Lotus Leaf Rice

Experience the authentic flavors of Chinese cuisine with Lotus Leaf Rice, a fragrant and savory dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. This traditional recipe features glutinous rice infused with the rich taste of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine, complemented by tender chicken, aromatic dried shiitake mushrooms, sweet Chinese sausage, and buttery chestnuts. Wrapped in softened lotus leaves, the parcels are steamed to perfection, imparting a delicate, earthy aroma that elevates every bite. Perfect for special occasions or a comforting weeknight treat, this dish is a true celebration of flavor and texture. Serve it fresh from the leaf for a memorable, restaurant-quality presentation right at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:70 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 large Lotus leaves
• 2 cups Glutinous rice
• 200 grams Chicken thigh, boneless and skinless
• 1 link Chinese sausage
• 4 pieces Dried shiitake mushrooms
• 8 pieces Cooked chestnuts
• 3 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 2 stalks Green onions, chopped
• 2 cups Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon White pepper

Directions

Step 1

Begin by soaking the dried lotus leaves in warm water for about 30 minutes until softened. Rinse under cold water to remove any impurities, then drain and set aside.

Step 2

Rinse the glutinous rice under cold water several times until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in fresh water for at least 1 hour. Drain before cooking.

Step 3

In a bowl, soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water for 20 minutes until softened. Squeeze out excess water, remove stems, and slice thinly. Reserve the soaking liquid.

Step 4

Cut the chicken thigh into small, bite-sized pieces. Slice the Chinese sausage thinly and set aside.

Step 5

In a large wok or skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and stir-fry for about 4 minutes until browned and cooked through.

Step 6

Add Chinese sausage and shiitake mushrooms to the wok, and continue to stir-fry for another 2 minutes.

Step 7

Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, sugar, and the reserved mushroom soaking liquid (be sure to discard any sediment) to the wok. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.

Step 8

In a pot, add the drained glutinous rice, 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, salt, and white pepper. Stir to combine, and cook the rice as you would normally (about 25 minutes) until the rice is almost cooked but still slightly firm.

Step 9

Mix the cooked rice thoroughly with the chicken and sausage mixture. Stir in the cooked chestnuts and the chopped green onions.

Step 10

Cut each softened lotus leaf in half. Lay a portion of the mixed rice in the center of each leaf half, fold the sides over the rice, and wrap it securely, forming a parcel.

Step 11

Prepare a steamer and bring the water to a boil. Place the lotus leaf packages in the steamer basket and steam over boiling water for 30 minutes.

Step 12

Once cooled slightly, carefully unwrap the lotus leaf packages and serve the fragrant, flavorful rice directly from the leaf.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1584.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1946.6

Total Fat 96.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.0g
Cholesterol 313mg	0%
Sodium 6189.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 182.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.0g	0%
Total Sugars 20.1g
Protein 90.7g	0%

Vitamin D 616IU	0%
Calcium 169.5mg	0%
Iron 7.5mg	0%
Potassium 2263.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.3%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 37.2%