In the dog days, men are advised, if money is not an issue, to eat more of these 4 kinds of “soft gold” to boost their physical strength and energy.
During the dog days, the body undergoes significant expenditure due to the extreme heat and intense sweating, leading to the loss of potassium, as well as various nutrients. The men in our homes are the pillars, nurturing their health to earn more money.
Therefore, it is suggested that men, during this period of the dog days, can spend a little money to eat more of these 4 kinds of “soft gold” if they can afford it. These have high nutritional value, much stronger than ordinary vegetables. Regular consumption leads to increased physical strength, more energy, better health, and a lighter work-life balance.
1. Eel
Eel is a nutritious and nourishing delicacy that men generally enjoy. It is rich in protein, calcium, dietary fiber, and other excellent nutrients, providing an uplifting effect when consumed regularly.
【Water-boiled Eel】
Ingredients: Eel, green onion, ginger, garlic, Sichuan peppercorn, onion, star anise, dried chili, water-boiled fish seasoning, cooking wine, cooking oil
1. Clean the eel, cut it into sections, wash off the surface mucus with flour, rinse with water, and prepare the green onion, ginger, garlic, Sichuan peppercorn, onion, star anise, and dried chili.
2. Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry the water-boiled fish seasoning until fragrant, then add ginger, garlic, onion, and star anise. After the aroma is released, add enough boiling water, bring to a boil, and add the eel to cook. Add some cooking wine to remove the fishy smell, cook for about 5 minutes, remove it to a bowl, sprinkle with green onion, garlic, Sichuan peppercorn, dried chili, pour hot oil over it, and it’s ready!
2. Oyster
Summer is the prime season for oysters, they are also a kind of “soft gold”. Eating more oysters provides more energy, making everything easier, and helps you sail through the dog days with ease.
【Garlic Roasted Oyster】
Ingredients: Oyster, garlic, bird’s eye chili, green onion, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, salt, sugar
Separate the oyster meat from the shell, wash them separately. Heat oil in a pan, sauté minced garlic and bird’s eye chili until fragrant, add oyster sauce, light soy sauce, salt, sugar, mix well, then pour the mixture onto the oyster meat. Put it in the oven at 200 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes, sprinkle with green onions when done and enjoy.
3. Chinese Yam
Chinese yam is good for tonifying the spleen, stomach, kidneys, and qi, as well as clearing heat in summer. It is also a nourishing delicacy. Although it may seem like an ordinary vegetable with an inexpensive price, regular consumption brings benefits.
【Red Bean Chinese Yam Cake】
Ingredients: Chinese yam 300g, red beans 40g, sugar 8g, water 100g
Soak the red beans for more than 3 hours, then peel and cut the Chinese yam into sections, steam for 15 minutes until soft. Boil the red beans in a pot with water for 20 minutes after boiling. Crush the cooked Chinese yam, boil sugar and water in a pot until thick, then add the red beans and mix well. Pour the red beans into the Chinese yam paste, mix well, press into a mold, and it’s ready to eat!
4. Crucian Carp
Eating more fish in summer also has its benefits. Crucian carp is nourishing and qi-enhancing, so men should eat more of it during the dog days to boost physical strength and energy.
【Egg and Radish Crucian Carp Soup】
Ingredients: Crucian carp, eggs, white radish, ginger slices, green onion, cooking wine, salt, white pepper
Clean the crucian carp, marinate with cooking wine for 15 minutes, shred the white radish, and prepare the ginger slices and green onion. Heat a little oil in a skillet, fry the egg to make a poached egg, remove it. Then fry the crucian carp until golden on both sides, add ginger slices to sauté, pour in enough water, bring to a boil, simmer on low heat for 20 minutes. Add the poached egg and radish, continue stewing for another 20 minutes, season with salt and white pepper, and it’s ready!
