Lotus-Seed Broth

The large white lotus blossoms, veined with red at their tips, are to my mind the most beautiful, and the most useful, of all flowers. It’s breathtaking to see those majestic spreading petals above the broad leaves on the water, and their delicate fragrance makes the summer air heady. Besides being a regal ornament in itself, the plant is a gastronomic delight. The roots, linked tubers with hollow tunnels inside, are juicy and crisp when young and fresh. They are eaten raw as a fruit, simme