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Yeongeun jorim
Soy-braised lotus root
Yeongeun jorim (연근조림): sticky soy-braised lotus root
Yeongeun jorim is a winter banchan from the lotus ponds of South Jeolla, where Muan county is famous for its lotus fields, and it is now made in homes all over Korea for lunchboxes and holiday tables. Slices of lotus root are blanched in vinegared water, then simmered in soy and syrup until they turn dark, glossy and chewy with a lingering crunch. The holes make every slice look like lace. The common mistake is skipping the vinegar blanch, which leaves the slices grey and starchy. Chef's tip: stop cooking while there are still a couple of spoonfuls of sauce in the pan; the glaze thickens as it cools and turns sticky rather than hard.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 14 oz lotus rootpeeled and sliced 5 mm thick
- 1 tbsp rice vinegarfor blanching
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 ½ tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp rice syrup or golden syrup
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Drop 14 oz lotus root into cold water as you slice it so it doesn't brown.
Step 2: Bring a pot of water to the boil with 1 tbsp rice vinegar, add the lotus root and boil for 4 minutes, until it turns pale and loses its raw edge. Drain and rinse.
5 minStep 3: Heat 1 tbsp neutral oil in a wide pan over a medium heat and stir the slices for 2 minutes.
2 minStep 4: Add 1 ¼ cups water, 4 tbsp soy sauce and 1 ½ tbsp brown sugar, bring to a simmer and cook uncovered, turning the slices now and then, until the liquid has reduced by two-thirds and the slices are light brown.
20 minStep 5: Add 3 tbsp rice syrup or golden syrup and keep cooking, stirring often, until the sauce is thick and bubbly and the slices are dark and shiny.
7 minStep 6: Off the heat, add 1 tsp toasted sesame oil and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and toss. Cool; keeps a week in the fridge.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 24 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does yeongeun jorim take?
- About 50 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of rice vinegar?
- Cider vinegar with a pinch of sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
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