Scallion Sesame Pinwheels Food

KIDS CAN MAKE: HAM AND SCALLION CREAM CHEESE PINWHEEL SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Carefully wash and dry the 4 largest outer romaine leaves, trying not to tear them. Cut the leaves at the base, where they were connected to the root; the leaves should be about 9 inches long. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the center rib so the leaves roll up more easily. Set aside.
• Stir the cream cheese, scallions, mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl to combine.
• Lay 1 of the tortillas on a clean work surface, and place 1 of the romaine leaves neatly on top. Place 2 slices of the ham next to each other to fit neatly on top of the lettuce. Spread 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture over the ham, then line up a quarter of the roasted pepper strips along one edge. Line up 1/4 cup of the shredded carrots on top of the peppers. Roll up the wrap tightly, starting from the edge with the peppers and carrots, so the wrap holds together with the peppers and carrots in the middle. Place the wrap seam-side down. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, peppers, carrots, ham and cream cheese mixture. Cut the wraps into 1-inch pieces, then skewer each piece from the top through the seam side with a toothpick or skewer.

SPICY ASIAN CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Chop 1 English cucumber. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt; let sit 10 minutes. Whisk 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons each sugar and soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 sliced scallions, 1 minced garlic clove and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Drain the cucumber and toss with the dressing; season with salt. Top with chopped cilantro.

SESAME-SCALLION CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Bring chicken, 3 Tbsp. kosher salt, and 5 cups water to a bare simmer in a medium pot over medium heat (chicken should be submerged). Be patient-this will take a little while. Once liquid begins to simmer, reduce heat to low and cook (water should not be simmering at all now) until juices run clear when thickest part of chicken is pierced, 8-10 minutes. Transfer chicken to a medium bowl; discard poaching liquid. Let chicken sit until cool enough to handle, then shred meat into big pieces; set aside.
• Meanwhile, place scallions in a small bowl and pour in very cold water to cover; let soak 10 minutes.
• Drain scallions in a mesh sieve or colander, then rinse under cold running water, swishing vigorously to rinse and to encourage them to curl up. Shake off as much water as possible and place in a large bowl; set aside.
• Working one at a time, slice cucumbers in half crosswise, then slice each piece in half lengthwise. Place quarters cut side down and slice in half lengthwise again to create 8 pieces total per cucumber. Add to bowl with reserved chicken.
• Set 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds aside in a small bowl for serving. Crush remaining sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle until some of the seeds have turned to powder, but with plenty of whole seeds left. (Alternatively, you can pulse seeds a few times in a food processor or spice mill, then transfer to a medium bowl before proceeding). Add lime juice, tahini, soy sauce, honey, and red pepper flakes and mash to create a paste. Add ¼ cup water and whisk to combine (if you don't have a small enough whisk, work in with the pestle). Taste and season with salt.
• Add lettuce and cilantro to bowl with reserved scallions. Pour half of dressing over and toss to coat. Arrange on a platter. Pour remaining dressing over chicken and cucumbers, toss to coat, and arrange over greens. Top salad with reserved 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds and squeeze juice from lime half over.

SCALLION PANCAKES

Steps:

• Make the dipping sauce: Combine the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil in a small bowl and whisk until the sugar dissolves; set aside.
• Make the scallion pancakes: Put the flour in a large bowl, then add the boiling water and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a ball.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, elastic and no longer sticky, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer the dough to a large bowl, cover and let rest 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 200˚ F. Divide the dough into 8 pieces, then roll each into a thin 8-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Brush each circle of dough with 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil and sprinkle with 1 heaping tablespoon scallions; season with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Roll up each circle of dough into a cigar; then, working from one side, roll each into a coil, tucking the ends underneath. Lightly flour the surface again and roll each coil to a 7-inch pancake (1/8 inch thick).
• Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pancake and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the remaining pancakes, adding 1 more tablespoon vegetable oil to the skillet each time and reducing the heat to medium if the pancakes are browning too quickly. Slice the pancakes into wedges. Serve with the dipping sauce.