Friday 20 March 2009

RECIPE: REFRESHING LONGAN DRINK


Nothing seems to pleasure my senses at the moment….but it is to be expected with my illness. However, thank god for small miracles, which in this instance, is this LONGAN drink. It is easy to make, refreshing and full of vitamin C. And the sugar helps to sustain your energy too when you are feeling weak. You can get dried LONGAN from most Oriental grocers in Canberra.


Ingredients

1 packet dried LONGAN (see my GLOSSARY post on LONGAN)
Sugar to taste (I used normal Palm (pale variety) and white sugar) – see my GLOSSARY post on PALM SUGAR)
Few slices of fresh ginger (optional)
1.5 to 2 litres water

Method

Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a pot. Add in the longan (and ginger) and simmer gently until the dried longan has re-hydrated.

Check the sweetness and leave to cool before refrigerating.

NOTE: Dried Longan has a distinctive taste and differs from fresh or tinned LONGAN (see my GLOSSARY post on LONGAN).

7 comments:

Adlak's tiny world said...

its new one to me..that glass of drink looks attractive.

VG said...

Thank you Hema. This drink is very refreshing and soothing and popular in Malaysia and Singapore.

Zue Murphy said...

VG, nice setting for the drink. I love longan drink. You reminded me of the longan stall at Petaling Street. It was the best longan I've ever tasted.

VG said...

Thanks Zue...if I am ever in KL near Petaling Street, I will ask the locals to point me to this vendor.

You can only get this in Thai or Malaysian restaurants here and they charge AUD$4 to 5 for a glass!!! Rip off...

hazila said...

Hi VG,
The drink is simple yet delicious.Hope you'll recover soon.

ICook4Fun said...

VG, the next time if you can find some winter melon at the asian store you can grate some in too. It taste even better :)

VG said...

Hi Hazila and thank you for your well wishes. I will come visiting soon.

Really Gert? I have to try it. When do you add the melon? During the cooking process or after?