Lotus Guanglian

Lotus Guanglian

　　The lotus seeds are tender, sweet, sticky, and shaped like a lotus flower.

　　 Ingredients

　　 Main ingredients: 200g Guangchang white lotus seeds, 150g potato (yellow skin); Seasonings: 25g lard (refined), 150g white sugar

　　 Preparation method

　　 1. Wash the white lotus seeds (Guangchang white lotus seeds) with water, soak them, and steam until 90% cooked;

　　 2. Peel and wash the potatoes, steam them, then mash them with a knife into potato mash, mix in a little sugar, and set aside;

　　 3. Take a soup bowl, first coat the inside with refined lard and sugar;

　　 4. Then stand the white lotus seeds upright one by one in the bowl, with the colored pointed ends facing the bottom of the bowl. After arranging all the lotus seeds, spread a layer of the prepared potato mash on top;

　　 5. Then place the remaining lotus seeds on top of the potato mash, sprinkle white sugar over the lotus seeds, add 50 ml of water, and steam in a steamer over high heat for 15 minutes before removing;

　　 6. Use a large shallow round plate, invert the steamed lotus seeds onto the center of the plate, and the rock sugar syrup is ready.

　　 Cultural Background

　　 Guangchang County is known as the “Hometown of White Lotus in China.” One summer, during an unusually hot period, General Yue Fei of the Southern Song Dynasty visited Dazhu Township Yingxia Village in Guangchang to comfort the soldiers. After inscribing a plaque reading “Mozhuang” for the villagers, he returned to the county office, covered in dust and drenched in sweat. At noon, the county office held a banquet to welcome General Yue, and to help relieve his fatigue from the journey, the officials asked the chef to prepare a dish that would cool him down while also showcasing local characteristics. The chef had a sudden inspiration and made a lotus-shaped dish using lotus seeds. After several rounds of drinks, this “Lotus Guanglian” was served, and General Yue praised it repeatedly, feeling the summer heat instantly dissipate. Because the dish resembled a lotus flower, General Yue named it “Lotus Guanglian.” Since then, this dish has been passed down in Guangchang County for over 800 years.