This the perfect season to buy and experiment with litchis. here are some innovative recipes you can try at home.
Lychee (Litchi chinensis) is a delicious and juicy fruit. Botanically it belongs to Sapindaceae family. The translucent, flavoured aril or edible flesh of the lychee is popular as a table fruit in India, while in China and Japan it is preferred either dried or canned. Lychee orignated from southern China, particularly the provinces of Kwangtung and Fukien. The spread of lychee to other parts of the world was rather slow due to its soil, climatic requirements and the short life span of it’s seed. Lychees reached India through Myanmar and the North East region during the 18th Century. India is the second largest producer of lychees in the world after China. Other major producing countries are Thailand, Australia, South Africa, Madagascar and Florida in US.
Lychee is a small fruit with a sweet smell, taste and packed with healthy nutrients. It is available mostly this season. It has rough skin on the outside while it contains a juicy flesh inside. It is also used as medicine in China.
Why is the Lychee fruit is healthy?
Lychee contains a good amount of antioxidant vitamin C, vitamin B-complex and phytonutrient flavonoids. Lychee is a rich source of nutrients that is required for the production of blood. It provides manganese, magnesium, copper, iron and folate that are required for the formation of RBC’s. Lychee contains healthy fiber which not only increases metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrate but also suppresses appetite. Lychee also offers a high amount of antioxidants which is effective in preventing early ageing.
Lychee also contains a good amount of potassium which is required to maintain the sodium and fluid level (balance electrolyte) in the body. Thus it helps to maintain high blood pressure and it reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Antioxidants are effective to protect the body from free radicals and oxidative stress. So it protects from degenerative disease and prevents arthritis.
Lychee is also effective to protect the body from asthma. The dietary fiber found in the furit is considered as one of the best nutrients that promotes cardiovascular health.
LyCHee REDEFINED with BERRIES AND ROSE COULIS
Ingredients
FOR THE COULIS
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE COULIS
FOR THE ASSEMBLY
In a plate put the dessert in the middle, garnish with fresh berries, pour the coulis separately
LITCHI AND SEAFOOD Ceviche
For 4 people
Ingredients
INSTRUCTIONS
Place diced grouper, boiled shrimps in a glass bowl and cover it with 3/4 of the lemon juice and the lychees juice. Refrigerate for at least an hour. Strain when ready to use
Mix the diced litchi and the other vegetables with the remaining lemon juice. Stir in the marinated seafood.
Add olive oil, salt and pepper, chopped cilantro and the chilli paste.
Gently toss and serve in a glass dish garnished with litchi and tortilla chips
KATHAL and lychee BIRYANI with lychee RAITA
INGREDIENTS FOR THE RICE
FOR THE MASALA
FOR THE GARNISH
FOR THE RAITA
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE RICE
FOR THE MASALA
FOR THE RAITA
ASSEMBLING THE BIRYANI