Lotus root: the calorie content and composition of an Asian delicacy, what are the beneficial properties of the product and how it can be used in cooking, whether it has contraindications. It is noteworthy that today lotus root is included in many drugs in the dietary supplements category. There are also various tonic teas on the market. In Russian culture, such drugs are not very popular, but they are in great demand in China, India and Vietnam.
Harm and contraindications to lotus root
Despite the fact that lotus root is very useful, you should know - at the moment its chemical composition has not yet been fully studied, and therefore you need to approach its use with caution.
Mostly, caution should be exercised by pregnant women, lactating women and allergy sufferers, as well as people suffering from chronic diseases or other health problems. Do not forget that for our strip this product is rather exotic, and therefore before using it, an extra consultation with a doctor will not hurt.
In addition, it is important to remember that, as we said at the beginning of the article, if improperly prepared, the lotus root is poisonous, this is due to the presence of a harmful alkaloid in its composition - nelumbine. One way or another, some amount of this substance remains in the product even after heat treatment, and therefore it is strongly discouraged to abuse the lotus root.
Lotus root recipes
Perhaps, after you have learned that the product contains a toxic component, it will be difficult for you to take seriously the section that describes the recipes for its preparation. However, on the Internet you can find opinions according to which the information about the toxicity of the lotus root is very inflated. People who know Chinese culture claim that the product is widely sold in this country, is inexpensive, and the use of lotus root in recipes is a common practice. At that moment, when the same fugu - very tasty, but poisonous fish if cooked improperly - is not so easy to get and not every housewife will undertake to cook it. And this fact, in fact, casts doubt on the validity of the lotus's poisonous accusations.
Yes, no one denies the content of non-lumbine in its composition (however, its amount is probably very negligible), but the onions and garlic so adored by us contain sulfanyl-hydroxyl ions - components that are extremely toxic to humans. One way or another, given that the information is ambiguous, we will not strongly recommend that you cook lotus root, but we will give some interesting recipes. It is up to you to decide whether to try them or not.
Lotus root recipes:
- Pork baked with lotus root … Cut the pork (200 grams) into portions, fry, after rolling each piece in starch (you need about 1 teaspoon for all the meat). When the pork is golden brown, add to it the lotus root (200 grams), cut into slices. Cook until the root is slightly discolored. Place pork root in a baking dish, top with sauces - bechamel (150 ml) and miso paste (2 tablespoons) are ideal, however you can add any others. Place the dish in the oven, preheated to 200 degrees, and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Oyster mushroom salad … Cut the lotus root (150 grams) and lemon (1/2 part) into thin slices. Divide oyster mushrooms (4 pieces) into 4-6 parts. Cut Japanese mustard root (1 piece) and bell pepper (1 piece) into thin strips. Fry the lotus root in a preheated skillet until golden brown. Remove the root from the pan and put the mushrooms in it, fry them for 10-15 minutes. Combine all the ingredients, season with olive oil or your favorite sauce.
- Oysters garnished with turnip and lotus root … Rinse oysters (120 grams) and roll in starch (about 1 tablespoon will be needed). Cut the turnips (1 piece) into large cubes, the lotus (half of one root) into thin strips. Fry chopped garlic (2 cloves) in a pan, add lotus and turnips to it. When a golden crust forms on them, add the oysters and pour over white dessert wine (50 ml). Cook while stirring constantly. When the wine smell disappears, turn the heat to low and simmer for a couple of minutes, then salt and pepper to taste, add butter (10 grams), stir and serve.
- Chinese chips … Cut the lotus root (1 piece) into very thin slices without peeling. Place it in a "marinade" of rice vinegar (1 teaspoon) and water (2 cups). After 10 minutes, rinse and dry. Heat the oil for deep-frying in a frying pan - there should be a lot of it, the lotus slices should float in the oil. Fry until golden crisp. Place the chips on a napkin to drain off excess oil, sprinkle with salt and your favorite seasoning.
- Chinese spicy side dish … Cut the lotus root (200 grams) into thick plates - about 3 cm each. Cut the bell pepper (50 grams) into strips of about the same thickness, chop the chili pepper (10 grams). Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan, put lotus root first, then sweet and hot peppers after a couple of minutes. Fry over high heat, stirring constantly, until the root acquires a golden hue. Add sugar (1/2 teaspoon), water (2 tablespoons) and simmer for 5 minutes over low heat.
It is noteworthy that lotus root is a simple and affordable product in Asian countries, and is equally highly valued by ordinary housewives and chefs of famous restaurants. He has earned the attention of talented culinary experts for his "lacy" appearance. At the beginning of the article, we said that air layers are hidden inside it, forming a beautiful pattern, which looks especially impressive if the lotus is cut into thin slices.
In restaurants, wishing to surprise visitors, they prepare exquisite desserts with root - it is fried, sprinkled with sugar and surrounded with mousses and fresh berries. An almost neutral taste and aroma allows lotus root to be equally successful as an ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes.
Interesting facts about the lotus
Lotus is one of the few plants capable of self-thermoregulation. This means that if the air temperature is 10 degrees, the temperature of the plant can be kept at 30 degrees. This mechanism is essential for pollination.
Also, the plant has an interesting structure that helps it stay perfectly clean, growing even in very dirty water. It is not surprising that with such an ability, for many ancient cultures, the lotus was the personification of spirituality and purity.
For example, the Chinese believed that the lotus grows not only on earth, but also in heaven, or rather in paradise. At the same time, the lotuses of heaven represent the souls of people. If a person was a righteous person, then his flower smells for a long time, but the lotuses, in which sinners have incarnated, quickly wither.
In Egypt, it was believed that the god Ra was born from a plant, and for many other gods the lotus was a kind of throne, for example, the sun god Osiris was always depicted sitting on a leaf of a plant, and the god of light Horus - on a flower. In addition, it was often used to decorate the tombs and sarcophagi of influential nobles.
Ancient Greek myth tells the touching story of the emergence of the plant. According to legend, a nymph turned into him, who swam to the surface of the water to admire the beauty of the courageous Hercules, but did not sink to the bottom, she remained to look after him. Girls in Ancient Greece, knowing about this legend, extolled the lotus in every possible way, considering it a symbol of femininity and eloquence, weaved it into their hair, and decorated their clothes. However, modern scientists treat the plant more pragmatically. For example, botanist Wilhelm Barlott studied the features of the dirt-repelling structure of the lotus for a long time, and as a result he was able to develop a paint with similar properties. One of the lotus varieties - blue lotus - is included in the list of narcotic substances in Russia and is prohibited for use.
Watch the video about the lotus root:
Lotus root is an exotic product for our country. However, in Asia it is highly valued, used in cooking and medicine. The root contains many useful components, but it also contains an aldehyde that is poisonous to humans. And although its level is minimal, we will not recommend that you use the product in your kitchen - you will have to decide whether to surprise your family with an exquisite dish from an Asian delicacy!
