Golden Layered Straw Hat Flatbread

Get ready to fall in love with a flatbread that is as fun to make as it is to eat. Imagine pulling apart a golden, pan-fried disc to reveal dozens of paper-thin, steamy layers. Crispy on the outside, yet wonderfully soft and chewy on the inside, this is the magic of the Straw Hat Flatbread. Hailing from the northeastern regions of China, this delicacy gets its charming name from its unique, spiraled shape that resembles a rustic woven hat. While it looks incredibly impressive, the process is surprisingly straightforward and meditative. In about 45 minutes, you can transform a few simple pantry staples into a stack of these irresistible, savory delights. It’s a fantastic recipe for a lazy weekend morning or to serve as a stunning accompaniment to any meal. Let’s gather our ingredients. The secret to the perfect texture lies in a combination of two types of flour and a special hot-water dough technique, which creates an exceptionally soft and pliable result. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything; I’ve included some easy swaps. For the Dough: 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (120g) cake flour (If you don’t have cake flour, you can use all-purpose flour for the entire recipe, but the texture will be slightly chewier.) ½ cup (120ml) just-boiled hot water ¼ to ⅓ cup (60-80ml) room temperature water For the Layers: 2-3 tablespoons flaxseed oil (Feel free to substitute with corn oil, vegetable oil, or any neutral cooking oil you have on hand.) ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for dusting) For Frying: 2-3 tablespoons of your preferred cooking oil The term for using hot water in the dough is tangmian. This technique pre-cooks some of the starches in the flour, which limits gluten development and results in a dough that is incredibly…