Time passes like flowing water, in the blink of an eye, autumn has arrived. Autumn is a season of harvest but also a season prone to illnesses. Though the midday heat persists, mornings and evenings are gradually becoming cooler. The significant temperature difference catches our bodies off guard, making us susceptible to sickness with symptoms like colds, coughs, and inflammations. Therefore, in autumn, we must pay special attention to health care, bolster our immune system to effectively prevent diseases. Today, I want to introduce to you a miraculous herb – dandelion. It may seem insignificant, but it is rich in nutrients and medicinal value, earning the title of “natural antibiotic.” Let’s dive into its wonders together.
Dandelion is a common wild vegetable and a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is rich in nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and more. Among them, dandelion phytosterols are its primary active components, possessing antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Dandelion also serves to detoxify, clearing internal heat toxins, alleviating symptoms like fever, coughs, and sore throats. Additionally, it promotes white blood cell production, boosts the immune system, enhancing the body’s resistance. It forms a strong defense against cold viruses. Now, let’s share a delicious dandelion recipe and cook together.
【Stir-Fried Minced Pork and Tofu with Dandelion】
Ingredients: Dandelion, firm tofu, minced pork, minced garlic, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, ground pepper, salt, cooking oil
Preparing the Dandelion: Use freshly picked dandelions, remove wilted leaves, cut off the old roots. Soak them in water with a spoon of salt for 15 minutes, wash carefully to remove impurities and pesticide residues. Change the water several times, drain, and set aside.
Prepping the Tofu: Rinse and dice the firm tofu.
Handling the Pork: Wash the lean pork, chop into minced meat or use a meat grinder for convenience.
Preparing the Ingredients: Take a few cloves of garlic, crush, peel, and mince.
Seasoning Sauce: In a bowl, mix light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, 4 spoons of water, sugar, ground pepper thoroughly to blend the flavors.
Blanching Dandelion: Boil water in a pot, add a few drops of oil and a bit of salt. Blanch the dandelion for 10 seconds, remove, squeeze out excess water, and cut into small pieces.
Stir-Frying the Pork: Heat oil in a pan, add minced pork, stir until changed color, remove and set aside.
Stir-Frying the Tofu: In the same pan with sufficient oil, sauté minced garlic, add tofu cubes, gently stir to avoid breaking them, then pour in the seasoning sauce, continue stirring evenly. Cover and simmer for a while, monitor the sauce to prevent dryness.
Adding the Pork: When there is remaining sauce, add the cooked minced pork, stir fry and reduce the sauce.
Adding the Dandelion: When the sauce is still present, add the dandelion, quickly stir-fry evenly.
Completion: Stir fry until the sauce thickens, and all ingredients are infused with flavors, then serve.
Nutritional Value
Proteins: Tofu and minced pork are excellent protein sources, aiding in maintaining normal body functions and tissue repair.
Dietary Fiber: Dandelion is rich in dietary fiber, helping promote bowel movements, prevent constipation, and lower cholesterol levels.
Vitamins and Minerals: Dandelion contains various vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, essential for a healthy body and normal immune system function.
Antioxidants: Dandelion contains antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols, which help combat free radical damage, reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Anti-inflammatory Effect: Dandelion exhibits certain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, potentially easing the body’s inflammatory responses.
