Renkon hasamiyaki (Lotus root mince sandwich)

Renkon Hasamiyaki (Lotus Root Chicken Sandwich)

蓮根のはさみ焼き：シャキシャキ食感を楽しむ一品

What is Renkon Hasamiyaki?

“Renkon” means lotus root, “Hasami” means to sandwich, and “Yaki” means to grill or sear. This popular Japanese dish features juicy chicken meatballs sandwiched between thin slices of lotus root, pan-fried to perfection, and glazed with a tangy Amazu (sweet and sour) sauce.

The highlight of this dish is the unique, crispy texture of the lotus root, which contrasts beautifully with the tender, aromatic meat filling seasoned with ginger and shiso leaves.

---

Why We Love Lotus Root (Renkon)

Lotus root is a fascinating vegetable with a long history in Japanese cuisine:

• A Lucky Charm: Because of its natural holes, it is said to represent “seeing through to a bright future.” It’s a staple in celebratory meals.
• Beauty & Health: Packed with Vitamin C and dietary fiber, it’s excellent for skin health and digestion.
• Texture Wizard: Depending on how you cut or cook it, it can be crunchy, chewy, or even creamy when grated.
• Pro Tip: Lotus root discolors quickly once sliced. To keep it pearly white, soak the slices in water for a few minutes immediately after cutting. For uniform, thin slices (2mm), I highly recommend using a Kyocera ceramic slicer—it’s durable, sharp, and very affordable!

---

Ingredients (Serves 3～4)

• Lotus Root: 140g
• Minced Chicken: 230g
• Aromatics: 5 Green Shiso leaves (thinly stripped), 5g Ginger (minced)
• Meatball Binder: 1 Egg, 5g Potato starch
• Coating: 3 tbsp Wheat flour
• Cooking: 3g Oil, 50g Water
• Amazu Sauce (★):
  • 15g Sugar
  • 25g Grain vinegar
  • 30g Dark soy sauce
  • 30g Sake

---

How to Make

1. Prep the Lotus Root: Use a slicer to create 2mm thin rounds. Soak in water immediately to prevent browning, then pat dry.
2. Make the Filling: In a bowl, thoroughly knead the minced chicken, egg, shiso, ginger, and potato starch. To work efficiently, pre-roll the mixture into small balls.
3. Sandwich: Place a meatball between two lotus root slices. Press firmly so the meat fills the decorative holes—this helps the sandwich stay together!
4. Sear & Steam: Lightly coat both sides with flour. Heat oil in a pan and sear until golden brown. Flip, add 50g of water, cover, and steam-fry until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Glaze: Add the Amazu Sauce ingredients (★). Simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the lotus root with a beautiful shine.

Variation: These are also delicious deep-fried! If you try the fried version, a simple sprinkle of rock salt is all you need to highlight the natural sweetness of the lotus root.

---

English Version: Nutrition Facts

Here is the nutritional breakdown for the total recipe and per serving (when divided into 4 servings):

Nutrients	Total Recipe (4 servings)	Per Serving
Calories	688 kcal	172 kcal
Protein	59.6 g	14.9 g
Fat	16.8 g	4.2 g
Carbohydrates	67.2 g	16.8 g
Salt Equivalent	5.3 g	1.3 g

Nutritionist’s Comments

• High Protein & Low Calorie
  • Each serving provides approximately 15g of protein while keeping the calories under 200 kcal, making it an exceptionally healthy choice.
• Synergy with Vitamin C
  • The abundant Vitamin C in lotus root, when consumed with the protein from the chicken, aids in collagen production and helps maintain healthy skin.
• Sodium Control
  • By simmering the Amazu sauce until it thickens into a glossy glaze, you can achieve a satisfying and rich flavor even with a lower amount of sodium.

れんこん #蓮根レシピ #おうちごはん #旬の野菜 #常備菜 #LotusRoot #JapaneseFood #HealthyRecipe #レンコン

---