If you get lotus roots for the first time, you may have no idea how to actually cook them in the right way. They are however not as adventurous as they may seem. Start by washing them and then cutting off a small piece from both sides of the stems. After that you have to peel off the outer skin. Finally, you cut the lotus root into fine slices. If you have a slicer, you can use that, too.

Put the lotus root slices into a pot and then add water for boiling. There should be about a finger’s length of water above the lotus root for it to cook nicely. Put the lid on the pot and let it boil for about 45 minutes.

After this time you need to get one slice out to check whether it is soft. Once the lotus is fully cooked and is soft, so that you can smash it in between two fingers, you can switch off the stove. Don’t worry if there is still water in the pot – we will need that later.

Now you take a deep pan or a wok and heat up the oil. When it is hot, add mustard, cumin and fenugreek seeds and stir. Once these spices had the chance to develop their aroma, add the lotus root together with whatever water is left. Additionally you add the coriander, garam masala and turmeric as well as salt according to your taste into the pot and stir.

Now you don’t need to place a lid on the pot anymore. Stir from time to time and let the vegetable dish cook for about ten more minutes until all the water is evaporated.

What is left are the delicious lotus root slices in a tasty mixture of spices.

Enjoy!