Spicy Lotus Root Slices
Crisp lotus root slices tossed in a fiery and numbing Sichuan sauce, delivering a refreshing crunch with every bite, perfect as an appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
13 items- Lotus root 300g
- Cooking oil 3 tablespoons
- Chili powder 1 tablespoon
- Sichuan peppercorn powder 1 teaspoon
- Garlic 3 cloves
- White sesame seeds 1 tablespoon
- Light soy sauce 2 tablespoons
- Black vinegar 1 tablespoon
- Sugar 1 teaspoon
- Salt 1/2 teaspoon
- Chicken bouillon (optional) 1/2 teaspoon
- Cilantro 2 sprigs
- Scallions 2 stalks
Nutrition
Steps （8 steps）
Peel and slice lotus root into 0.3cm thick rounds. Soak in water with 1 teaspoon white vinegar for 10 minutes to prevent browning.
Bring a pot of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon oil. Blanch lotus root slices for 1-2 minutes until just tender. Drain and plunge into cold water to keep crisp, then drain thoroughly.
Prepare the spicy dressing: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, Sichuan peppercorn powder, minced garlic and white sesame seeds. Heat 3 tablespoons oil until smoking, pour over the bowl to release fragrance, stir well.
Once the oil has cooled slightly, add light soy sauce, black vinegar, sugar, salt and chicken bouillon. Stir to combine into a spicy dressing.
Place drained lotus root slices in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over, add cilantro and scallions. Toss well with gloved hands to coat evenly.
Let the slices marinate for 10-15 minutes to absorb flavors, stirring halfway.
Transfer to a serving plate, drizzle remaining dressing over, and garnish with extra scallions and sesame seeds. Serve.
For best results, refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving; the cold temperature enhances crunch and flavor.
Tips
Soaking sliced lotus root in vinegar water prevents discoloration. Adding salt and oil to the blanching water keeps the slices bright and crisp. Make sure the oil is hot enough when pouring over spices to unlock their full aroma. Adjust chili and Sichuan pepper to your spice tolerance. Longer marinating yields deeper flavor; refrigeration adds a refreshing kick.
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