Baked sesame ginger lotus root: Healthy side dish * Plant Based Recipes: Easy Oil Free Vegan Recipes (2024)

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I recently found some poached lotus root at our local Japanese grocery store. I love lotus root, having ordered it (pickled) in salads for years – a very common preparation at Vietnamese restaurants. I will certainly have a vegan version of that salad on this website in the near future. However, I wanted to use up the rest of the poached lotus root in a warm preparation. I thought it would taste pretty good baked, and the following incredibly easy preparation didn’t disappoint. I just threw a few seasonings on it (ginger, salt, pepper), garnishes (green onion and sesame seeds) and used a tiny bit of tahini to bake the pieces and it was an excellent side dish for lunch.


Baked sesame ginger lotus root: Healthy side dish * Plant Based Recipes: Easy Oil Free Vegan Recipes (2)

Baked sesame ginger lotus root

Throw few seasonings on lotus root (ginger, salt, pepper), garnishes (green onion and sesame seeds) and used a tiny bit of tahini to bake the pieces and it was an excellent side dish for lunch.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Side Dish, Snacks

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: ginger, green onion, lotus root

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 Servings

Calories: 95kcal

Author: Jen deHaan

Ingredients

  • 5 oz lotus root poached and sliced, see notes
  • 2 tsp tahini
  • 1 Tbsp ginger minced
  • 1/4 cup green onion stems
  • 1 tsp sesame seed
  • 2 lime wedges
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven or toaster oven to 390 degrees.

  • Mix ginger and tahini together in a small bowl.

  • Either toss the lotus in the mixture, or spread onto each piece using a brush. I prefer brushing it on to use a minimal amount of oil.

  • Lay pieces on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, and bake for 10 minutes.

  • Flip lotus pieces, and bake for another 10-12 minutes until very slightly browned.

  • Transfer to plate, and season with salt and pepper.

  • Garnish with green onion, sesame seeds and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

* Poached and sliced lotus root can often be purchased from an asian grocery store, particularly a Japanese grocery store. It is usually in the refrigerated section, or fresh produce section. You can also buy fresh lotus root and poach it.

* Instead of seasoning with salt, you could add 1/4 tsp of soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos to the ginger and tahini mix.

Nutrition Facts

Baked sesame ginger lotus root

Amount per Serving

Calories

95

% Daily Value*

Fat

3

g

5

%

Cholesterol

mg

%

Sodium

178

mg

8

%

Potassium

451

mg

13

%

Carbohydrates

15

g

5

%

Fiber

4

g

17

%

Sugar

g

%

Protein

3

g

Vitamin A

125

IU

3

%

Vitamin C

33.5

mg

41

%

Calcium

58

mg

6

%

Iron

1.4

mg

8

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe? Customized it?Let us know how it was in the comments!

Why use lotus root?

Lotus root is a beautiful root vegetable that is a nutritious addition to your diet. It does not have a strong flavor of its own but has a great crunchy texture, so this it makes a great base for adding your favorite dressings and seasonings. Lotus must be cooked before you eat it, and there are a variety of different and common preparations from baking to poaching to pickling.

Lotus root is the rhizome of the lotus plant, an aquatic flower you may be familiar with. There are many possible health benefits associated with lotus root, including aiding with blood circulation and blood pressure in addition to digestion. It contains numerous vitamins and minerals, a significant source of fiber and has a moderate amount of protein. See this page for more information on the nutritional properties and composition of lotus root.

Lotus root is commonly used in salads, but is also prepared fried, baked, and put into stews, stir fry, and soups. We sometimes enjoy it in our spicy noodle soup.

Can’t find it for this recipe? This recipe will work fine with other root vegetables. Find more information and a picture of the raw plant over on Wikipedia.

Find lotus root

Lotus root is an inexpensive ingredient. You can find lotus root at the grocery store, however you will be more likely to find it at an asian grocery store or Japanese market. You can find it fresh or packaged. It’s best to be aware that some canned lotus root is bleached before it’s packaged, so if you can find raw or fresh packaged with minimal processing, that is preferable.

