Half of the year has flown by, entering the second half. Looking at the solar terms, the major heat is here, signaling the end of summer. However, as the saying goes, “small heat follows the major heat, nowhere to escape from the heat.” Despite being the last solar term of summer, it is also the hottest and most unbearable period. The scorching heat and humidity sweep in from the air, truly leaving no place to hide.
People often use the phrase “steaming and sweltering” to describe the weather during the major heat period, and it’s not an exaggeration. The stifling and humid air makes one sweat profusely at all times, leading to rapid loss of body fluids and continuous physical exertion. Without timely replenishment of nutrients, the body may suffer from depletion due to “inputs being insufficient for the outputs,” making it even more challenging to endure the upcoming autumn and winter. Therefore, during the major heat solar term, one must find ways to nourish the body, not only being able to eat comfortably but also eating the right and nutritious food. Only then can the body truly receive nourishment.
Tomorrow is the major heat, so don’t forget: steam with three whites, cook with two reds, clear heat, relieve summer heat, and prepare for autumn and winter. Below, we will share suitable foods and cooking methods for the major heat period, hoping to provide you with inspiration and wishing everyone a smooth summer transition and a healthy state for welcoming autumn and winter.
Steam with Three Whites
Steamed Sea Bass
Sea bass meat is delicious, with a tender texture that is easy to digest, making it an excellent ingredient for nourishment during the major heat period. There are many ways to prepare fish, and steaming is a classic method that is simple and helps retain the freshness and nutritional value of the fish meat. With a variety of fish available, you may consider trying sea bass during this season, known for its firm and tender meat texture with almost no small bones, making it especially suitable for the elderly and children.
1. Take a fresh sea bass, clean the scales, gills, and internal impurities, drain the water, and make diagonal cuts on both sides.
2. Prepare some chopped spring onions and ginger, sprinkle a little Shaoxing wine, and rub it carefully on the surface of the fish, marinate for a while.
3. Additionally, prepare some fresh spring onions and ginger, line some at the bottom of the plate and place some inside the fish. Put the plate in a steamer, steam for ten minutes after the water boils. If the fish is larger with thicker meat, it may require a longer steaming time.
4. When the fish is cooked, pour out any excess water from the plate, top with shredded spring onions and ginger, drizzle hot oil, then pour light soy sauce or steamed fish soy sauce over it, and it’s ready to serve.
Steamed Chinese Yam Cake
After the major heat sets in, the weather becomes hot and humid, causing decreased appetite and digestive discomfort. At this time, consuming Chinese yam, rich in mucilage, polysaccharides, and fiber, can help tonify the spleen and stomach, promote digestion. There are various ways to prepare Chinese yam, steaming is a common method that can yield delicious results. Here is a recipe for Chinese yam cake that is suitable for all ages.
1. Prepare a piece of Chinese yam, about 150g, peel and slice it after cleaning. Also, prepare a few red dates, wash them and remove the pits.
2. Put Chinese yam and red dates into a food processor, add two eggs, and optionally some sugar for sweetness, then blend the ingredients into a paste.
3. Brush a little corn oil at the bottom of a container, pour the mixture in, and garnish with wolfberries, osmanthus, or other dried fruits.
4. Cover the container with plastic wrap, leaving a vent hole, steam it in a steamer over high heat for twenty-five minutes and then turn off the heat.
5. Remove the container from the steamer, take off the plastic wrap immediately to prevent condensation, let it cool slightly, and it’s ready to be served.
Steamed Tofu
Despite its long history of being a traditional snack, tofu is also considered a nutritious food by many. It is rich in plant-based protein, Vitamin E, flavonoids, calcium, iron, phosphorus, etc., helping tonify deficiency, strengthen the spleen, boost bone health, and enhance cognitive functions. Tofu itself is a cooling food, and after steaming at high temperatures, it becomes more gentle on the stomach and even tastier.
1. Take a fresh block of tofu, slice it evenly, and arrange it neatly at the bottom of a plate.
2. Prepare some minced fresh meat filling, spread it on top of the tofu without being too thick. Crack an egg in the center.
3. Bring water to a boil in a pot, place the plate inside, continue steaming for 8-10 minutes until the ingredients are fully cooked. Then sprinkle chopped spring onions and crushed red chili on top, and drizzle with light soy sauce, sesame oil. It’s ready to be served.
Cook with Two Reds
Red Bean Soup
Red beans have been praised as the “valley of the heart” by ancient people, ideal for summer and especially during the major heat period when the weather is hot and humid, causing irritability and poor sleep. Drinking red bean soup frequently can help nourish the heart, relieve irritability, clear heat, detoxify, and enhance resistance.
1. Prepare some red adzuki beans, wash off impurities, soak them in cold water for about two hours until they soften. Also, peel a few longans.
2. Take a small piece of dried white fungus, soak it in water until it expands, then cut it into small pieces after washing thoroughly.
3. Put all the ingredients into a pot, add drinking water, bring it to a boil, then simmer for about forty minutes until the red beans are cooked.
4. Finally, add some rock sugar, stir well, and continue cooking for ten minutes. The soup is fragrant and nourishing, very refreshing and moisturizing.
Cook Tomato Mushroom Soup
Tomatoes have a sweet and sour taste, making them appetizing when used in soups. They are also rich in Vitamin C, lycopene, fiber, beta-carotene, etc., which help in antioxidant activity, anti-inflammation, antibacterial effects, heart protection, and cooling effects. Cooking them with mushrooms in a soup results in a delicious and nutritious dish.
1. Prepare some shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, clean them thoroughly, slice the shiitake mushrooms and cut the enoki mushrooms into small sections.
2. Also, prepare two tomatoes, wash them, dice them finely. Heat some oil in a pot, stir-fry the tomatoes until they soften, releasing their flavors fully.
3. Add water to the pot, start by putting in the shiitake mushrooms, simmer for about five minutes until the shiitake mushrooms are thoroughly cooked.
4. Finally, add the enoki mushrooms, stir gently, cook for two minutes, season with a little light soy sauce, vinegar, salt. Next, beat an egg, mix it with some cornstarch dissolved in water, pour it into the pot, cook until the egg forms strands, and then turn off the heat.
This article is an original creation by Jasmine’s Gourmet Journal. It’s not easy to write, so it is strictly prohibited for improper media to plagiarize or reuse it. Please feel free to like, bookmark, and share! Thank you for your support!
