LYCHEE WITH LIME AND BASIL
Celebrate the essence of Asia and the Mediterranean in one delicious fruit soup with lychee, lime and basil.
Lychee with Lime and Basil: A Refreshing and Sophisticated Delight
In my easy-peasy repertoire of recipes, there is one that stands out as a real crowd-pleaser: lychee with lime and basil. This fruit salad, known as “nage” in French, is so easy to make that I have lost count of how many times I have prepared it. But do not let the simplicity of this recipe fool you. Its combination of sweet and tangy flavours, complemented by the herbaceous aroma of basil, make it a succulent delight that will surprise and impress your guests.
A Brief History of Lychee
Lychee, also known as litchi, is a fruit native to China, where it has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. It was considered a delicacy by the Chinese imperial court, and its cultivation was restricted to the royal gardens for centuries. Lychee made its way to Europe and the United States in the 19th century, and it quickly became popular among the aristocracy and the wealthy. Today, lychee is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and South America, and it is enjoyed by people of all walks of life.
The Art of “Nage”
The term “nage” comes from the French word “nager,” which means “to swim.” In culinary terms, “nage” refers to a broth or a sauce in which food is poached or cooked. In the case of our lychee salad, the fruits are gently poached in a delicate syrup made with lime juice, sugar, and water. This technique infuses the fruits with the flavors of the syrup, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy notes.
The Perfect Pairing of Lime and Basil
The lime and basil in this recipe add a zesty and herbaceous dimension to the lychee’s sweetness. Lime is a citrus fruit that is widely used in cooking and bartending, thanks to its acidity and aroma. Its juice is a key ingredient in many cocktails and marinades, and it is often used to balance the sweetness of desserts and fruits. Basil, on the other hand, is an aromatic herb that is widely used in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. Its sweet and slightly peppery flavour pairs well with fruits, salads, and pasta dishes. When combined with lime and lychee, basil adds a subtle freshness and a touch of elegance to the dish.
So next time you are in the mood for something sweet and tangy, try this easy-peasy fruit soup and let your taste buds swim in the delicate nage, lovely isn’t it?
Easy-to-make fruit salads
You may wish to try these 2 summertime delight :
A gorgeous amaretto fruit salad or what about a fruit salad with orange blossom and meringue ?
Bonne dégustation !
Sixtine ;)
LYCHEE WITH LIME AND BASIL
Ingredients
- 400 g fresh or canned lychees pitted
- 2 limes juice and zest
- 50 g brown caster sugar
- 12 fresh basil leaves chopped
- 30 cl water
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring to the boil the water with the sugar, lime juice and basil.
- Leave the syrup to cool down and set aside in the fridge.
- Put the lychees in a large bowl.
- Sieve the syrup and pour in over the lychees.
- Sprinkle with lime zest.
- Best served chilled!
