Lucky Shrimp and Lotus Seeds

5 from 1 vote

Lucky Shrimp and Lotus Seeds is light, flavorful, crispy, crunchy, lucky Chinese stir fry that you can have on your table in 15 minutes flat. Preparing dried lotus seeds is optional.

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Lotus Seed Prep12

Total Time15

Course: Mains

Cuisine: Chinese

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings:

Calories: 158kcal

Author: HWC Magazine

Equipment

Instant Pot optional or pot to cook on stove top

Ingredients

Lotus Seeds (optional)

1 cup lotus seeds Cooked (optional - see directions and video below for Instant Pot (pressure cooker) or stove top directions.
water to soak lotus roots and to cook in pressure cooker

Lucky Shrimp Stir Fry

20 shrimp
(large, deveined and heads and tails off)
1 cup baby corns cut on a diagonal
½ cup peas
¼ onion
small peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
1 tablespoon cornstarch
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon chicken powder
(gluten free) or chicken bouillon - 1 teaspoon or to taste
1 teaspoon sesame oil
white pepper
to taste
1 tablespoon oil
lotus seeds soaked and cooked - optional (Dish is also delicious with fried cashews or peanuts as a topping)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Optional - Dried Lotus Seed Preparation

If you plan on topping with optional Lotus seeds, be sure to rinse and drain to remove any unwanted sediment, like you would with rice.
Soak dried lotus seeds in water for 30 minutes up to overnight for more even cooking. Then, check to see if there are any little green stems (lotus hearts) remaining. You can use a toothpick to remove the bitter green vein. (You can also remove any green stems remaining after they are done cooking but before serving as they are very bitter and cooling.)
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) directions: Place rinsed and soaked dried lotus seeds in the pressure cooker (instant pot) and cover with 2 inches of water. Set the pressure cooker on high and cook for 8 to 10 minutes for use in stir fries, soups, stews, curries, etc. The texture will be tender but still hold it's shape. (To make lotus paste for desserts pressure cook on high for 15 to 20 minutes. (Allow to naturally pressure release for 15 minutes and then carefully manually release pressure. Drain well.
Stove Top Directions: Placed rinsed and soaked dried lotus seeds in a medium pot with lid and cover with 3 inches of water. (3 inches of water because there is some evaporation of water as it cooks on the stove top) Depending on how long you soaked the lotus seeds, it will take 35 minutes to 45 + minutes to achieve a tender texture similar to a cooked garbanzo bean. Drain well.

Lucky Shrimp Stir Fry

Gather all your supplies and have everything chopped, cleaned and ready to go into the wok.
Make your Cornstarch slurry mixture: In a little cup, place ¼ cup warm water and mix in your gluten free chicken powder until dissolved. Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch, sesame oil and white pepper to taste and stir. Set aside.
In a wok or frying pan place olive oil and turn on burner to medium high heat. Add onions and garlic and stirfry until translucent.
Add the baby corn and add a splash of water (couple of tablespoons and then place a lid on to top to help steam for about 1-2 minutes) Take the lid off of the vegetable-do not over cook, just until firm aldente.
Add the shrimp and keep stirring until they turn slightly pink, then add your optional cooked lotus seeds and stir fry for a minute of 2 and then your cornstarch slurry mixture.
Add your peas and keep stirring until the mixture is light and has a silky broth. If broth is too thin add more diluted cornstarch and water. If mixture is too thick, add more water. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Set your lucky shrimp stir fry on to a serving platter and enjoy with steamed rice.

Video

Notes

Dried lotus seeds can be purchased at Asian grocery stores, specialty markets or even Amazon.

If you cannot find dried lotus seeds, this recipe is delicious without them too. Feel free to exchange with dried cashew nuts, if desired.

Nutritional content excludes Lotus Seeds. 1 cup of cooked Lotus seeds has 106 calories, 4.93 grams of protein, 20.63 grams of carbohydrates, 10 grams of fiber and 0.63 grams of fat.

Feel free to substitute vegetables but keep in mind to cut them all about the same size, cook the firmer veggies first and then add the quick cooking vegetables last.

Nutrition