Scallions, also known as green onions, are these long stalk-like vegetables that pack a sharp bite. They're relatively quite cheap, and have an array of usages. Below are just five things you can make with scallions, I hope they open a window of flavorful recipes into your arsenal.
1. Scallion Pancakes 葱油饼
Now don't let the name fool you, these aren't your traditional sweet sticky pancakes. This is a Chinese food staple. Think of it to be more like a naan or pan bread. It's salty, fluffy, crepe like, with that umami flavor delivered by the sharp bite of scallions. You can make them from scratch or buy them pre-frozen at your local market (if you're lucky). If you do choose to make them from scratch, you can adjust the thin or thickness of the bread, which changes the texture and mouth feel. Pan fry them in a little bit of oil and then dip it in some Chinese chili sauce and voila, your new addiction.
Tip: If you make them from scratch, remember that the more you fold, the more oil you add in the the folding process, and of course, the more scallions, the more flavor there will be. To add more texture, and move away from the more traditional style of making scallion pancakes, I enjoy putting some sesame seeds in between the layers, which add a nutty and slightly sweeter profile to the dish.
2. Lamb and Scallion Stir Fry 葱爆羊肉炒面
This is a dish matched in heaven to be served with rice. Garlicky and savory, this dish's aroma is heaven sent. You can make it simple with just some garlic, spring onions, and lamb; or amp it up like this recipe from the New York Times. Either way, it's one of my favorite dishes. If you don't want to eat it with rice, a great alternative is stuffing it between some toasted Ciabatta or French Roll, a Chinese spin on a sandwich if you will.
3. Soy Sauce Egg
So as a broke college student, a motif in my current life, I've had to get creative at times where I realized I barely have anything in the fridge. This sadly was not my stroke of genius, but that of my Einstein grandmama. Basically, all this is is a half poached half fried egg with a salty and umami element incorporated by the scallions and soy sauce. Top it on top of some rice and a quick and easy meal is served.
Prep: Begin by finely slicing the scallions (some of the green and some of the white parts of the stem). Have some water (1 tsp per egg) and some soy sauce (2 tsp per egg) prepared on the side.
Cook: Heat a nonstick pan on medium heat, add some oil into the pan and let it heat up. Crack an egg into the oil and let it cook a bit with a cover on top. After the egg whites begin to coagulate, add the scallions first and then throw in the soy sauce (or more depending how much sodium your tastebuds can handle), sprinkle in some sugar to counteract and bring out the subtleties hidden in the soy sauce. Note that soy sauce has water content and will sizzle and reduce while interacting with heat. Cover and reduce the heat to low, when most of the egg white has formed, remove the cover, add the water, and let it evaporate. Once all the water has evaporated, plate it up.
4. Beef Roll with Scallion 牛 肉 捲 餅
Think of this like a Chinese spin on a burrito, but instead it's layers of beef met with scallions met with a sweet and savory flavor of hoisin sauce. With each bite you get the crunch of scallions, the tenderness of the beef, and the sweetness of the sauce. It's great as an appetizer, and an excellent party pleaser.
5. Garnish, duh.
Although not something you incorporate into the cooking process. Scallions make the best garnish, I swear. Put in on top of noodles, miso soup, fries, rice bowls, just to name a few examples. Screw it, put it on anything and everything. Scallions just add so much to a dish, they create texture, freshness, and make it that much more savory.
Scallions hold such wonderful flavor, these were just five things to make with scallions, but there is so much more to explore.