A bag of frozen mixed vegetables – peas, corn, carrots and green beans – is a weeknight cooking game-changer that delivers four versatile vegetables in one packet. While often used for fried rice, casseroles or shepherd’s pies, this humble staple can also be employed more creatively. Take this Korean jeon (pancake) recipe, for example. While jeons can be made with a variety of fillings, ranging from shredded vegetables, kimchi, seafood and/or meat, defrosted mixed vegetables step in here to make a savory pancake that’s colorful and full of texture. It’s crispy around the edges with a soft center.
Substitutions: No mixed vegetables in the freezer? Use frozen peas or corn instead. Substitute doenjang or miso with another fermented bean paste, such as doubanjiang or gochujang. IQF Shiitake Mushrooms Slices
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer.
Make ahead: The dipping sauce can be prepared up to 1 day in advance.
Where to buy: Doenjang and chili crisp or chili oil can be found at Asian markets, well-stocked supermarkets and online.
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From cookbook author Hetty Lui McKinnon.
Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the tamari or soy sauce, vinegar, chili crisp or oil (to taste), and scallion until combined.
Make the jeon: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch or potato starch, and salt until combined.
In another medium bowl, whisk together the water, doenjang or miso, and garlic until thoroughly combined.
Add the flour mixture to the doenjang mixture and whisk until smooth and mostly lump-free – but don’t overmix. The mixture should be thick but just pourable. If it looks too thick or stiff, add another 1 to 2 tablespoons of ice water.
Gently fold in the defrosted vegetables and scallions until just combined. Don’t overmix – the mixture does not need to be smooth.
Heat a 10-inch skillet on medium-high heat until hot, for about 3 minutes. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the oil and add half of the batter (just eyeball it!). Cook until golden underneath, about 2 minutes, then, using a wide spatula (a flexible fish spatula, if you have one), carefully but confidently flip the pancake over. Cover, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes. Uncover and cook, pressing the pancake into the pan with the spatula, until the bottom is golden and crisp, an additional 2 minutes. Flip it back over and cook the golden side again for another 2 minutes to make sure it’s crisp.
Increase the heat again to medium-high and repeat with the remaining oil and batter.
Slice the pancakes into wedges and serve, with the dipping sauce on the side.
Per serving (1 pancake and 2 tablespoons sauce)
This analysis is an estimate based on available ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s or nutritionist’s advice.
Frozen Green Onions 3-5mm Cut From cookbook author Hetty Lui McKinnon.