Lotus Root and Pumpkin Porridge
Boost Your Vitality with ‘Lotus Root and Pumpkin Porridge’: A Nourishing Soup from the Earth
Introducing a nourishing Lotus Root and Pumpkin Porridge recipe perfect for the whole family. It’s not only great for dieting but also acts as a restorative tonic when you’re feeling low on energy. This is the comforting taste your mother used to make when you were sick. It’s an incredibly simple recipe where you just blend lotus root and cook it – achieving both deliciousness and health benefits.
Ingredients
- 1 lotus root (medium size)
- 1 cup water (200ml)
- 1 handful pumpkin (about 1/4 pumpkin)
- 1 tablespoon perilla oil
- 1 handful glutinous rice (dry, about 1/4 cup)
- 1 handful carrot (about 1/4 carrot)
- 2 cups broth
- Pinch of salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare a delicious broth. Using seasonal vegetables will enhance the broth’s flavor. I often add leftover vegetable scraps when making broth, which makes it sweeter and tastier. Try using various vegetables like anchovies, kelp, radish, onion, and green onion.
Step 2
Wash the lotus root thoroughly, peel it, and then blanch it briefly in boiling water. This step removes any astringency, softens the texture, and prevents browning. After the blanched lotus root has cooled slightly, combine it with 1 cup of water in a blender and process until smooth.
Step 3
Finely dice the pumpkin and carrot into pieces similar in size to the lotus root. The rich beta-carotene in pumpkin and the anthoxanthin in lotus root synergize to help stabilize blood pressure. Consuming these two ingredients together can have a positive effect on blood pressure management.
Step 4
Heat 1 tablespoon of perilla oil in a pot over medium-low heat. Add the diced pumpkin and carrot and sauté until slightly translucent, being careful not to burn them. Sautéing helps bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
Step 5
Once the vegetables are somewhat softened, pour in 2 cups of the prepared broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and continue to simmer.
Step 6
Soak the glutinous rice in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand; this makes the porridge softer and quicker to cook. Add the soaked glutinous rice to the pot and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping.
Step 7
When the glutinous rice has started to break down, add the pureed lotus root and mix well. To prevent sticking, lower the heat to medium and stir continuously with chopsticks or a ladle for about 5 minutes more. Adjust the cooking time based on the porridge’s consistency.
Step 8
If the porridge is too thick, add a little more water. If it’s too watery, simmer it a bit longer until you reach your desired consistency. Finally, season with salt, turn off the heat, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of perilla oil for added aroma.
Step 9
Your revitalizing Lotus Root and Pumpkin Porridge is ready! It’s incredibly easy to make but packed with flavor and health benefits, making it a superb restorative meal. It’s a perfect hearty and comforting dish.
Step 10
This porridge has a subtle, pleasant sweetness and a wonderfully smooth texture that isn’t heavy. Even though it’s a porridge, it’s satisfying enough for a full meal. When you don’t have much appetite or want a simple meal, you can easily make this if you have lotus root on hand. If someone in your family is ill or feeling weak, this porridge will greatly help restore their energy. It has a pure taste derived solely from lotus root and fresh vegetables, making it exceptionally suitable as baby food.
Step 11
Lotus Root and Pumpkin Porridge pairs wonderfully with a sweet and sour pickled cucumber salad (Oi Tang Tang Yi)! The refreshing tang of the cucumber salad adds vibrancy to the soft, mild porridge, creating a fantastic combination that awakens the palate.
