Entering the minor heat on July 15th, traditional Chinese medicine believes that the dog days are the period when the yang energy is at its peak, and it is also a good time for the body to expel dampness and toxins. However, due to the hot and humid climate, it is easy for the body to experience loss of appetite, indigestion, and other issues. Therefore, reasonable dietary adjustments are particularly important.
During the dog days, pumpkin is a vegetable that is very suitable for consumption. Pumpkin is not only sweet in taste, delicate in texture, but also rich in nutrients. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, which help enhance immunity, protect eyesight, and promote digestion. In addition, the polysaccharides in pumpkin also have various health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood sugar-lowering effects.
Pumpkin is rich in nutrients, a low-calorie, high-fiber food, making it very suitable as a healthy ingredient for the dog days. Here are some of the main nutritional benefits of pumpkin:
1. Supports the spleen and protects the liver: The vitamin A and carotene in pumpkin help protect the liver, promote liver cell regeneration, and improve liver function.
2. Moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements: Pumpkin is rich in dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis, prevent constipation, and improve digestive system health.
3. Boosts immunity: The vitamin C and zinc in pumpkin help strengthen immunity, prevent colds, and infections.
4. Antioxidant properties: The polysaccharides and carotenoids in pumpkin have strong antioxidant effects, can resist damage from free radicals, and delay aging.
Now, let’s learn how to make a delicious and healthy steamed pumpkin bun. This recipe not only allows you to enjoy the deliciousness of pumpkin but also provides rich nutrition.
Recommended recipe: Pumpkin Buns with Vegetarian Filling
Ingredients: 300g pumpkin, 100g carrots, some black fungus, 50g dried shrimp, 2 eggs, 500g flour, 5g yeast, appropriate amount of water, salt, cooking oil, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, some sesame oil.
Step One: Prepare the dough
1. Dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it stand for a few minutes.
2. Pour the flour into a large bowl, add the yeast water, mix well, then gradually add enough water to knead into a smooth dough.
3. Cover with a damp cloth and let the dough ferment in a warm place for about 1 hour until the dough doubles in size.
Step Two: Prepare the filling
1. Peel and deseed the pumpkin, grate it into fine shreds; wash the carrots, grate them into fine shreds; soak the black fungus and cut it into small pieces.
2. Rinse the dried shrimp with clean water and drain.
3. Beat the eggs, add a little salt, fry into an omelet, then cut into small pieces.
4. Place the pumpkin shreds, carrot shreds, black fungus, dried shrimp, and egg pieces in a large bowl, add some salt, light soy sauce, cooking oil, and sesame oil, mix well to make the filling.
Step Three: Wrap the buns
1. Take out the fermented dough, knead out the air, then divide it into several small dough portions.
2. Roll the small dough portions into round dough skins, wrap with the appropriate amount of filling, pinch to seal, and shape them into buns.
3. Place the filled buns in a steamer, cover with the lid, let them ferment again for 20 minutes.
Step Four: Steam the buns
1. Add an appropriate amount of water to the pot, bring to a boil, then place the steamer in the pot.
2. Cover with the lid, steam over high heat for about 15 minutes, then turn off the heat, let it sit for 5 minutes before uncovering.
Step Five: Enjoy the deliciousness
Remove the steamed pumpkin buns, let them cool slightly, and enjoy. These pumpkin buns are not only delicious but also rich in nutrition, making them perfect for the dog days.
These pumpkin buns are not only delicious, with a rich filling and a thin and tender skin, they are refreshing and not greasy. The sweetness of the pumpkin, the fragrance of the carrots, the crispness of the black fungus, combined with the fresh aroma of the dried shrimp and eggs give the entire bun a distinct layer of texture, greatly increasing your appetite.
Cooking tips:
1. Dough fermentation: Dough fermentation is crucial for making buns, the temperature and time should be well controlled. In summer, you can shorten the fermentation time, but be careful not to over ferment.
2. Filling preparation: Pumpkins and carrots have high water content, so when preparing the filling, pay attention to controlling the amount of salt to avoid excessive water affecting the texture of the buns.
3. Steaming time: The steaming time of the buns should be moderate. Steaming for too long will make the bun skin too soft, affecting the texture; steaming for too short may result in the filling being undercooked. Generally, after the steam rises, medium heat for about 15 minutes is sufficient.
In conclusion, these pumpkin buns not only satisfy your taste buds but also provide rich nutrition, making them perfect for the dog days. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this healthy and delicious pumpkin bun will bring you a refreshing and satisfying taste of summer.
