The saying goes, “After the beginning of autumn, the final period of lingering heat begins.” The timing of the arrival of the final period of lingering heat varies in different years. This year belongs to the “autumn wrapped in heat,” with the final period of lingering heat coming a week after the beginning of autumn. According to the traditional saying of the elders, “After the beginning of autumn, the heat is unbearable,” meaning that the summer heat will continue after the beginning of autumn. People also refer to this kind of weather as the “autumn tiger days,” which usually refers to the final period of lingering heat, after which it will officially enter the cool days of autumn.
The final period of lingering heat is an important transitional period from summer to autumn. During this period, adjustments should be made in accordance with the changing climate, especially in terms of diet. It is advisable to consume seasonal nutritious foods to replenish the body, offsetting the losses incurred during the summer, and preparing for storing energy for autumn.
On August 14, the final period of lingering heat begins. Remind family members to eat more meat and vegetables, and fewer fruits, to nourish the body and store energy for autumn. Let’s take a closer look at the specific content, do not be careless with each meal and dish.
More Meat
Fish
The climate during the final period of lingering heat is the most complex, with both summer heat and the gradual coolness of autumn. When choosing meat, the principle should be to clear heat and replenish, with fish as the preferred option. Its meat is cool and appetizing, benefiting the spleen and stomach, providing us with high-quality amino acids, linoleic acid, phospholipids, as well as ions like zinc, iron, copper, which help protect the cardiovascular system, nourish the liver, and strengthen bones and tendons.
Recommended Recipe: Braised Yellow Croaker
1. Prepare a medium-sized yellow croaker, clean it thoroughly, cut it open from the middle, and make some shallow cuts on the surface. Also, prepare some pork belly and cut it into small pieces.
2. Heat the pan, add the meat and ginger slices, stir-fry to release the fat and aroma gradually.
3. Then add scallion segments and garlic cloves, stir-fry until fragrant, add soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, and rock sugar, stir well. Pour in some hot water, place the yellow croaker in the pan, and ensure it’s covered with the sauce. Cover and simmer for about twenty minutes, until the fish is thoroughly cooked. Remove from heat.
Duck Meat
Similar to fish, duck meat also helps to cool the body, relieve summer heat, and is rich in high-quality proteins with lower fat content. It aids in tonifying deficiency, clearing heat, moisturizing the lungs, suitable for consumption during the final period of lingering heat, whether in soups or braised dishes.
Recommended Recipe: Basil Duck Stew
1. Chop a duck into large pieces, trim off the fatty parts, wash thoroughly by scrubbing with flour.
2. Heat some oil in a pan, pour in the duck pieces, sear briefly, then start stir-frying until the fat renders out and the meat turns slightly brown.
3. Add some basil stems, stir-fry well, pour in hot water, add a bit of soy sauce and rock sugar, then stew for an hour.
4. When the duck meat is tender, add some basil leaves, a pinch of salt, stir-fry over high heat to bring out the basil’s fragrance, thicken the sauce, making the duck meat flavorful but not greasy.
More Vegetables
Lotus Root
August has arrived, the season for eating lotus roots, known for their refreshing crunchiness and slight sweetness, with a unique texture. Lotus roots are highly nutritious, rich in proteins, dietary fiber, vitamin C, iron, phosphorus, manganese, aiding in clearing heat, replenishing energy, and enhancing resistance during this season.
Recommended Recipe: Steamed Lotus Root with Minced Meat
1. Clean fresh lotus roots, slice as thinly as possible, wash away starch in water.
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil, blanch the lotus roots for about a minute, quickly remove and cool them in cold water.
3. Prepare some minced meat, mix with ginger, salt, soy sauce until well combined.
4. Wrap the meat with lotus root slices, arrange them in a plate, steam over high heat for about twenty minutes. Sprinkle with chopped green onions when done, heat some oil, drizzle over, garnish with goji berries.
Okra
As summer transitions into autumn, it’s the season for okra, praised as the “king of vegetables.” Okra is rich in sugars, mucilage, vitamins A, K, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, beneficial for gastrointestinal protection, anemia improvement, skin hydration, and immune enhancement.
Recommended Recipe: Stir-fried Okra with Eggs
1. Wash okra, blanch in boiling water until color deepens, then quickly remove and cool in cold water.
2. Trim both ends of okra, cut into small sections.
3. Heat oil in a pan, add okra, stir-fry quickly, then pour in beaten eggs.
4. Continue stir-frying as the eggs start to set, sprinkle some salt, until the eggs are fully cooked. Add some goji berries, stir well, then serve.
Sweet Potato Leaves
Sweet potato leaves are dubbed as “longevity food,” and it’s time to eat them a few more times before waiting until next year. They contain abundant viscous proteins, flavonoids, dietary fiber, vitamin A, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, beneficial for cardiovascular protection, vision enhancement, and prevention of constipation.
Recommended Recipe: Stir-fried Sweet Potato Leaves
1. Choose tender sweet potato leaves, rinse in running water, drain excess water.
2. Heat oil in a pan, add garlic paste, cook over low heat until fragrant.
3. Add sweet potato leaves, stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, quickly stir-fry until wilted, sprinkle a little salt, some millet pepper, stir well, then plate immediately.
Eat Fewer Fruits
There are many fresh fruits available this season, and the weather is hot and dry, making it suitable to eat more fruits. However, although fruits are good, one should not overeat, especially avoiding the following two types.
Longan has a sweet and fragrant taste, juicy and refreshing, providing energy, alleviating fatigue, and benefiting Qi and blood, with heart benefits. But since longan is warm in nature, excessive consumption can lead to heatiness, throat discomfort, etc. Therefore, it is wise to eat it in moderation.
Mangosteen is sweet, juicy, and a beloved fruit. However, being cool in nature, consuming in moderation is also essential to avoid irritating the stomach, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea. It contains allergenic components, so those prone to allergies should eat sparingly or avoid completely.
This article is an original creation by Xiao Mo Li’s Food Journal. Writing is not easy, strictly prohibit bad self-media from copying or reprinting. Feel free to like, share, bookmark, and repost! Thank you for your support!
