Crispy Lotus Flower – Elegant, Beautiful, and Easy to Make at Home

Vietnamese cuisine always offers unique dishes made from natural ingredients. One of them is crispy lotus flower, a dish that combines the pure beauty of the lotus flower with an irresistible crunchy texture. Let’s explore how to prepare this dish at home with the simple recipe shared by “Sổ Tay Món Ăn” below.

Crispy lotus flower – an elegant appetizer

Ingredients Needed for Crispy Lotus Flower

To create the perfect crispy lotus flower, you need to prepare the following ingredients:

• Fresh lotus flowers: Choose newly bloomed lotus flowers with fresh, undamaged petals. Vietnamese lotus (pink lotus) usually has a stronger fragrance than Thai lotus (white lotus). About 5-7 flowers are enough for an appetizer plate.
• Frying batter: You can use pre-mixed batter or make your own mixture of wheat flour, rice flour, tapioca starch, egg, and seasonings to enhance crispiness.
• Egg: 1 egg helps the batter stick better and creates a beautiful yellow color.
• Seasonings: Salt, ground pepper, sugar, cooking oil.
• Lemon juice or rice vinegar: Soak the lotus petals to maintain crispiness and reduce slight bitterness.
• Fresh herbs and pickled vegetables: Lettuce, herbs, and carrot flowers to make the dish more appealing.
• Dipping sauce: Chili sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, or sweet and sour fish sauce according to taste.

Detailed Instructions for Making Crispy Lotus Flower

Step 1: Preparing the Lotus Flower

• Gently separate each lotus petal, rinse under a gentle stream of water to remove dirt.
• Soak the petals in a diluted solution of lemon juice/rice vinegar (1:2 ratio) for about 5-10 minutes. Then, remove and let them drain completely.

Step 2: Mixing the Frying Batter

• If using pre-mixed batter, follow the instructions on the package. The usual ratio of batter to water is 1:1 or 1:1.2.
• To make your own batter, mix 100g of wheat flour, 50g of rice flour, 30g of tapioca starch, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of ground pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Beat in an egg, stir well, and gradually add water until the batter is smooth.

Step 3: Frying the Lotus Flower

• Heat cooking oil in a deep pan. When the oil is hot, dip each lotus petal into the frying batter and gently drop it into the pan.
• Fry over medium heat until the petals are evenly golden and crispy. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels to drain the oil.

Correct technique for frying lotus flowers

Step 4: Presentation and Enjoyment

• Arrange the crispy lotus flowers on a plate, garnish with fresh herbs and pickled vegetables.
• Prepare your favorite dipping sauce such as chili sauce, mayonnaise, or sweet and sour fish sauce.
• Enjoy the dish while it’s hot to savor the crispy texture of the batter combined with the gentle fragrance of the lotus flower.

Creative Variations with Crispy Lotus Flower

You can get creative with the dish by:

• Coating with sesame seeds: Roll the petals in white or black sesame seeds before frying.
• Sweet and sour sauce: Drizzle sweet and sour sauce over the crispy lotus flowers.
• Shrimp and meat filling: Stuff shrimp and meat mixture into the center of the petals before frying.
• Vegan version: Use coconut milk instead of egg and vegan dipping sauce.

Nutritional Value of Crispy Lotus Flower

Lotus flowers are not just a culinary ingredient but also offer many health benefits:

• Rich in antioxidants: Protects cells from free radicals, slowing down the aging process.
• Supports digestion: Contains fiber, improving the digestive system.
• Calming and stress-relieving: The gentle fragrance helps relax and improve sleep.
• Good for heart health: Helps reduce bad cholesterol and blood pressure.

Note that this is a fried dish, so enjoy it in moderation and balance your diet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crispy Lotus Flower

1. Which type of lotus flower is best?

   Vietnamese lotus (pink lotus) has a stronger fragrance, while Thai lotus (white lotus) has larger, more beautiful petals. You can choose based on your preference.

2. How to prevent the lotus flower from absorbing oil?

   Fry at the right oil temperature and avoid frying too many petals at once.

3. Can I use frozen lotus flowers?

   It’s not recommended as frozen lotus flowers tend to become soft when thawed.

4. What is the best dipping sauce?

   Chili sauce, mayonnaise, or sweet and sour fish sauce are all excellent choices.

Conclusion

The crispy lotus flower is not only a delicious dish but also a culinary art piece. Try this recipe at home and share your results! Don’t forget to follow “Sổ Tay Món Ăn” for more exciting recipes!