JAPANESE COLESLAW RECIPE WITH DAIKON AND CARROT

Since my son was diagnosed with asthma I've tried to research what kind of foods might help his asthma. A healthy and well balanced diet should definitely be part of his overall asthma treatment plan. However, I read various articles that mentioned the possible link between two Asian vegetables and the improvement of respiratory related illnesses such as asthma. These vegetables are lotus root (renkon in Japanese) and mooli (daikon in Japanese). They're part of the Japanese diet and recently have become available in the West. I buy these vegetables in my local Asian market and sometimes I can find them at my local farmer's market. It's worth mentioning that these vegetables not only aid respiratory related illnesses but also have an endless list of associated health benefits including anti cancerous properties.

Mooli - daikon

Lotus root - renkon

Daikon is a white radish that can be used for juices, salads, soups, stews etc. Here's a simple recipe of mine using daikon. 

JAPANESE COLESLAW WITH DAIKON AND CARROT

INGREDIENTS:

100g daikon (peeled and roughly grated)

100g carrot  (peeled and roughly grated)

2 tbsp mayo

1 tsp rice vinegar

1 tsp soya sauce

Salt and pepper (to season)

Black or white sesame seeds (to garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix the mayonnaise, rice vinegar and soya sauce in a large bowl.

2. Add the grated daikon and carrot and mix well.

3. Serve with sesame seeds sprinkled on top (optional)

NOTES:

- If you don't have rice vinegar and soya sauce at home just add mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice and salt & pepper instead. 

- Click on the links below to see my other lotus root recipes:

Sauteed lotus root and carrot
Lotus root and seaweed salad

Japanese Renkon & Wakame Salad - Lotus Root & Seaweed Salad

This is a refreshing and healthy salad that can be quickly prepared. You don't have to follow the exact ingredients listed below, use whatever you have in the fridge! 

Click here to see my last post on lotus root which has a brief note on the health benefits associated with lotus root and where it can be sourced.  

 
Ingredients:
300g renkon/ lotus root (peeled and cut into thin slices)
1 medium sized carrot (peeled and cut into julienne strips)
Half a large cucumber (remove seeds and cut into julienne strips)
1 tbsp dried wakame (seaweed)
1 tsp vinegar
2 tbsp mayo
1 tsp Japanese soya sauce
Salt & Pepper (to season)

Instructions:

1. Add 1 tsp of  vinegar and sliced lotus root to a mediun sized saucepan of boiling water and boil for 10 mins. 

2. Remove the lotus root from the water and set aside to cool on kitchen towel to remove excess water.

3. Place the dried wakame in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes. Then remove the wakame from the water and place on kitchen towel to remove the excess water. 

4. Place the cooled lotus root, wakame, carrots and cucumber in a large salad bowl.

5. Add 2 tbsp of mayo, 1 tsp of soya sauce and pepper. 

6. Mix well and serve chilled.

Tips:

After peeling lotus root it can quickly turn brown so soak it in water and vinegar if you're not going to use it immediately. 

Where can I find lotus root? 

In most Asian markets

What are the health benefits associated with lotus root?

Low in calories and high in dietary fibre, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, thiamim and riboflavin. 

 

Kinpira Renkon - Sautéed Lotus Root and Carrot

I decided to post this recipe because I'd love to see more people eating lotus root. Lotus root is very popular in Asia however most Irish people are not familiar with this vegetable. Although it's relatively difficult to find in supermarkets in Ireland many Asian markets have started to stock fresh lotus root. I bought this one in the Asian Market on Drury St in Dublin. 

Lotus root (renkon in Japanese) is a vegetable that has amazing health benefits. It's low in calories, aids digestion, increases energy levels, helps treat lung related illnesses such as asthma and lots more! Lotus root like other vegetables can be cooked in a variety of ways. In Japan it's often added to salads, soups, stews, fried dishes, tempura etc.

If you can't find lotus root for this recipe then try to replace it with another vegetable or seaweed to go along with the carrots and use the same seasoning to enjoy a traditional Japanese sautéed vegetable dish. 

Prep time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 15 mins

Ingredients:
1 tsp vegetable or rapeseed oil
1/2 tsp sesame oil
300g Lotus root (peeled and thinly sliced)
1 Carrot (peeled and thinly sliced into strips)
1 tbsp sake
1 tbsp soya sauce
11/2 tbsp mirin
1 tsp roasted sesame seeds (to garnish)

Instructions:

1. Place the lotus root in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes to get rid of the bitterness and the excess starch. 
2. Drain and dry in kitchen towel.
3. Heat the oils in a heavy-based saucepan or frying pan on high heat for a minute or so.
4. Turn the heat down to medium-high, add the lotus root and carrots and fry for about 10 minutes.
5. Pour the sake over the vegetables, stir and fry for about 1 minute.
6. Add the soya sauce and mirin, stir and fry for a few minutes.
7. Remove from the heat.

How to eat:

Serve as a side dish on a small plate with sesame seeds sprinkled over the dish.

Tips:

1. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and eat it the next day or a few days later (it tastes even better!!).

2. Make homemade lotus root chips using any leftover lotus root.

Why not:

Use the same seasoning but different vegetables if you can't source lotus root.