How to eat lilies for the most health benefits: A complete guide to common lily cooking methods.

Common Lily Bulb Recipes

As a health product that is both food and medicine, lilies not only have the effect of moistening the lungs and stopping coughs but also conquer countless food lovers with their sweet and soft texture. What kind of homey delicacies can this white and jade-like bulb plant transform into? Let's unlock the health code of lilies through four classic cooking methods.

One, Steamed Lily Bulbs

Original Flavor Health Choice

Select plump fresh lily bulbs, remove the outer impurities, separate each petal, and soak in clear water for 20 minutes to remove the slight bitterness while retaining the nutrients. Steam over boiling water for 8 minutes, and when the lid is opened, the crystal-clear lily petals are filled with a natural fragrance. It can be eaten with honey or osmanthus honey, especially suitable for drying throat in dry seasons.

Two, Stir-fried Lily Bulbs

Nutritional Gold Combination

Combine lily bulbs with celery and black fungus to form the "dietary fiber trio," paired with fresh shrimp rich in astaxanthin. Note during the preparation of ingredients: blanch the lily bulbs for 30 seconds to keep them crisp and tender, and marinate the shrimp with egg white for a smoother texture. First, sauté garlic slices in a hot pan with cold oil, then add carrot slices and celery segments, stir-fry quickly, and finally add lily bulbs and shrimp, and drizzle with a little oyster sauce before serving.

Three, Nourishing Sweet Soup

Four Seasons Health Product

Snow pear and lily bulb silver ear soup requires mastery of three keys: soak the silver ear in cold water for 2 hours in advance to easily release the gel, add the lily bulbs in two batches (put half in during the boiling and the other half 10 minutes before turning off the heat), and cut the snow pear with the skin for better heat-clearing effects. It is recommended to use a slow cooker to simmer over low heat for 1.5 hours, then add wolfberries and let them steep for 5 minutes before serving. This soup is warming and moisturizing for the body during autumn and winter.

Four, Health Porridge

Breakfast Preferred Combination

There are two ways to make lily bulb porridge: the basic version boils glutinous rice and lily bulbs in a 5:1 ratio; the upgraded version can add莲子 (lotus seeds) and芡实 (fox nuts) to form the "three treasures for soothing the mind." The secret lies in the rice-water ratio of 1:8, boiling over low heat for 40 minutes after boiling, and adding fresh lily bulb petals in the last 10 minutes. This ensures the porridge is creamy while maintaining the intact shape of the lily bulbs.

From the steaming method that brings out the natural sweet taste to the nutritious stir-fry combinations, from the nourishing sweet soup that moistens the body and mind to the soothing porridge that warms the stomach and calms the spirit, lilies interpret the wisdom of Chinese food therapy with their versatile forms. Master these home recipes and let the white spirit on the table safeguard the health of the whole family.