Fresh, raw root: Check in the root vegetable area of the produce section. Here’s a picture of what you are looking for on Wikipedia.

Fresh packaged lotus root: Often in the produce section or refrigerated aisle, you will find the lotus root often packaged along with liquid (water). A fresh poached package of lotus root is what I used for the recipe above. If you can’t find poached lotus root, you can use the directions below to make your own.

Lotus root is also available frozen and dried, canned, or bottled.

[amzn]

Poaching your own lotus root

Peel the lotus root with a vegetable peeler, and slice into pieces that are about 1/4 of an inch wide or less.

Bring salted water with about a 1/2 tsp of vinegar to a slow boil. Add lotus root slices and simmer for about 5 minutes. Let the vinegar water cool, and store the lotus root in the liquid in the fridge.

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Jen deHaan

Owner at Plant Based Recipe

Jen is a plant-based nutrition enthusiast and vegan living in British Columbia, Canada. She has over 20 years experience in software, graphics, and art, including many years in Silicon Valley corporations. Jen completed the Developing Healthy Communities graduate program at Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Jen really likes dogs and dancing too.

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About Post Author

Jen deHaan

Jen is a plant-based nutrition enthusiast and vegan living in British Columbia, Canada. She has over 20 years experience in software, graphics, and art, including many years in Silicon Valley corporations. Jen completed the Developing Healthy Communities graduate program at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Jen really likes dogs and dancing too.

See author's posts

About Jen deHaan

Jen is a plant-based nutrition enthusiast and vegan living in British Columbia, Canada. She has over 20 years experience in software, graphics, and art, including many years in Silicon Valley corporations. Jen completed the Developing Healthy Communities graduate program at Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Jen really likes dogs and dancing too.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jamie

    Baked sesame ginger lotus root: Healthy side dish * Plant Based Recipes: Easy Oil Free Vegan Recipes (13)
    This was delicious! I added in a little toasted sesame oil and soy sauce to the initial coating of ginger and tahini. I also used sliced frozen lotus root instead. I made a dipping sauce of soy sauce and a few dashes of yuzu kocho hot sauce.

    Reply

    • Jen @ Plant Based Recipe

      I’m so happy that you liked it! That dipping sauce sounds perfect 🙂

      Reply

  2. Angie

    The instructions say to mix the ginger and sesame oil together but there’s no sesame oil in the ingredients. Tahini is listed in the ingredients and noted in the Notes section but it’s not included in the instructions. I used the ginger and sesame oil mix and it tasted great!

    Reply

    • Jen @ Plant Based Recipe

      Thanks Angie! Yes I updated the recipe when I went oil free to use sesame paste instead of the oil, but missed that bit. Thanks for noting the instruction bug! I also now add a bit of sesame flavor extract too. But yes if you use oil, it adds a great flavor 🙂

      Reply

  3. JM

    Baked sesame ginger lotus root: Healthy side dish * Plant Based Recipes: Easy Oil Free Vegan Recipes (14)
    Delicious!

    Reply

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Baked sesame ginger lotus root: Healthy side dish * Plant Based Recipes: Easy Oil Free Vegan Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Baked sesame ginger lotus root: Healthy side dish * Plant Based Recipes: Easy Oil Free Vegan Recipes? ›

Yes! It boasts a range of vitamins and minerals, including high amounts of vitamin C, copper and B vitamins. It's also rich in fiber and low in calories, so it can aid weight loss and keep you satiated. Lotus root is part of the lotus plant that grows in muddy waters.

Is lotus root good for weight loss? ›

Yes! It boasts a range of vitamins and minerals, including high amounts of vitamin C, copper and B vitamins. It's also rich in fiber and low in calories, so it can aid weight loss and keep you satiated. Lotus root is part of the lotus plant that grows in muddy waters.

What is lotus root in Chinese food? ›

Lotus root has a dense and crunchy texture, making it perfect for stir fry recipes; while its mild, sweet and nutty taste compliments the range of herbs, spices and flavourings used in Chinese cooking very well. However, taste isn't the only reason lotus root stir fry is a widely eaten meal across China.

