Entering the end of summer, the weather is still hot, but the footsteps of autumn are getting closer. At this time, our dietary habits need to be adjusted to lay a good foundation for the upcoming autumn. Eating less of certain fruits and consuming more fresh ingredients can not only help us better adapt to seasonal changes but also enhance our physical constitution and prevent common health issues in autumn.
1. Eat more fresh food
During the end of summer, we can take some measures to adapt to the seasonal changes, such as making adjustments to our diet by consuming delicious meat ingredients such as various freshwater fish, sea fish, and duck meat.
1. Eat fish
Fish meat is rich in nutrients, including fatty acids, proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which help maintain normal physiological functions. Fish meat is cool and appetizing, with a refreshing taste. You can choose species like crucian carp, catfish, yellow croaker, hairtail, and perch, and cook them by braising or steaming.
Recommended recipe: Braised Hairtail
1. Take 1 pound of hairtail, wash it with water, drain, make shallow cuts on both sides, cut into small pieces, slice scallions and ginger, mix with hairtail, add some Sichuan peppercorns, a spoon of salt, a large spoon of cooking wine, mix well, and marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare 200 grams of corn flour dough, cut into small strips and set aside.
3. Prepare a sauce by mixing two spoons of light soy sauce, a spoon of dark soy sauce, a spoon of oyster sauce, a spoon of cooking wine, half a spoon of sugar, a little chicken essence, and half a bowl of water.
4. After marinating the hairtail, pat dry the surface with kitchen paper towels. Then prepare two spoons of cornstarch, coat the hairtail, dust off excess powder.
5. Heat oil in a pan, enough for deep-frying, and fry the hairtail until well-cooked.
6. When frying the hairtail, do not flip it immediately. Shake the pan a few times until the fish sets, then turn it over gently to avoid breaking.
7. Fry in batches if necessary. Once the fish is golden on both sides, remove from the pan.
8. Leave some oil in the pan, add sliced green onions, ginger, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chili peppers. Stir-fry, then add in the hairtail and corn flour strips. Pour in the prepared sauce, cover and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add chopped green and red chili peppers, stir well, and cook until the sauce thickens.
9. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped green onions. Delicious braised hairtail is ready to serve.
2. Eat duck meat
Duck meat is high in protein and contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins B1 and B2. Duck meat is mild in nature, aiding in relieving heat and nourishing the body. Stewing or braising are excellent cooking methods for duck meat.
Recommended recipe: Beer Duck
1. Cut the duck meat into small pieces, blanch in hot water with 2 slices of ginger and 2 spoons of cooking wine to remove blood, then remove from heat.
2. Heat a wok, add half a spoon of vegetable oil, sauté star anise, ginger, scallions, and chili sauce for flavor. Add the duck meat, stir-fry, pour in a spoon of light soy sauce, a spoon of dark soy sauce, stir until the meat browns.
3. Pour in a can of beer to cover the duck meat, bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes.
4. When the beer is almost reduced, add spring onions, stir well, and remove from heat.
3. Eat luffa gourd
Luffa gourd is rich in dietary fiber, polyphenols, vitamin C, B, proteins, aiding in bowel movement, skin moisturization, and more. Luffa gourd prefers cooler climates and can be consumed from summer to autumn.
Recommended recipe: Luffa Gourd Soup
1. Soak a small handful of black fungus in warm water, clean it. Clean and break a box of white beech mushrooms into small pieces.
2. Peel 80g of green beans, blanch with black fungus in boiling water, drain.
3. Cut two luffa gourds, remove the ends, gently scrape the skin, cut into diamond-shaped pieces. Soak in water to avoid oxidation.
4. Boil water in a pot, add a spoon of salt and a spoon of cooking oil. Blanch the green beans and fungus for 1 minute, drain.
5. Heat oil in a wok, sauté ginger, garlic, then stir-fry ham.
6. Add luffa gourd, green beans, fungus, mushrooms, stir well.
7. Add a bowl of water, bring to a boil then simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
8. Season the soup with salt, chicken bouillon, a little light soy sauce, a dash of pepper, mix well, then garnish with goji berries before serving the luffa gourd soup.
2. Reduce consumption of 2 fruits
1. Longan – Longan is a warm fruit with high sugar content. Eating longan during the end of summer may lead to excessive internal heat. It is better to consume them after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
2. Mangosteen – Mangosteen is a cooling fruit. Consuming too much can cause stomach coldness due to its fiber content, leading to bloating issues. People with weaker gastrointestinal functions should reduce or avoid its consumption.
3. Pay attention to 2 things
1. Sun protection
Although autumn has arrived, the end of summer still has strong sunlight, especially during these 10 days. While mornings and evenings might be cool, UV rays are still intense. Therefore, remember to apply sun protection before going out to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.
2. Outdoor insect prevention
Even after the beginning of autumn, it will still be hot for a while, and mosquitoes will remain active. When going out, wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants to reduce the chances of mosquito bites. You can also carry mosquito repellants such as mosquito repellent lotion or citronella water for unexpected needs.
