In the hot summer, people tend to feel heavy and tired, which is often associated with damp heat and toxin accumulation in the body. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that in summer, we should follow nature and choose foods that are cool, diuretic, and digestive to regulate the body.
Among the many summer ingredients, melon food has become a good product for summer heat relief due to its unique sweetness and high moisture content.
1. Loofah
Loofah is rich in fiber, which helps to promote gastrointestinal motility, detoxify and nourish the skin, and treat diseases such as anemia and diarrhea. Luffa also has the effects of lowering blood lipids, preventing constipation, clearing heat and detoxifying, diuretic and lactation, and has the effect of adjuvant treatment for obesity, acne and edema.
Here's how to make a steamed loofah dish for all ages, perfect for home.
Recommended delicacy - steamed loofah
Ingredients: 1 loofah, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt.
Method: Wash and peel the loofah and cut it into thin slices. Spread a layer of loofah slices on a steaming tray and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and minced garlic. Continue to spread a layer of loofah slices, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and minced garlic, and so on until all the loofah slices are covered.
Add an appropriate amount of water to the steamer, put the steaming tray into the pot after boiling, cover and start steaming. Steam for about 10~15 minutes, take out the steamed loofah, and drizzle with an appropriate amount of soy sauce and sesame oil. On the steaming tray you can sprinkle a small amount of chopped green onions, minced ginger or chili rings to add flavor.
The steaming time can be adjusted according to the thickness of the loofah slices to ensure that they are steamed.
2. Bitter gourd
Although bitter gourd is not loved by the masses because of its bitter taste, it is one of the most desirable ingredients in summer. Bitter gourd has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, diuresis and swelling, which can help us to reduce heat and fire.
Recommended delicacy - cold bitter gourd
In the high temperature season of summer, cold bitter gourd is a very suitable summer delicacy.
Ingredients: bitter gourd (1 root), minced garlic, minced ginger, salt, sugar, balsamic vinegar, sesame oil.
Method: Peel the bitter gourd, remove the seeds, wash it and cut it into thin slices or thin strips, and put it in a bowl for later use.
In a separate container, add an appropriate amount of minced garlic, ginger, salt, sugar, balsamic vinegar and sesame oil and stir well to make the sauce.
Pour the sauce over the bitter gourd and stir well so that the bitter gourd is evenly coated with the sauce.
Put the mixed bitter gourd in the refrigerator for a while to make it cooler and more delicious. After taking it out, you can enjoy the refreshing cold bitter gourd.
This bitter gourd salad not only has a refreshing taste, but also helps regulate body temperature, relieve heat and heat, making it the best delicacy in summer.
3. Winter melon
Known as the "first melon of summer", winter melon is known for being light, juicy, and nutritious.
Winter melon is a low-calorie, high-nutrient, high-moisture ingredient, which is an excellent choice for cooling and detoxification in summer. Regular consumption of winter melon can replenish water for the body, clear heat and detoxify, reduce fat and promote weight loss, while also providing rich potassium, relieving fatigue and enhancing heart and kidney function.
Recommended delicacy - winter melon cup
Ingredients: 1 winter melon, 2 dried abalone, 50 grams of shredded chicken, 50 grams of shrimp, appropriate amount of straw mushrooms, green onions, ginger, coriander, salt, monosodium glutamate, cooking wine, light soy sauce, clear soup, appropriate amount of cooking oil.
Method: Peel and seed the melon, leaving an inner wall about 1.5 cm thick, and cut the melon into four cubes of the same size. Cut off a small piece at the bottom and side of the melon cube to make sure the pot is stable on the plate.
Blanch the melon cup in hot water for 3 minutes, then remove and set aside. Marinate the shredded chicken with salt, cooking wine and light soy sauce for 10 minutes, slice the straw mushrooms, and soak the dried abalone until soft.
Heat an appropriate amount of cooking oil in a pot, add green onion and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, then add the marinated shredded chicken, straw mushrooms and shrimp in turn to stir-fry.
Add the clear broth, wait for it to boil, add the soaked dried abalone, season and cook for 3 minutes to make the filling. Fill the filling into the winter melon cup, add an appropriate amount of salt and monosodium glutamate, and steam for 10 minutes. Remove and sprinkle with chopped coriander and enjoy.
This winter melon cup is delicious and refreshing, and is a summer delicacy.