By Alina @ TLY
Bird's nest with lotus seeds and lily bulb is a classic double-boiled dessert for the week around Mid-Autumn, pairing soaked nest with softened lotus seeds and dried lily bulb in a light rock sugar syrup. Here's how to make it, including a no-added-sugar version with monk fruit.
Key Takeaways
- If using fresh lotus seeds, remove the bitter green core before cooking; dried lotus seeds are usually sold with the core already removed.
- Dried lily bulb (百合 / bách hợp) is soaked briefly and separated into individual petals before it goes into the pot.
- Soak dry nest 4-6 hours or overnight, rinse gently, then double-boil about 40 minutes.
- Rock sugar is the standard sweetener; for a no-added-sugar version, swap in monk fruit sweetener to taste.
- A STANDARD SERVING of 3-5 g dry nest per bowl is right for this dessert.
What You'll Need
- 1 STANDARD SERVING (3-5 g) dry bird's nest per person, soaked and cleaned
- 2-3 tablespoons dried lotus seeds per bowl, soaked 1-2 hours, core removed if using fresh
- 1-2 tablespoons dried lily bulb per bowl, soaked briefly and separated into petals
- Rock sugar to taste, or monk fruit sweetener for a no-added-sugar version
- Water
- White porcelain double-boiling bowl with lid
Method
1. Prepare the lotus seeds and lily bulb
If using fresh lotus seeds, split each seed and remove the bitter green core before cooking; dried lotus seeds are usually sold with the core already removed. Soak dried lotus seeds 1-2 hours until they soften. Rinse the dried lily bulb briefly in cool water and gently separate it into individual petals, discarding any discolored pieces.
2. Soak and clean the nest
Soak the dry nest 4-6 hours or overnight in cool water until soft, then rinse gently and pick over for any stray feather or debris. Our soak-and-clean guide covers this step by step. Soaked nest expands 3-4x in volume compared to dry.
3. Double-boil the lotus seeds and lily bulb first
Place the soaked lotus seeds in a white porcelain bowl with water to cover, cover the bowl, and double-boil for about 20 minutes until tender. Add the lily bulb petals for the final 5 minutes so they keep some texture rather than turning mushy.
4. Add the nest and sweetener
Add the soaked bird's nest and rock sugar (or monk fruit sweetener) to the same bowl, and continue double-boiling for about 20 more minutes, for roughly 40 minutes of nest cooking time total. Keep the water at a gentle simmer throughout.
5. Serve
Ladle into individual white porcelain bowls and serve warm, with the lotus seeds and pale lily bulb petals visible throughout the clear syrup.
Timing
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Soaking dry nest | 4-6 hours, or overnight |
| Soaking dried lotus seeds | 1-2 hours |
| Double-boiling lotus seeds before nest and lily bulb are added | About 20 minutes |
| Double-boiling with nest and lily bulb added | About 20 more minutes |
Tips
For a no-added-sugar version, swap the rock sugar for monk fruit sweetener, added to taste at the same point in the method. Fresh lotus seeds give a firmer bite than dried ones, but either works; just make sure the bitter core is removed from fresh seeds before they go into the pot. Leftover cooked nest keeps 3-5 days refrigerated in a sealed container.
New to preparing bird's nest at home? See our soak-and-clean guide for the basics this recipe builds on.
Shop Blue Label, Red Label, and 5A bird's nest for this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to remove anything from the lotus seeds before cooking?
If using fresh lotus seeds, split each one and remove the bitter green core; dried lotus seeds are usually sold with the core already removed.
Can I use monk fruit instead of rock sugar?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener can replace rock sugar for a no-added-sugar version; add it to taste at the same point in the method.
Why are the lotus seeds double-boiled before the nest is added?
Lotus seeds need longer to soften than the nest does, so they're started first and the nest is added partway through so both finish tender at the same time.
How long does the finished dessert keep?
Cooked bird's nest keeps 3-5 days refrigerated in a sealed container; reheat gently before serving warm.
