brown sugar glutinous rice lotus roots

How to Make Sweet Glutinous Rice Lotus Root

Sweet glutinous rice lotus root, a beloved Chinese dessert, combines the earthy flavor of lotus root with the sweetness of brown sugar and the chewiness of glutinous rice. Here’s a simple guide to making it at home.

Ingredients: 1 fresh lotus root, 150g glutinous rice, 100g brown sugar, 5-10 rock sugar pieces, 1 tbsp honey, and a few dried osmanthus flowers (optional).

Steps:

1. Prepare the lotus root: Peel and choose a thick, straight lotus root. Cut off both ends, then carefully stuff the glutinous rice into each hole using a chopstick. Seal the openings with toothpicks to prevent rice from leaking out.

2. Cook the lotus root: Place the stuffed lotus root in a pot, cover with water, and add brown sugar and rock sugar. Boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until the lotus root is tender and the rice is cooked.

3. Finish and serve: Turn off the heat and let the lotus root steep in the syrup for 1 hour to enhance flavor. Remove the toothpicks, slice the lotus root into rounds, drizzle with honey, and top with osmanthus flowers. Serve warm or chilled.

This dessert is not only delicious but also visually appealing, with its vibrant red syrup and white specks of rice. Perfect for family gatherings or afternoon tea!