Captivating culinary uses for luscious lychee
What's the story
Lychee, a tropical fruit prized for its sweetness and intoxicating aroma, holds a world of flavor waiting to be discovered. This article presents five unexpected ways to use lychee in your kitchen, demonstrating the versatility of this exotic ingredient. Whether you're sipping a cool drink or indulging in a velvety dessert, lychee brings a touch of the extraordinary to your culinary creations.
Refreshment
Lychee infused lemonade
A super easy and delicious way to enjoy lychees is by making a refreshing lychee lemonade. Simply blend peeled and pitted lychees until smooth, then strain the puree to get the sweet lychee juice. Combine this with fresh lemon juice, water, and sugar to your liking. Serve it cold for a perfect summer drink that combines the tartness of lemon with the sweet fragrance of lychee.
Appetizer
Tropical lychee salsa
Take your appetizer game to the next level with a refreshing lychee salsa. Perfect for a tropical twist! Finely chop fresh lychees, mangoes, red onions, and cilantro and combine in a bowl. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the mixture and season with salt and pepper. Serve this vibrant salsa with grilled fish or tortilla chips for a burst of sweet and tangy flavor.
Dessert
Lychee coconut rice pudding
If you're looking for a unique twist on classic rice pudding, try adding lychees to the mix. Simply simmer rice in coconut milk until tender and creamy. Stir in diced lychees towards the end of cooking, along with sugar and a pinch of salt. Top with toasted coconut flakes before serving warm or cold. This dessert pairs the creaminess of coconut milk with the fragrant sweetness of lychees.
Frozen treat
Lychee sorbet
A homemade lychee sorbet is a refreshing way to savor the natural sweetness of lychees in a frozen treat. Simply puree peeled and pitted lychees in a blender until smooth, then stir in simple syrup to taste. Freeze the mixture in an ice cream maker following the manufacturer's instructions, or simply set it in the freezer until firm. Enjoy this refreshing sorbet on hot summer days!
Main course
Spicy lychee curry
Lychees bring a surprisingly delicious twist to savory dishes like curry. Saute onions, garlic, ginger, and spices like cumin and coriander until fragrant. Add coconut milk and let it simmer. Add peeled, whole or halved lychees in the final minutes of cooking. They'll warm through while maintaining shape, adding a unique sweetness that perfectly balances the spicy flavors.