Lychees

Comet · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 76 Location: Australia

I have recently discovered a love of Lychees. They have such a lovely flavour and texture. Even tinned Lychees taste delicious and natural.
I've only had them in cocktails and other drinks, but would like to know if anyone cooks with them?

Therese · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:05 am Post subject:

Aside from cooking into sweet dishes (my favorite simple dessert is glutinous rice and red beans stewed together and topped with coconut milk and lychees), I often add lychee to pork or chicken dishes for my husband when they're in season. Typically I'll also use calamansi or lime and chilis with this as well.

Diced chicken stir-fried together with lychee, green peppers, scallions, and chilis is a dish I sometimes see in diners when it's lychee season. Smile

clotilde · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject:

Pastry chef Pierre Hermé's famous Ispahan dessert features a perfect match of flavors, pairing lychees with raspberries and rose flower. He's created many variations on that theme, which you should find if you look up his name and "Ispahan."
Clotilde.

Rachel · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 296 Location: Santa Barbara, CA

They make fabulous sorbet - can't think of a nicer ending to a spicy Asian meal.

clotilde · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 1:41 pm Post subject:

Rachel, would you perchance have a recipe to share for that lychee sorbet? Or have you had it at restaurants?
(I could flavor it with rose syrup and blend some raspberries in it for an Ispahan sorbet! Smile

)
Cheers,
Clotilde.

Rachel · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 296 Location: Santa Barbara, CA

Sorry Clotilde, I've only ever eaten it in restaurants. Sad

I don't imagine it would be too difficult to create a recipe on one's own, though - you'd just have to go easy on the sugar (the line between perfumed and cloying being a fine one!).

If you come up with a recipe for Ispahan sorbet, please share!