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Salted lotus seeds are an incredibly fragrant and delicious side dish that is essential for festive occasions and holidays. The sweet and savory taste, along with the distinctive crunch, will enchant anyone who tries it. Now, you don't have to wait for holidays or go through the trouble of buying them. You can easily follow the recipe for making salted lotus seeds with a few simple steps that Mytour shares below for the whole family to enjoy.
1. What are salted lotus seeds? Are they delicious?
Lotus seeds are known to be a type of fruit rich in nutrients good for health. This fruit is prepared by salting it to be served with various dishes such as meat, shrimp, fish... to avoid monotony. Salted lotus seeds have a special aroma and flavor, being both tangy and crispy with a hint of bitterness, making them extremely enjoyable.
For food enthusiasts, dishes like boiled snails, fried pig ears, etc., definitely cannot go without a plate of salted lotus seeds. Despite their simplicity, lotus seeds will enhance the appeal of other dishes, while also providing the body with various nutrients, boosting immunity, aiding digestion, preventing constipation, and helping with cardiovascular health and blood pressure.
Making salted lotus seeds at home is extremely simple, cost-effective, and can be stored for a long time without harming the stomach like other sour dishes. In terms of flavor, salted lotus seeds are just as good. So, why not add this tempting dish to your family's menu right away!
2. Guide to 2 ways to make fragrant, crispy salted lotus seeds without bitterness
These simple ways to make salted lotus seeds below will give you a batch of delicious, crispy, sweet lotus seeds without any bitterness.
Recipe for Sweet and Sour Salted Lotus Seeds
Ingredients:
- 0.5 kg fresh lotus seeds
- White vinegar
- Sugar
- Chili peppers
- Garlic
Steps:
Step 1: Wash the lotus seeds thoroughly, remove the stems, and soak them in a mixture of saltwater and white vinegar for 15 minutes. Then, slice the lotus seeds and soak them in a fresh diluted saltwater bath for 3 - 4 hours. Finally, rinse them several times with water to reduce bitterness and saltiness, then drain.
Step 2: Peel the garlic and divide it into 2 portions, finely chop one portion and slice the other. Wash and slice the chili peppers, removing the seeds if desired.
Step 3: Heat a pan on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of water, ½ tablespoon of fish sauce, ½ tablespoon of vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of sugar, then bring to a boil. Season to taste and let it cool.
Step 4: After draining the lotus seeds, mix them well with garlic and chili peppers, then transfer to a glass jar.
Step 5: Pour the lukewarm soaking water into the jar of lotus seeds and use a porcelain bowl to press them down to keep them submerged. Cover with a lid and soak for 3 days until the lotus seeds' shells turn a light yellow color, indicating they are ready to enjoy.
Finished Product: Delicious Salted Lotus Seeds
Making sweet and sour salted lotus seeds is quite simple; with just a few steps, you can complete this delicious side dish. The lotus seeds are crispy, tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy. You can enjoy this dish with traditional rice cakes, pork, or various seafood dishes—perfect for any occasion.
See also: How to make chili peppers in fish sauce for long-term storage
Recipe for Pickled Lotus Seeds
If you want to enjoy pickled lotus seeds immediately, you can try the pickling method. After completion, you can enjoy them right away without waiting for the seeds to ripen. The recipe is extremely simple and easy to follow.
Ingredients:
- 1kg fresh lotus seeds
- 600ml white vinegar
- Fish sauce
- 2 limes
- 1 piece of ginger
- 2 cloves of garlic
- Chili peppers
- Sugar, salt
Execution Steps
Step 1: Wash the lotus seeds thoroughly, remove the stems, and soak them in a diluted saltwater bath for 20 minutes to clean the sap. Then, slice the lotus seeds into thin slices and soak them in another diluted saltwater bath, adding lime juice, for another 20 minutes. Rinse the lotus seeds several times with water to clean them, then drain.
Step 2: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of lime salt in 500ml of vinegar, then soak the drained lotus seeds in it for 30 minutes to remove the bitter taste of the seeds.
Step 3: Peel the ginger and slice it into small strips. Peel the garlic, finely chop half and slice the other half. Slice the chili peppers, removing the seeds.
Step 4: Heat the mixture for soaking lotus seeds by placing a pot on the stove, adding the remaining 100ml vinegar, 200ml fish sauce, and about 200g sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil until the mixture is completely dissolved, then turn off the heat and let it cool.
Step 5: After draining the lotus seeds, mix them with the cooled soaking mixture. Mix well by hand until the seeds are fully infused with the seasonings, then they are ready to enjoy.
Finished Product
Making pickled lotus seeds is very quick and can be enjoyed immediately. You can enjoy them with various dishes such as cakes, snails, meat, or with plain rice. Pickled lotus seeds will have a beautiful green color after pickling. When you eat them, you will feel the tangy, spicy taste blending with the salty, sweet flavors, creating a delightful sensation.
3. Important Notes When Making Salted Lotus Seeds
To ensure the best flavor for salted lotus seeds, besides following the recipe correctly, pay attention to the following important notes:
- Choose fresh, intact lotus seeds without bruises, softness, or withering.
- When selecting lotus seeds, opt for sticky lotus seeds rather than non-sticky ones. Sticky lotus seeds are tastier and crunchier than non-sticky ones. Sticky lotus seeds have a round shape, with a core, and a pink edge inside.
- To preserve salted lotus seeds for a long time and ensure hygiene, use glass jars/containers for storing them.
- Before salting the lotus seeds, blanch them in boiling water and let the jars/containers dry thoroughly to ensure clean and longer preservation of the salted seeds.
- During the salting process, make sure the lotus seeds do not float on the surface of the water to avoid them becoming discolored or yellowed.
- After the lotus seeds are ready to eat, store them in the refrigerator's cool compartment to prolong their shelf life and maintain their crispiness and sweetness.
Above are some simple methods for making salted lotus seeds shared in this article. Hopefully, you will successfully apply them and achieve delicious salted lotus seeds as expected. Don't forget to follow Mytour for more updates on various attractive food recipes!
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