This “moisturizing and beautifying” soup should be consumed more often, it is sweet and fresh, good for the brain and heart, and particularly beneficial for boosting immunity.
After the minor heat is over, the dog days of summer begin, which is the hottest time of the summer. It’s important to have a healthy diet during this time, and soup dishes that clear heat and fire are essential. After all, summer weather is very dry, especially in the southern regions where rice is a staple food, so drinking soup is crucial in summer. If you don’t drink soup, it can be really hard to swallow, especially after the minor heat, transitioning into the dog days, which is the hottest period of the year. During this time, people are more likely to feel irritable and lose their appetite. In fact, this is when we need to consume soups and liquids more often and avoid greasy foods. Due to the hot weather in summer, our bodies are more prone to dehydration, so having soup is a must.
In every season, cooking soup involves using seasonal vegetables. Generally, seasonal vegetables are the most delicious. So, what kinds of vegetables should we use in summer? Summer is the season for luffa, so luffa can be used to cook some dishes in the summer. Luffa is highly nutritious, it can moisturize the skin, improve immunity, clear heat, and strengthen the brain and heart, so it’s good to consume it regularly. Fresh seasonal vegetables are much tastier than out-of-season vegetables, so in summer, you can cook luffa soup, which not only helps to cool down and promote diuresis but also contains rich proteins and vitamins. Therefore, in summer, it’s beneficial to eat more luffa. Today, I’m going to introduce the recipe for luffa and pork slices soup. This soup not only provides essential nutrition for the body but also helps to clear heat and fire, making it truly beneficial.
【Ingredients】
Luffa, pork tenderloin, winter melon, dried shrimp, ginger, scallion, garlic, ground pepper, chicken essence, light soy sauce, cooking wine, edible salt, cooking oil, starch
【Instructions】
1. Peel the luffa and cut it into thick slices, peel the winter melon and cut it into chunks, then finely shred the ginger, scallion, and garlic.
2. Slice the pork tenderloin, then marinate it with cooking wine, light soy sauce, cooking oil, salt, ground pepper, and starch, mix well. This treatment will make the pork tender.
3. Heat oil in a pan but use less oil as summer dishes are better with lighter flavors. When the oil is about 60% hot, add the shredded scallion, ginger, and garlic, stir-fry briefly, then add the dried shrimp. Next, add an appropriate amount of water to the pan and bring it to a boil.
4. Once the water is boiling, add the winter melon and luffa, cover the pan, and simmer over high heat. When the soup turns white, add the pork tenderloin. When adding the pork, ensure high heat to cook the meat slices very tender.
5. Finally, season the soup with the prepared seasonings and then it’s ready to serve.
【Cooking Tips】
1. When preparing the pork tenderloin, be sure to add starch. Pork tenderloin with added starch will be extra tender as starch helps to retain moisture, resulting in tender meat without a dry texture. Whether cooking soup or stir-frying meat, adding some starch is beneficial.
2. The main reason for adding dried shrimp is to enhance the flavor. If you don’t have dried shrimp at home, you can also add some clam meat or dried shrimp.
