Water chestnuts are a popular winter ingredient, known for their thin skin, crisp texture, and refreshing taste. Packed with calcium, phosphorus, iron, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, they not only provide essential nutrients but also hold significant medicinal value in traditional Chinese medicine. Frequently found in Chinese cuisine and supermarkets, water chestnuts can be enjoyed in a variety of ways at home.
How to Prepare Water Chestnuts at Home
Raw Consumption:
Peel and eat them like a fruit. Be sure to wash them thoroughly before consuming. You can eat them with or without the skin.
Cooked Dishes:
Water chestnuts have cooling properties, making them great for reducing heat and inflammation. They can be boiled, stir-fried, stewed, or canned, and are often used in traditional Chinese sweet treats.
Common Water Chestnut Recipes
Water Chestnut and Snow Pear Soup
A soothing drink that moisturizes the lungs and relieves cough.
- Ingredients: 30g water chestnuts, 100g snow pear, rock sugar
- Instructions: Peel and dice water chestnuts, wash and dice snow pear (with skin). Add all ingredients to a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes on low heat.
Water Chestnut Porridge
Perfect for relieving phlegm, aiding digestion, and quenching thirst—great for colds, coughs, or dry throats.
- Ingredients: 100g water chestnuts, 100g rice, rock sugar
- Instructions: Peel and dice water chestnuts, wash rice, and cook into porridge. When nearly done, add water chestnuts and rock sugar. Simmer until fully cooked.
Jellyfish and Water Chestnut Soup
A light, nourishing soup that moisturizes the lungs and clears phlegm.
- Ingredients: 100g water chestnuts, 50g jellyfish skin
- Instructions: Peel and slice water chestnuts, rinse jellyfish skin. Boil both together in water until tender.
Steamed Pork Patty with Water Chestnuts
A delicious and tender dish, perfect for home-cooked Chinese meals.
- Ingredients: 6 water chestnuts, 300g pork (half lean, half fat), Tianjin preserved vegetable, cilantro, cornstarch, chicken powder, salt
- Instructions: Mince pork, chop water chestnuts, and mix with seasonings. Shape into a patty and steam for 30 minutes. Garnish with cilantro before serving.
Braised Lamb Belly with Water Chestnuts
A warming dish that enhances flavor and texture with water chestnuts.
- Ingredients: 6 water chestnuts, 250g lamb belly, ginger, green onion, fermented bean curd, white wine, sugar, oil, salt
- Instructions: Smash water chestnuts, blanch lamb belly, and marinate with seasonings. Stir-fry with ginger and green onion, then braise with water chestnuts and fermented bean curd for 30 minutes.
Vegetarian Stir-Fry with Water Chestnuts
A colorful, nutrient-packed dish with a crunchy and flavorful mix of vegetables.
- Ingredients: 6 water chestnuts, 1 green bell pepper, 3 shiitake mushrooms, ½ carrot, starch water, black pepper, salt
- Instructions: Dice all ingredients and stir-fry in oil. Add water, cover, and cook until tender. Season with black pepper and salt, then thicken with starch water.
Water chestnuts are a versatile and nutritious ingredient, perfect for a variety of dishes. Whether raw, boiled, or stir-fried, they offer both health benefits and delicious flavors for your winter meals. Try these recipes to enjoy their unique taste at home!
