparing the dough, an essential step to achieve a delicious and surprising dish. In a generous bowl, add the freshly sifted flour and water. Mix the two ingredients with a spatula or, if you prefer, use your hands to feel the consistency of the dough. The goal is to obtain a "rough" but consistent dough, where the flour is fully integrated.

Once you have obtained the dough, place it on a flat surface that has been lightly dusted with flour to prevent sticking. Knead the dough with your hands, dedicating a few moments of attention and love to it. Shaping it into a sphere, cover it with a bowl and let it rest for 30 minutes. This resting time will transform the dough, giving it a finer and "silkier" texture.

After the time has passed, knead the dough again for about a minute, then divide it into two equal halves, each having a more manageable appearance. Each piece will also be shaped into spheres. It is important to note that the dough may be sticky, but do not be discouraged; add flour only if absolutely necessary.

In the meantime, prepare the green onion. Clean it, wash it, and slice it into very thin rounds. This detail is crucial, as finely chopped pieces of onion will allow the dough to be rolled without tearing. Using sesame oil, grease the work surface to facilitate handling the dough. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin, ensuring it is also greased with oil to prevent sticking.

Place one of the dough spheres on the prepared surface, then flatten it slightly with your palms or with the rolling pin, obtaining a rectangle of approximately 20 x 25 cm. Now, sprinkle half of the prepared salt on the dough, pressing lightly to integrate it. Peanut oil will now be added to the surface of the dough, followed by the sliced green onion, which you will press down slightly to fix it in place.

Rolling the dough will require attention: start from the long side, ensuring it does not tear along the way. After obtaining a roll, cut it into three equal parts and carefully shape them into spherical forms. The process is repeated for the other half of the dough, resulting in six delicious spheres, each filled with green onion.

Flatten each sphere until you obtain discs with a diameter of approximately 20 cm, ensuring that the pieces of onion remain visible inside. In the meantime, heat the peanut oil in a non-stick pan, ensuring that the layer does not exceed 0.4 mm. Place each dough disc in the hot oil and fry for about 3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.

Once fried, place the pieces on an absorbent napkin to remove excess oil. Cut each disc into 8 triangular pieces and serve them alongside various sauces. This dish is not only a delight for the taste buds but also a visual joy, perfect for delighting families and friends.

 Tags:  onion flour oil lactose-free recipes vegetarian recipes