Introduction:
Lotus leaves are large bright green leaves from the aquatic lotus plant.
Fresh lotus leaf is sweet in taste with a hint of bitterness.
Dry lotus leaves are used to add a fresh earthy tea scent to foods, most often steamed dumplings or even glutinous rice.
The lotus leaf aroma is infused in the rice when steamed.
For this recipe, I used two pieces of dry lotus leaves.
Ingredients:
3 large fresh Chicken drums (cut into 3 pieces per drum)
2 rice cups of Rice
2 pieces Dried Lotus Leaf
Half portion of Australian Pumpkin (diced)
1 pair premium grade Chinese Sausage
Home prepare chicken stock
Marinade for chicken drumsticks:
Ginger juice, premium dark soy sauce, dash of coarse sugar, sesame oil and cornflour.
Method:
In a large metal bowl with sufficient water to cover the lotus leaves.
Flip to the other side of both Lotus leaves and do the same.
Should take approximately about 25 minutes to soak both sides of the leaves until it softened.
Discard the basin of water and leave the Lotus leaves to dry or you can use paper hand towel to wipe dry.
Marinade the chopped chicken drumsticks for a couple of hours in the refrigerator.
Wash the rice and set aside.
In a non stick pan, add some cooking oil and a tablespoon of minced garlic.
Fry the minced garlic until fragrant.
Add the marinated chopped chicken drums and fry for a few minutes.
Add the sliced premium Chinese sausage and diced pumpkin.
Include another tablespoon of premium oyster sauce and drizzle sesame oil over the mixture.
Finally add the rice and include about a 150ml of home prepared chicken stock.
Leave the ingredients to cook for about 8 to 10 minutes before transferring to the lotus leaves.
Line the two pieces of lotus leaves together on a metal plate and add the semi cooked ingredients.
Wrap the ingredients with the lotus leaves like a parcel.
You can use toothpicks to secure the wrapping.
Heat up the steamer and steam the rice for about 40 minutes over medium heat.
Please make sure there are sufficient water for steaming.
By about half an hour, you should be able to smell the fragrance of the lotus leaves.
Check the rice to your doneness.
When done, turn off the steamer and serve the rice while hot.
Recommendation:
Would you like to prepare your own Lotus Seeds dessert.
For details, click here.
https://flofoodventure.wordpress.com/2013/10/12/lotus-seeds-dessert-lien-chee-suan/