One or two years ago, there was a big argument between the members of National Assembly, what would be our National items? Finally, after a long debate, lotus (water lilies) was selected as one of our national symbols! Same as India and Egypt!
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Lotus seeds is a must ingredient for many finest delicacies
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Every one of us surely remember a famous folklore (or proverb) when we were still on the high school bench.
" Trong đầm gì đẹp bằng sen,
Lá xanh, hoa trắng lại chen nhị vàng
Nhị vàng, hoa trắng, lá xanh
gần bùn mà chẳng hôi tanh mùi bùn"
(literally means
"What could be pretty as lotus in the lagoon,
Green leaves, white flowers with golden stamen
Golden stamen, white flowers with green leaves
Growing in mire, but not foul of mire") (*)
I'm curious about the food culture related to this symbolic flower!
Bad thing that I'm not a master chef, so I'm not able to suggest what kind of dish can be created with the lotus!
Good thing that I'm a pretty good observer!
Let's start from what I bought this afternoon on the street!
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Lotus seedpod on the street!
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Just peel off the green outer and eat as healthy fruit snack!
In the center of the seed - there is a "tim sen" lotus heart - a bit bitter but I was told it's a good medecin for sleepless!
Lotus seed is used as main ingredient for chè sen, sweet dessert soup, which is served at almost all restaurants specializing in Huế food.
Lotus seed from Huế and Hà Nội considered as the best! Small size, nice flavor ! Soft when it's cooked! To make lotus seeds soft, not crumbled during cooking is not simple!
Chè sen is simple, but maybe some tips from master chef are required for the finest sweet delicacy!
Moon cake with lotus paste is another delicate sweet! I need another few months to post a photo of the moon cake as it's not in season!
Lotus seed stirred with sugar - mứt sen, is a must as sweet item during our Lunar New Year!
Just stir with sugar ? But how to do it, what kind of lotus seed, how much sugar, how to stir...
again it's far from ease!
One more thing, if you taste mứt sen, don't forget to ask for a cup of lotus tea (tea blended with lotus aroma - trà ướp sen). That would be the finest harmony!
If mứt sen is too sweet, we have "sen sấy" (dried lotus seed) as another choice!
Crispy when bite, tasty but not sweet! Good gift for friends!
Both mứt sen, sen sấy are expensive but that's worth checking out!
Lotus leaves for famous "fried rice wrapped in lotus leaf" or some other grilled or steamed dishes!
Lotus stem (ngó sen) salad, mixed with shrimp, pork, fresh chili, Vietnamese mint... a best choice at many Vietnamese restaurants.
Lotus roots (củ sen, literally means lotus tuber) are also popular in Vietnamese cooking.
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Lotus roots or tuber (củ sen) can cook as soup or sweet dessert soup!
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Time to sit back, to admire the beauty of this flower.
And to wonder how much we are grateful to our incredibly beautiful nature!
Or you can check the video I found on Youtube but sorry, it's restricted to watch only on Youtube!
And to wonder how much we are grateful to our incredibly beautiful nature!
Please do check the website called "Lotus Life" by Trần Bích - a business man - photographer.
He fell in love with Lotus and humanized Lotus as our life.
Very nice, emotional and speaking photos about Lotus!
Or you can check the video I found on Youtube but sorry, it's restricted to watch only on Youtube!
(*) My translation, but if anyone could come up with a better version, I would be very grateful for the help!
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