Kamal Kakdi /Lotus stem is an underwater root vegetable. It can grow up to a length of 4 feet. Lotus stem as the name suggests is the stem of the lotus flower whose scientific name is Nelumbo Nucifera.
Lotus stem can be eaten raw, stir-fried, steamed, braised, and sautéed and it is available throughout the year. The lotus flower is also used for many years in many Asian countries and represents purity, sexual innocence, and divine beauty. It is popularly used as a vegetable in India and is also used by many other Asian countries like Japan and China.
Lotus Stem Health Benefits
Lotus stem is rich in nutrients and has a lot of beneficial effects. It includes a reduction in cholesterol, improves digestion, helps to lower blood pressure, and acts as an immunity booster. Lotus stem also helps to prevent some forms of cancer, balances your mood, helps to relieve depression, increases blood pressure, and also helps to maintain the proper enzymatic activity in your body.
Lotus stem does not have any cholesterol and is very low in calories. Lotus stem has a unique mixture of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients which are very beneficial for our body. The minerals present in lotus stem are potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, and manganese and vitamins like thiamin, pantothenic acid, zinc, vitamin B6 and Vitamin C. Lotus stem also have good quantities of dietary fiber and protein.
A 100-gram serving of lotus stem, which is slightly less than one root, contains 74 calories with zero cholesterol or fat, 3g of protein, and 17g of carbohydrates, including 5g of fiber. Isn’t it so incredible?
Culinary Uses of Lotus Stem
You can find fresh lotus stem for sale throughout most of the year. The fresh lotus stem appears simply as an unremarkable object, long and with a woody texture. Lotus stem can be easily prepared by slicing it into pieces of the desired shape and size. The unique shape of the lotus stem exhibits several holes in the middle, making it appear rather ornamental and adding great visual beauty and appeal to a dish.
After slicing, you can add it to soups, stir-fries, or many other dishes. It can be deep-fried, boiled, braised, pickled, or used as a garnish and flavoring for salads, snacks, and rice. Powdered lotus stem is also sold as herbal medicine. Boil lotus stem for 10 minutes and then eat them to receive a healthy dose of nutrients.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Level: intermediate
Serving: 2
Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Lotus stem/Kamal kakdi – 250 gm
- Mint, chopped – 2 teaspoon
- Coriander leaves, chopped – 1 teaspoon
- Ginger chopped – 1 teaspoon
- Green chili chopped – 1 teaspoon
- Onion chopped – 2 teaspoon
- Garlic chopped – 2 teaspoon
- Pathar ke phool – few leaves
- Salt – to taste
- Peanuts – 2 teaspoon
- Saunf Powder – 1 teaspoon
- Garam Masala powder – a pinch
- Cinnamon Sticks, 1” size – 1 no
- Refined oil – for frying
- Roasted Chana – 1 teaspoon
- Kashmiri mirch powder – 2 teaspoon
Method
- Peel, wash, and trim the lotus stem. Make 16, 2-1/2” slices and chop the remaining lotus stem.
- Heat water in a pan; add pathar ke phool, salt, green chili, and coriander roots. Boil the lotus stem slices.
- Heat oil in a pan, add onion and garlic, add lotus stem. Seasoned with salt, kashmiri mirch powder, garam masla, cinnamon powder, crushed peanuts, saunf powder, chopped green chili, mint, and ginger.
- Add roasted chana powder, and mix. Put the filling in between the slices and dry the kebab. Remove the excess oil by keeping it on a kitchen towel.
- Serve hot Nadru kebab with mint chutney.
