Sweet barley recipe with coix seeds, lotus seeds and red dates

This barley recipe contains coix seeds, lotus seeds and red dates and is a sweet chinese soupy dessert. It is a very light dessert, a gentle way to end a meal.

The barley here refers to chinese pearl barley or coix seeds, 薏仁 (yi mi), it is not really barley at all. It is a popular ingredient in chinese desserts.

薏仁 (yi mi) is diuretic, anti-swelling, pus-expelling and cooling. People with stiff and painful joints, rheumatism, warts and eczema may find it helpful. Frequently served to the elderly as a nourishing dessert.

A tub of chinese pearl barley. Photo credit: Phoebe Lim

100g chinese pearl barley
150g lotus seeds
10 red dates
1 tbsp sugar
8 cups water

1. Deseed the lotus seeds
2. Wash the lotus seeds and red dates
3. Wash the barley and soak for 1 hour
4. Bring the water to a boil and add the barley, lotus seeds and red dates
5. Bring to a boil and lower heat to a simmer till everything is cooked
6. Add sugar to taste

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This page has been edited and updated on 8 August 2013.

Thanks, Phoebe