The meal consisted entirely of dishes made from lotus flowers.

VnExpress•17/07/2023

People in each region have their own unique ways of preparing lotus dishes.

Lotus root soup with pork ribs, lotus petal spring rolls, steamed lotus flower patties, and lotus root salad are some of the dishes commonly made by people in Southern Vietnam.

Ingredient

Lotus root soup with pork ribs

500 grams of pork bones

One lotus root, one carrot

Green onions, ground pepper, seasoning powder, sugar, salt, MSG

Lotus petal spring rolls

300 grams of minced lean meat

Lotus petals: choose about 10-15 large petals for easy rolling.

3 grams of wood ear mushrooms, ground pepper, scallions, seasoning powder, chili sauce, crispy frying batter.

Steamed pork patties with lotus flower

200 grams of minced meat

200 grams of minced pork

Three lotus buds, with the stamens removed.

2 grams of wood ear mushrooms, scallions, ground pepper, seasoning powder, sugar, MSG, salt

Lotus root salad

500 grams of fresh lotus root

300 grams of shrimp

100 grams of roasted peanuts

A carrot

Vietnamese coriander, garlic, chili peppers, lemon, sugar, onion, celery.

The meal consisted entirely of dishes made from lotus flowers.

Perform

Lotus root soup with pork ribs

With simple ingredients and preparation, lotus root soup is a perfect choice for hot summer days. The broth is subtly sweet, and the lotus root is crunchy and flavorful. Furthermore, lotus root stimulates the appetite, helping you enjoy your meal more.

A meal consisting entirely of dishes made from lotus flowers - 1

Making:

Peel and wash the carrots, then cut them into flower shapes, or round or square shapes as desired. Peel and wash the lotus root, then cut it into bite-sized slices. Soak the sliced lotus root in diluted salt water, then rinse it to keep it white and prevent browning. Briefly boil the lotus root to make it soften faster when cooked. Wash the pork ribs with salt water, cut them into bite-sized pieces, and blanch them in boiling water to remove any unpleasant odor and help them cook faster. Chop the scallions finely.

Prepare a new pot of water and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once the water boils, add the pork ribs and lotus root. Simmer for about 15 minutes, then add the carrots and cook for another five minutes. Season to taste. Finally, add the scallions and a little pepper to the soup. Turn off the heat and enjoy.

Spring rolls wrapped in lotus petals

Besides traditional spring rolls, spring rolls wrapped in lotus petals are also a popular choice for people in Southern Vietnam when lotus season arrives. Their unique, nutty flavor is just as delicious as traditional spring rolls.

A meal consisting entirely of dishes made from lotus flowers - 2

Making:

Soak dried wood ear mushrooms in hot water to help them expand quickly, then rinse and finely chop them. Chop the scallions and mix them with the minced meat, seasoning as you would for traditional spring roll filling. Gradually place the mixture into each lotus petal, rolling slowly along the petal to seal it completely. Heat oil in a pan, dip the spring rolls in batter, then drop them into the hot oil. Reduce the heat, flipping them evenly until they are firm and fragrant. Remove from the pan and place on a plate, then turn off the heat. This dish is best served with chili sauce for enhanced flavor.

Steamed pork patties with lotus flower

This dish combines fresh lotus flowers with a minced pork filling. The filling is juicy, savory, and fragrant with the refreshing scent of lotus flowers; it's deliciously tender and not at all chewy or bitter.

A meal consisting entirely of dishes made from lotus flowers - 3

Making:

Wash the lotus flowers, remove the pistils to leave the inside hollow, then rinse and turn upside down to drain. Soak the wood ear mushrooms until softened, rinse, and finely chop. Finely chop the scallions as well. Mix the prepared wood ear mushrooms and scallions with the minced meat and pork paste, seasoning to taste. Gradually add the mixture to the lotus flowers using a teaspoon, pressing gently with your hands to compact the filling. Once all the filling is in the lotus flowers, place a steamer on the stove. When the water boils, add the lotus flowers one by one, cover tightly, and steam for 15-20 minutes. The lotus flower is cooked when a toothpick inserted into it comes out clean. Turn off the heat and arrange on a plate. Cut the lotus flowers in half for easier eating and a more appealing presentation.

Lotus root salad with shrimp

This dish is loved by many because of the sweet and savory flavor of the shrimp combined with the crispness of the vegetables, making it easy to eat and stimulating to the taste buds.

A meal consisting entirely of dishes made from lotus flowers - 4

Making:

Wash the shrimp, cut along the back to remove the black vein, and boil them in water until cooked. Once cooked, remove the shrimp, place them in cold water, drain, and peel. Wash the lotus root, cut it into sections, slice thinly, and soak in water mixed with a little vinegar and alum for about 15 minutes. Rinse with cold water and drain. Peel and wash the carrots and onions, then julienne them; cut the celery into sections; and finely chop the Vietnamese coriander. Roast the peanuts with a little coarse salt, let them cool, and then remove the skins.

Heat a pan on the stove, add fish sauce, salt, sugar, and MSG, and mix well until the ingredients dissolve and form a thick sauce. Pour into a bowl, squeeze in lemon juice, and stir well. Combine shrimp, carrots, lotus root, onion, celery, and Vietnamese coriander in a large bowl, pour the fish sauce dressing over them, and mix well. Let the salad sit for about 5-10 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Arrange the lotus root salad on a plate, you can pick some shrimp and place them on top for a nice presentation, sprinkle with roasted peanuts, add some fried onions and cilantro, and enjoy. It will be even tastier if you have shrimp crackers at home.

Dessert

Seasonal fruits are delicious and inexpensive. (oranges, mangoes, watermelons, ripe bananas...)

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