The benefits of lotus seeds are numerous, including lowering blood pressure, calming the mind, and nourishing the kidneys. Moreover, lotus seeds are rich in calcium. However, they can be difficult to cook soft. You can soak them in hot alkaline water, or you can eat more lotus seed porridge, both of which can help you become healthier.
Rock Sugar Tremella and Lotus Seed Porridge
I. How to Cook Lotus Seeds Until They Are Soft
1. Soak in Hot Alkaline Water
Soak the lotus seeds in hot alkaline water, using a ratio of one part alkali to ten parts water. After the alkali has dissolved, soak the lotus seeds for about an hour. Rub the seeds with your hands until the skins come off, then soak them in hot water again. The lotus seed pulp will expand and will then cook soft quickly.
2. Freeze for a Day
First, place the lotus seeds in the freezer for a day, then cook them, and they will become soft easily. When cooking lotus seeds, you don't need a pressure cooker. Simply bring them to a boil for 5 minutes, turn off the heat, and let them steep on the stove. Once the pot has cooled slightly, bring it to a boil again. Repeat this process three times.
3. Add Sugar After They Are Cooked
Lotus seeds should only be soaked for a short time (about ten minutes) or not soaked at all. The reason they may not cook soft could be due to soaking them for too long or adding sugar too early. This is because the moisture inside is drawn out, causing the seeds to become shrunken and thus difficult to cook. Therefore, it is better to add the sugar after they are cooked.
II. Several Common Lotus Seed Recipes
1. Lotus Seed Porridge
Use 20 grams of lotus seeds, 15 grams of brown sugar, and 100 grams of glutinous rice. Soak the lotus seeds in water for 30 minutes, remove the cores, and place them in a pot with the washed glutinous rice. Add an appropriate amount of water and cook into a porridge. When the porridge is almost done, add the brown sugar and cook for a moment longer. Serve warm on an empty stomach in the morning and evening, suitable for all seasons.
This porridge has the effects of tonifying the spleen to stop diarrhea, benefiting the kidneys to secure essence, and nourishing the heart to calm the mind. It can be used to treat conditions such as spleen deficiency with diarrhea, kidney deficiency with insecure essence, seminal emission and frequent urination, leukorrhea in women, palpitations, and vexation with insomnia.
2. Braised Black-Boned Chicken with Lotus Seeds
20 grams of lotus seeds, 15 grams of ginkgo nuts, and 1 black-boned chicken (about 500 grams). Clean the black-boned chicken, removing feathers and internal organs. Place the roughly ground ginkgo nuts and lotus seeds into the chicken's abdominal cavity. Add seasonings such as ginger, pepper, scallion, and fine salt, along with an appropriate amount of water. Stew until thoroughly cooked and ready to eat. Consume once daily.
This recipe has the effects of tonifying the liver and kidneys, and stopping leukorrhea. It is suitable for conditions such as depleted vital energy, red and white leukorrhea, and diminished sexual function in both men and women.
Steam ribs