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Xiang Chun Crepes featuring toona sinensis tree young leaves are so naturally yummy and seriously nutritious. Also known as Chinese mahogany, Xiang Chun is a popular tree in China, especially in the Yangtze River Delta area. Using the tasty and healthy Xiang Chun tender leaves to make a crepe is a traditional home cooking.
Traditionally Xiang Chun Mian Yi is a semi-sweet crepe. Nevertheless, these days I usually make a savory version just using a pinch of salt. For the recipe, I am sharing both versions of Chinese Toon Creps, the semi-sweet version and the savory version.
We call crepes “Mian Yi” in my hometown Suzhou, in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta, which loosely translates into “flour thin sheet”. The tender young toona sinensis leaves have a sharp, appetizingly fragrant aroma and taste. Dubbed “vegetables growing in the tree”, people enjoy them as a vegetable since ancient times. Read here to learn more about Xiang Chun.
Ingredients required to make Xiang Chun Crepes
You will need eggs, organic all-purpose flour, whole milk, water, Himalayan Pink Salt, Organic cane sugar, and tender young leaves of Xiang Chun.
For the liquid, I prefer using 50% milk and 50% water. However, 100% of water works too.
How to make Chinese Toon Crepes?
The first is to prepare Xiang Chun
For tender Xiang Chun leaves, you do not need to blanch them. Just chop them into small pieces and then mix them with one egg and a tiny bit of salt.
The second is to prepare the Xiang Chun Crepes batter
Add flour, oil, sugar, salt, milk, and water into a mixing bowl, and mix well until fully blended into a batter.
The Third is to make crepes with the help of a crepe spreader
If you haven’t used a crepe spreader before, there might be some learn curves to expect. However, it is easy to learn as long as you pay attention to a few essential tips. Read here for more details.
Enjoy a super delicious and healthy Xiang Chun Crepe, either for breakfast, a side dish or a snack.
Like Crepes? Remember to check out French Style Whole Wheat Crepes, yummy and healthy.
Like Xiang Chun? Check out traditional Chinese food Xiang Chun Fried Eggs.
Xiang Chun Crepes Recipe {Toona Sinensis Mian Yi}
Xiang Chun Crepes featuring toona sinensis tree young leaves is a traditional home cooking in China's Yangtze River Delta area. An excellent way to enjoy the tasty and super healthy nutritious Xiang Chun tender leaves. Perfect for breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
- 30 g young tender Xiang Chun leaves, about 1 oz
- 120 g all-purpose flour, organic unbleached preferred, about 3/4 cup
- 1 egg
- 15 g avocado oil, about 1 tbsp
- 100 g whole milk
- 100 g water
- 1/4 tsp coconut oil, for conditoning the frying pan
For semi-sweet flavor version, add below:
- 1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt
- 10 g cane sugar, about 1 tbsp, organic unrefined preferred
For savory flavor version, add below:
- 1/4 tsp salt, such as Himalayan pink salt
Instructions
Gather all ingredients:
Prep Xiang Chun:
- For very young and tender Xiang Chun leaves, you do not need to blanch the leaves.
- Wash and rinse Xiang Chun {Chinese Toon} leaves well. Air dry and then cut into very small pieces.
Prepare Crepe Batter:
- Crack one egg into the mixing bowl and whisk well.
- Add the chopped Xiang Chun and avocado oil. For the semi-sweet version, add 1/8 tsp salt; for the savory version, add 1/2 tsp salt. Toss and mix well.
- Place the mixing bowl on the kitchen scale, press "TARE" and measure out 120 grams of organic all-purpose flour.
- Press "TARE" again and add 100 grams of whole milk and 100 grams of water.
- Remove the mixing bowl from the scale. For the semi-sweet version, add 1 tbsp of cane sugar. Use a whisk and bamboo spatula to mix well and form a smooth batter.
Make Xiang Chun Crepes:
- Turn the heat to medium and heat a 12-inch hard anodized fry pan for 2 minutes.
- Add a tiny bit of coconut oil (about 1/4 tsp) into the pan and use a mini silicone spatula to spread it across the frying pan to condition the frying pan.
- Pour batter, about 1/3 cup in the center of the frying pan. Immediately and quickly spread evenly in a circular motion using a crepe spreader. You can either do clockwise or counterclockwise, as long as you spread in the same direction.
- Cook for 1 minute or till the edge of the crepe dries and slightly browns.
- Flip using a thin, wide and flexible slotted turner and cook the other side for about 1 minute.
- Done with one crepe. Repeat to complete the rest of the batter.
- Enjoy super delicious and healthy Xiang Chun Crepe as breakfast, side dish, or snack.
Notes
- For easier and more accurate measurement, I use grams to measure out flour, milk and water.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount of commission from the qualifying purchases.
-
Organic Unbleached All Purpose Flour - Stainless Steel Micro-Perforated Colander
- Avocado Oil
- Chef Knife
- Large Acacia Wood Cutting Board
- Solid Stainless Steel Spider Strainer Skimmer
- Viking 3-Ply Stainless Steel Stock Pot, 12 Quart
- Small Silicone Spatulas
- Whisk
- OXO 3 Piece Good Grips Wooden Turner Set
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Soeos Whole Black Peppercorns 18OZ + Himalayan Salt 38oz + Grinders 2 Packs.
- Crepe Spreader Set (4 Pack)
- Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 servings Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 148Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 92mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 3g
Nutrition calculation is provided by Nutritionix to the best knowledge per ingredients description and isn't always accurate.