Is lotus root good for diabetes? ›

Yes, people with diabetes can eat lotus root as its high dietary fibre content delays the absorption of sugar in the body via reducing carbohydrate digestion. As a result, lotus root is an excellent diabetic snack.

What is lotus root made of? ›

Lotus root is the edible rhizome (the subterranean stem) of the lotus plant, a perennial aquatic plant that grows beautiful pink-hued or white flowers. Native to Asia, Australia, New Guinea and parts of the Middle east, lotus plants grow in the mud of shallow ponds, marshes, lagoons, and flooded fields.

Who should avoid lotus root? ›

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lotus is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Surgery: Lotus might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.

What are the side effects of lotus root? ›

Here are a few possible side effects of lotus root: 1. Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to lotus root. If you are allergic to other root vegetables or have a known allergy to lotus root, consuming it may lead to symptoms such as itching, swelling, hives, or even anaphylaxis in severe cases.

Is lotus root good or bad for you? ›

Lotus root is a healthy source of carbohydrates and fiber that is low in fat and sugar. Lotus root contains several essential vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, calcium, copper, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and iron.

Why can't you eat lotus root raw? ›

Mature lotus root has a sort of slightly bitter or tannic quality, so should not be eaten raw. (Apparently young lotus roots can be eaten raw, but I've never encountered them unfortunately.) The bitter/tannic substance is most concentrated in the skin, so you should peel it. Inside, it's a light flesh color.

How do you know if lotus root is spoiled? ›

Look for mold or mildew.

Examine the root for signs of mold or mildew. Any dark green, black, gray or white growth on the outside of the root is an indication that it has spoiled. If your root has mold or mildew on it, you should discard it.

Which flower reduces diabetes? ›

The petals of dahlias contain three molecules that together may help people with prediabetes or diabetes control their blood sugar levels, according to new research. These molecules reduce brain inflammation, which in turn improves insulin function.

Is lotus root healthier than potato? ›

Lotus root is very similar to potatoes in texture when raw, but with a very different nutritional profile. It's typically higher in protein than potatoes and lower in calories and packed with nutrients too. If you're looking for a lighter alternative to potato chips, this one's for you!

What are 2 effects of eating lotus? ›

While there's limited research on the human health effects of consuming lotus, it's thought that these antioxidant compounds might protect against diseases that stem from oxidative stress. In particular, they may have anticancer effects, protect against Alzheimer's disease, and prevent liver damage ( 8 , 9 , 10 ).

Is lotus root a laxative? ›

Lotus root has good content of dietary fiber. This dietary fiber adds bulk to the stool and facilitates its easy expulsion from the body. This ensures that we do not suffer from ailments like diarrhea and constipation.

Why does lotus root turn black? ›

Sometimes, lotus root does turn purple or brown when exposed to air or when cooked. From many official scientific studies, it is due to the naturally occurring of high level of Polyphenols in lotus root oxidizing with the air when exposed. This is similar to apple and banana browning.

Is lotus root good for anxiety? ›

Lotus root has a significant content of B vitamins, especially B6. This vitamin is recommended in cases of stress and mental confusion, as it helps reduce stress and anxiety states.

What root is best for weight loss? ›

Turmeric

Most of its health benefits are attributed to the presence of curcumin, a chemical that has been studied extensively for its effects on everything from inflammation to weight loss.

How does lotus help you lose weight? ›

Excess weight in the body is due to adipocytes (fat cells). A study by Achike et al. in 2011 showed that lotus seeds may inhibit the formation of fat cells and reduce the weight of the fat tissues. In addition, polyphenols found in lotus seeds may improve the lipid profile in the body.

What is the most powerful herb for weight loss? ›

Ashwagandha is one of the best herbs that can help you lose weight with its antioxidant, anticonvulsant, and antibacterial properties.

Which herb is best for fast weight loss? ›

What herbs can aid in weight loss?
  • Cinnamon.
  • Fenugreek.
  • Ginger.
  • Ginseng.
  • Cayenne pepper.
  • Caralluma fimbriata.
  • Turmeric.
  • Gymnema sylvestre.
May 17, 2023

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