Lotus Leaf Rice
How to Make Nutritious Glutinous Rice Wrapped in Lotus Leaves
July is when the beautiful lotus flowers bloom, but this year, I missed the chance to see them. Around this time, I always think of glutinous rice infused with the fragrant aroma of lotus leaves. Let’s make some lotus leaf rice! This recipe is perfect for a special meal or a healthy, satisfying breakfast.
Ingredients- 1kg glutinous rice
- 250g red beans
- 1 cup foxtail millet
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup ginkgo nuts
- 1 cup dates
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- Pinch of salt
- Appropriate amount of clean lotus leaves (for steaming)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 1kg of glutinous rice. Wash it thoroughly and soak it in plenty of water for 4-5 hours. Soaking the glutinous rice well will result in a softer and more delicious rice.
Step 2
Similarly, wash 1 cup of foxtail millet and soak it in water for 4-5 hours. Soaking glutinous rice and millet together will create a richer, more nutritious, and flavorful rice.
Step 3
Boil 250g of red beans in water until tender. Don’t discard the red bean cooking water; we’ll use it later to add moisture to the rice. Pre-boiling the red beans makes the process smoother.
Step 4
Roast the ginkgo nuts with their shells in a dry pan without oil until golden brown. While they are still warm, rub them together to easily remove the shells. Prepare only the nut kernels.
Step 5
Briefly blanch 1 cup of peanuts and 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds in boiling water. This helps remove any raw taste and prepares them cleanly. After blanching, rinse them under cold water and drain.
Step 6
Combine the soaked glutinous rice and millet, boiled red beans, and blanched peanuts in a steamer and steam them together. This blend of grains and nuts will create a rich flavor.
Step 7
Meanwhile, lightly salt the red bean cooking water. During the steaming process, sprinkle this salted water over the rice 2-3 times, mixing gently each time. This step is crucial for making the rice moist and flavorful, ensuring a soft and delicious texture. It replenishes moisture as the rice cooks.
Step 8
Steam the rice for about 40 minutes until it’s perfectly cooked. This nutritious glutinous rice is delicious on its own, but now we’ll infuse it with the aroma of lotus leaves to create a special lotus leaf rice.
Step 9
Lay the clean lotus leaves flat at the bottom of the steamer or on a serving dish. Place a portion of the cooked nutritious glutinous rice onto the leaves. Arrange the prepared dates, ginkgo nuts, and pine nuts attractively on top of the rice. Then, carefully wrap the lotus leaves to form a neat package.
Step 10
Place the wrapped lotus leaf rice back into the steamer and steam for an additional 15-20 minutes. The gentle, refreshing aroma of the lotus leaves will permeate the rice, creating a deeper, more complex flavor. This completes the making of your aromatic lotus leaf rice!
Step 11
This carefully prepared lotus leaf rice is convenient to take on outdoor trips or picnics. It’s also excellent for busy professionals as a hearty and healthy breakfast option if stored in the freezer. Enjoy this healthy and delicious meal not just on special occasions, but anytime!
