Delicious and Easy-to-Make Dishes with Lotus Stem

Explore these delicious and easy-to-make dishes featuring water lily stems:

1. Water Lily Stem Salad

Ingredients:

– One bunch of water lily stems

– Vinegar, sugar, lime, chili, and Vietnamese coriander

– Roasted peanuts

– Grilled rice crackers

– Vietnamese fermented bean curd dip

Instructions:

Peel and cut the water lily stems into 4-5 cm pieces. Place them in a clean bowl and gently squeeze with your hands to bruise them slightly, being careful not to crush them completely.

In a small bowl, mix two spoons of sugar with vinegar and stir until dissolved. Pour this mixture over the water lily stems, add some finely chopped Vietnamese coriander, and mix well.

Serve the salad with the fermented bean curd dip or soy sauce on the side for a tasty treat.

2. Water Lily Stem and Shrimp Salad

Ingredients:

– Water lily stems: 300g

– Bean sprouts and carrots: 100g each

– Shrimp: 200g

– Pork belly: 150g

– Peanuts, green onions

– Fresh herbs, chili

– Seasonings: fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, etc.

Instructions:

Step 1: Clean and peel the water lily stems, cutting them into bite-sized pieces. You can split them in half lengthwise or leave them whole. Soak the stems in salted lukewarm water.

Step 2: Shred the carrots and rinse the bean sprouts. Soak them together with the water lily stems for about 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Step 3: Boil the pork belly until cooked, then let it cool and cut into thick strips.

Step 4: Steam the shrimp and peel them. Roast the peanuts, remove their skins, and crush them lightly.

Step 5: Finely chop the chili and herbs, ensuring the herbs are well-drained before chopping.

Step 6: In a bowl, mix fish sauce, vinegar, and sugar to taste. Add the chopped chili to this mixture and set aside.

Step 7: In a clean bowl, combine the shrimp, pork belly, water lily stems, bean sprouts, and carrots. Pour the dressing over this mixture and toss well. Let the flavors meld for about 5-7 minutes, then add the fresh herbs and give it a final mix.

Step 8: Serve the salad on a plate and sprinkle the crushed peanuts on top.

3. Sour Fish Soup with Water Lily Stems

Ingredients:

– Water lily stems: peel and cut into sections

– Fish (cleaned)

– Sour plums

– Tomato, rice paddy herb, spring onion, sawtooth herb: cleaned and drained

– Chili, seasonings

Cooking instructions:

Step 1: Boil some water and add the sour plums. Once they soften, remove them, mash them, and strain the liquid.

Step 2: Continue boiling the strained liquid and add the tomato. Season to taste, then add the fish. After about 5-6 minutes, when the fish is cooked, add the water lily stems and remaining seasonings. Once it boils again, turn off the heat and serve. Garnish with the herbs and add chili if desired.

This sour soup pairs excellently with rice or noodles when served hot.