Water Chestnut and Lotus Seed Dessert 清凉马蹄莲子甜汤

This is a cooling dessert and a healthy snack for warm weather... and it is easy to prepare. Here's the recipe...

The main ingredients are: water chestnuts 马蹄, fresh lotus seeds 鲜莲子, brown rock sugar 黄冰糖或冰片糖 and pandan leaves 斑斓叶.

Water Chestnuts are a good source of potassium, fiber and Vitamin B. They are low in sodium, fat free but quite high in carbohydrates. They also contain protein, Vitamin A and C, calcium, iron and carotene. Water chestnuts have been regarded as a cooling tonic in TCM; they are cold in nature and excellent for clearing Heat 清熱. They are also believed to cure jaundice, detoxify the body, ease fever, promote urination and aid digestion. More of its medicinal benefits can be found on this Chinese website 中国食品百科全书. An excerpt from the website:《本草纲目》中记有“马蹄能清热消渴，治脾热，湿中益气，开胃下食，清 心明目，解热杀菌，清黄疸，降血压，治疗多种疾病。When buying fresh water chestnuts, choose those that are hard and firm and with smooth skins and no soft spots as the presence of soft spots may suggest that the chestnuts are mushy inside.

Lotus Seeds are a good source of protein and generally pretty low in fat. They contain carbohydrate, water and minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. They are used extensively in TCM and Chinese desserts. When cooked in clear soups, lotus seeds are believed to clear Heat and are particularly nutritious and restorative to our health. This Chinese website 百科百度 mentions the uses of lotus seeds in Chinese medical records:《本草再新》莲子味甘，性微凉，无毒。补脾止泻，益肾涩精，养心安神。用于脾虚久泻，遗精带下，心悸失眠。 Fresh lotus seeds are available in both supermarkets and wet markets.

The preparations... wash water chestnuts thoroughly to remove traces of soil and peel off the skin; put the flesh in a blender and make a water chestnut puree. Rinse fresh lotus seeds and set aside.

Let’s start... place the water chestnut puree in boiling water and cook for 10 minutes, then add in the lotus seeds, some pandan leaves and brown rock sugar to taste and bring to boil and it’s done!

Hope you try this cooling and healthy dessert... Cheers!