As time passes, the beginning of midsummer, today is the first day of entering midsummer, traditionally divided into three midsummers, namely, early summer, midsummer, and late summer, also known as the first, second, and third midsummers. The saying goes, “The heat is in midsummer,” which is not at all false. These days are really too hot, entering midsummer also signifies the hottest time of the year.
During midsummer days, the hot weather results in significant energy consumption for the body, and many people may experience reduced appetite, weight loss, and fatigue, known as the “bitter summer” conditions. According to an old tradition, we must “nurture the summer during midsummer.” When midsummer arrives, even if busy, we must remember to “eat 4 things, do 2 things” for the summer, a good meaning for cooling off and nourishing the summer, not forgetting the old tradition!
1: Noodles
As the saying goes, “dumplings in early summer, noodles in midsummer, pan-fried pancakes and eggs in late summer.” Following the old tradition, noodles are to be eaten during midsummer. At this time, in the hot weather, people usually choose cold noodles, which are refreshing and cooling to eat. The method is simple, symbolizing good weather, cooling heat, appetizing, and satisfying cravings. Don’t forget to eat them in midsummer!
[Cold Noodles Recipe] Ingredients: Noodles, 2 cucumbers, a little coriander, a little garlic, appropriate soy sauce, a little vinegar, and salt.
1. Boil water in a pot, cook the noodles, remove and rinse with cold water, or chill with ice cubes for a better texture, then place the cold noodles in a dish.
2. Shred the cucumbers on top of the noodles, add some coriander, crush the garlic into garlic puree, mix with soy sauce, vinegar, and salt, pour it over the noodles, and the cold noodles are ready.
2: Fish
During midsummer, with the hot and humid weather, dampness can easily invade the body, causing fatigue and weakness. Fish is nutritious, delicious, not greasy, and the meat is easily digestible and absorbable, making it suitable for the hot weather of midsummer.
[Steamed Fish Recipe] Ingredients: Appropriate amount of dragon fish, a little garlic minced, soy sauce, vinegar, salt, spring onions, ginger slices, peanut oil.
1. Clean the dragon fish, dip in batter and fry briefly to remove fishy smell, or skip this step, directly place the fish in a dish, add spring onions and ginger slices, steam for 8 minutes.
2. After steaming, mix soy sauce, vinegar, and salt into a sauce, evenly pour it over the fish, sprinkle with minced garlic, and drizzle with hot oil, and it’s ready.
3: Beef
As the saying goes, “Beef supplements Qi, comparable to astragalus.” During midsummer, with the high heat and significant body energy consumption, eating some beef for nourishment is very good. Beef is rich in nutrients, low in fat content, delicious, not greasy, and easy to eat. Don’t forget to eat it!
[Enoki Mushroom Beef Recipe] Ingredients: Beef, enoki mushrooms, spring onions, ginger, salt, peanut oil, corn starch, egg white, garlic, dried chili.
1. Slice the beef thinly, marinate with corn starch and egg white, let it sit for about 10 minutes, blanch the beef in boiling water, then transfer to a dish with enoki mushrooms at the bottom.
2. In a pan, heat peanut oil, stir-fry the spicy beef mixture. If there is no spicy beef sauce, you can use wild peppers and vinegar as a substitute. Add spring onions, ginger, add beef, bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes, season with a little salt.
3. Pour the cooked beef over the enoki mushrooms in the dish, top with dried chili, chopped spring onions, minced garlic, drizzle with hot oil, and it’s ready.
4: Lamb
In many northern regions, there is a tradition of eating “midsummer lamb” during midsummer. Eating lamb during this time can dispel the residual chill in the body, which is very beneficial for health. Remember to eat lamb today during midsummer!
[Braised Lamb Recipe] Ingredients: Lamb leg meat, spring onions, ginger slices, a little salt, a little vinegar, a little chopped spring onions.
1. Heat a little peanut oil in a pot, sauté spring onions and ginger until fragrant, add the diced lamb meat and stir-fry evenly, pour in an adequate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour until the lamb is fully cooked, season with salt, MSG, and a little vinegar, sprinkle with chopped spring onions, and serve hot.
Don’t forget to do two things during midsummer:
1. Apply midsummer stickers: In our old tradition, during midsummer days, many people will apply midsummer stickers to alleviate body pain, especially for the elderly. Don’t forget this old tradition.
2. Prevent heatstroke: Midsummer is the hottest period of the year, avoid direct sunlight, drink plenty of water, prevent heatstroke, cooling down is a top priority during this time.
Final words:
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