Lai Chi Kang (Longan Dessert)
Lai Chi Kang is a traditional Chinese sweet dessert soup made with dried longans, candied winter melon, dates, pandan and white fungus. The Thermomix TM7 simmers the broth gently and evenly, so the longans turn plump and the fungus silky without constant stirring. A light, fragrant dessert served warm or chilled.
About this recipe
Lai Chi Kang with the Thermomix TM7 brings a beloved Cantonese dessert soup straight into your kitchen. If you have been searching for an authentic Asian dessert recipe for your all-in-one kitchen machine, this sweet longan broth is a wonderful discovery: dried longans, candied winter melon, red dates and white fungus simmer in a pandan-perfumed syrup until every element turns tender and fragrant. The TM7 heats the liquid evenly and stirs automatically, so the sugar dissolves completely and the delicate winter melon never scorches, a common problem on the hob. Optional lemon, basil seeds and malva nuts add refreshing brightness and texture. Serve it warm on a cool evening or well chilled in summer, making it a flexible dessert for dinner parties, weekend meal prep or a light family treat after an Asian main course.
Preparation tips
- Soak the white fungus in cold water until it fully expands and turns translucent, then trim the tough yellow core before adding it, so the Lai Chi Kang gets its signature soft, silky bite rather than a crunchy one.
- Tie the pandan leaves into a simple knot before adding them to the mixing bowl; this keeps the fibres together and makes them easy to remove once the longan broth has absorbed their floral aroma.
- For a clearer, lighter syrup, add the candied winter melon at the start but taste before adding extra sugar, as its sweetness varies by brand; the basil seeds and malva nuts are best soaked separately and added just before serving.
- Kid-friendly version: skip the malva nuts and basil seeds, which can be an unusual texture for children, and serve the Lai Chi Kang slightly warm with extra plump longans and a few extra dates for natural sweetness they will love.
Recipe variations
- Alcohol-free and lighter version: reduce the candied winter melon, skip the extra sugar and finish the Lai Chi Kang with a squeeze of fresh lemon, letting the dried longans and dates provide all the sweetness for a fresher taste.
- Festive winter variant: add fresh ginger slices and a strip of orange peel to the pandan broth and serve the Lai Chi Kang hot in small cups after a New Year dinner, with extra basil seeds for a glossy, celebratory texture.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Weighing the sugar and candied winter melon directly in the mixing bowl gives the Lai Chi Kang syrup perfectly balanced sweetness every time.
- Grinding the malva nuts coarsely before simmering releases their subtle flavour into the longan broth more quickly than whole nuts.
- Heating the pandan broth at a steady setting dissolves the sugar completely without scorching the delicate candied winter melon.
- Steaming is not needed here, but the TM7 simmers the white fungus until silky while you simply add the remaining ingredients.
- Mixing the basil seeds evenly through the finished Lai Chi Kang keeps every spoonful consistent without manual stirring.
Ingredients
- water
- pandan leaves
- candied winter melon
- brown sugar
- dried longans
- red dates
- white fungus
- lemon (optional)
- basil seeds (optional)
- malva nuts (optional)