Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Lotus Root Stir-fry

Lotus Root Stir Fry


First of all apologies for my short period of absence. It had been very challenging and struggling few weeks. Gradually things are coming back to normal phase and I'm getting back to routine. 
  
Lotus Root is not a common vegetable. As it is in the name, this is the root of lotus flower mainly used in Asian cuisine. It is used in soups, stir fries, deep fried, braised, pickled in hot and sour garlic chili sauce and also used in traditional herbal medicine. Click here to see picture of lotus root.

I picked this vegetable due to its nutritional benefits; lotus root is rich in Vitamin C, B group of vitamins and also has healthy amounts of minerals like copper and iron.  You can buy this vegetable from Chinese grocery stores.

It has a crunchy sweet taste; a close comparison could be raw carrot. However compared to carrot it is mild in sweetness and it remains crunchy even after cooking.

My recipe is a fusion between Chinese style and Sri Lankan style, to spice it up I’ve added curry powder and curry leaves for its pungent aroma and I’ve also added vinegar as sour flavor nicely blends with crunchy lotus root.

Lotus Root Stir Fry 
Lotus Root Stir Fry
Print Recipe here
Ingredients
Serves 3-4

2-3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 large onion, thinly sliced
Handful of curry leaves
2-3 dry red chili, roughly chopped
1 long lotus root approx. 200g
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp curry powder
Salt to taste









Method

Wash lotus root, peel off its skin, half them lengthwise and thinly slice.
Sliced Lotus Root and other ingredients for stir-fry

Heat oil in a large pan, add mustard seeds when it starts to splutter add onion, curry leaves and red chili. Stir fry till its aromatic and onion is translucent.

Add lotus root, cover the lid cook for 5 minutes till it becomes little soft. (Please note lotus root will remain crunchy even after cooking.) Add vinegar, curry powder and salt to taste. Stir well till vegetable is nicely coated with spices. Turn off heat and serve.

Stir frying lotus root in a large non-stick wok
I served with rice, you can serve it as a side for noodles as well.

Note: Other variation for this recipe could be Chinese style stir fry. Lotus root stir fried using sesame oil, adding garlic, chili and seasoning with soy sauce and vinegar. Finally garnish with green onions and white sesame seeds.
Lotus Root Stir Fry

13 comments:

  1. I've never tried lotus root.. but it looks like a great dish (anything with spice is always pretty good). :) Great photos. :)

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  2. my mom used to make a stir fry with just some masala.. some of these veggies are so local that we miss them here in the US.. your stir fry looks delicious!

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  3. Dear Ami, The lotus Root stir fry looks lovely and will soon try it.Thanks for the Mail.Dr.Guna

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  4. Beautiful click....such a tempting dish ...u have a lovely blog:)

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  5. I just saw lotus root in a market far from my house today (I journeyed there to buy bitter melon for my spouse, the Education Tipster's blood sugar) should have bought some for this nice recipe. Particularly liked your description of the vegetable

    Thank You.

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  6. Ami's Vegetarian DelicaciesDecember 13, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    Thank you, yes you should try them, I also saw frozen lotus root in chinese grocery stores the other day. but fresh ones are always good.

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  7. Ami's Vegetarian DelicaciesDecember 13, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    Thank you for your feedback :)

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  8. I love all things curry...beautiful stir fry, love the color :)

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  9. I never cooked lotus but I'll definitely try it! Thank you for this great recipe :)

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  10. Ami's Vegetarian DelicaciesDecember 16, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    You can buy them fresh or frozen in Chinese grocery stores

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  11. Ami's Vegetarian DelicaciesDecember 16, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    Thank you :)

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  12. I read a couple of recipes calling for lotus root but have never tried it. Thanks for sharing.
    Happy Holidays

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  13. Ami's Vegetarian DelicaciesDecember 29, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Hi Roxana,

    Thank you, & Wish you best wishes for coming New Year!

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