Difficulty:[usr 3]
The lotus has special significance to Buddhists, for, it is said, Gautama Buddha compared man striving to do good to a delicate lotus flower rising undefiled from the muddy ground of a lake to the surface. /P>
Salad:
Peel the lotus root and cut it widthwise into slices about 0.5 cm thick. Bring a saucepan to a boil and throw in the lotus slices, leaving them only 5 seconds to blanch them. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Mix the lotus slices with vinegar in a bowl. Arrange on a platter. Sprinkle with sugar and salt to taste and serve immediately.
Sprouts:
Bamboo shoots are decoratively cut in the shape of a flower in this stunning vegetable composition
Cut the bamboo shoots by peeling them to obtain long rectangles. With a very sharp knife, cut a "V" on each side of the rectangles and remove that piece. The shoots will then have the shape of a flower.
Mince or mix the prawns, salt and a teaspoon of cornstarch with water in a blender. Place a little of this mixture in the center of each flower and top it with a touch of crab eggs. Steam for 3-4 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the spinach leaves. heat the chicken broth and thicken it with the remaining cornstarch. Pour over the bamboo shoots and serve immediately.
Tip: If you can't get the flower shape with the bamboo, you cut the shoots diagonally and arrange the shrimp paste and the coral on top, but the result will be less decorative.
