As is well known, entering the dog days of summer, the weather is humid and hot. For many foodies, the most important thing every day is to avoid the high temperatures and prevent heatstroke. Once heatstroke occurs, health will be affected, and it can also affect work, leading to losses. Besides avoiding heatstroke by staying away from high temperatures, it is also advisable to eat more seasonal summer delicacies, as they can also help clear heat and relieve summer heat.
The five “Dog Days 5 Melons” recommended today are actually the best heatstroke prevention products.
Everyone knows that tomorrow will enter the “Dog Days” season. The Dog Days are the hottest period during the three dog days of summer. As the saying goes, “Eat melons during the Dog Days, it won’t feel like a bitter summer.” Melon dishes not only include various fruits but also a variety of melon vegetables. In summer, in addition to eating some fruit melons, it is also important to eat more vegetable melons.
Melon ingredients not only provide good nutritional and hydration benefits but also have the effects of clearing heat, relieving summer heat, and promoting appetite. The five kinds of melon dishes shared today are dishes that my family eats every Dog Days of summer, and they work quite well.
Another type of food that must be eaten during the Dog Days is noodles. In Dog Days, various regions in China have the tradition of eating noodles. Dog Days are one of the hottest periods of the year, and with the hot weather, people tend to lose appetite easily. In such a season, eating noodles has become a common choice. Noodles are easy to digest, high in water content, help replenish lost fluids, and have the effects of clearing heat and relieving summer heat. Additionally, the process of making noodles is simple and fast, suitable for hot weather, meeting people’s demand for simple meals in summer.
Noodles can be paired with various vegetables, meats, and other ingredients. Through different combinations, one can create a well-balanced meal. When eating noodles during the Dog Days, people usually choose some cooling and heat-relieving ingredients as side dishes, such as shredded cucumber, tomatoes, bean sprouts, as well as some light meats or seafood, such as chicken or fish. Such combinations are not only delicious but also provide necessary nutrients for the body.
In some places, eating noodles during the Dog Days is also a traditional custom, as people believe it can bring good luck, dispel diseases, and maintain health. Eating noodles during the Dog Days aligns with the traditional Chinese medicine concept of “nourishing Yang in spring and summer,” which helps regulate the body’s functions and adapt to seasonal changes.
Tomorrow is the Dog Days, regardless of wealth or status, remember to eat the “Dog Days 5 Melons,” delicious, affordable, and nutritious. Now, I will share the recipes for the Dog Days 5 Melons and noodles with everyone. Wishing everyone good health!
1. Cucumber:
Cooling and Heat-relieving: Cucumbers have a high water content, and consuming them in summer can effectively replenish the body’s lost fluids due to heat, helping the body cool down.
Diuretic and Anti-swelling: Cucumbers have good diuretic effects, assisting the body in eliminating excess water and toxins.
Beauty and Skin Care: Cucumbers are rich in vitamin C and vitamin E, promoting skin hydration and elasticity.
Cucumber Sesame Cold Noodles:
This is a very popular cold noodle dish in summer. The combination of cucumber slivers and sesame paste is refreshing and aromatic. Sesame paste is rich in protein and various vitamins, while cucumbers have a cooling and heat-relieving effect.
Noodles: Choose fresh noodles and cook them in boiling water with some salt.
While cooking, stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together. Cook until the noodles are fully cooked but still have some chewiness, then quickly transfer them to a bowl of cold water prepared in advance. This will cool the noodles rapidly, maintaining their smooth texture. Once the noodles are cooled, drain the water and place them in a bowl.
Cucumber: Select fresh and tender cucumbers, wash them, and cut them into even segments first, then slice each segment into thin slivers. Place the cucumber slivers in a bowl, sprinkle with a little salt, mix well, let it sit for a few minutes, then squeeze out the excess water to make them more crisp.
Sesame Paste: Place the sesame paste in a bowl, add a small amount of cold water, and stir slowly in one direction with chopsticks or a whisk. Initially, the sesame paste may become thick, continue adding cold water gradually while stirring continuously until the paste becomes thin and smooth. Next, add a suitable amount of salt, sugar, vinegar, and minced garlic, mix well. Adjust the amounts of these seasonings according to personal taste to achieve a balanced sweet and sour taste with a rich garlic flavor.
Mix Well: Place the cooked noodles and cucumber slivers in a larger container, pour in the prepared sesame paste. Use chopsticks or wear gloves to mix the noodles, cucumber slivers, and sesame paste thoroughly, ensuring that each noodle is coated with the paste. Finally, sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds on top to enhance the texture and add a rich fragrance.
2. Winter Melon:
Cooling and Detoxifying: Winter melon has a cool nature and excellent detoxifying effects, making it very suitable for consumption in summer.
Diuretic and Anti-swelling: Specific components in winter melon help promote diuresis, alleviating symptoms of edema.
Cholesterol Reduction and Weight Loss: Winter melon is low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, which is beneficial for weight loss and weight control.
Minced Pork Winter Melon Soup Noodles:
Winter melon has excellent diuretic and anti-swelling effects. Cooked with minced pork into a soup noodle dish, it is not only delicious but also helps cool off and relieve thirst. It is suitable for summer consumption, especially for those who need cooling and detoxification.
Noodles: Place the noodles in boiling water, cook until fully cooked. Cooking time varies depending on the type and thickness of the noodles, usually around 58 minutes. Once cooked, remove the noodles, quickly rinse with cold water to remove stickiness, making the noodles smoother. Drain the noodles and set aside.
Winter Melon: Choose winter melons with firm texture and smooth skin. Peel the melon, then cut it into evenly-sized small pieces. Be mindful of cutting the pieces not too large so they can cook quickly and thoroughly when making the soup.
Seasoning: In the soup with winter melon and minced pork, add a suitable amount of salt to adjust the seasoning. Add pepper according to personal preference to enhance the aroma and add a slight spiciness to the soup. Lastly, sprinkle some spring onions, adding fragrance to the soup and making it more appealing.
Soup Noodles: Place the cooked noodles into the winter melon minced pork soup, cook over high heat until the noodles are warm. Stir occasionally to ensure the noodles fully absorb the flavor of the soup.
3. Loofah:
Cooling and Heat-relieving: Loofah also has cooling and heat-relieving effects, making it an ideal choice for summer diets.
Lung Nourishing and Cough Alleviating: Loofah helps moisten the lungs and relieve coughs, suitable for consumption during dry seasons or when feeling discomfort in the lungs.
Beauty and Skin Care: Loofah is rich in vitamin C and vitamin B, benefiting skin health.
Tomato Loofah Braised Noodles:
The combination of tomatoes and loofah is sweet and sour, rich in nutrients. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and lycopene, while loofah helps clear heat and relieve summer heat. This braised noodle dish is suitable for summer consumption and helps improve appetite.
Noodles: Boil the noodles in water until fully cooked. Once cooked, remove the noodles, rinse with cold water, drain excess water, and set aside.
Tomatoes and Loofah: Select ripe and plump tomatoes and fresh, tender loofah. Make a cross-shaped incision at the top of the tomatoes, blanch them in hot water for a short time, then peel and cut them into small pieces. Peel the loofah, cut it into pieces similar in size to the tomatoes.
Braising Sauce: Heat oil in a pan, fry the tomato pieces until juicy. Next, add the loofah pieces, continue to stir-fry thoroughly. Add a suitable amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over medium-low heat for a while. During this process, add salt, sugar, and soy sauce to taste, simmer until the broth thickens and the ingredients are cooked.
Mix Well: Place the cooked noodles into the braising sauce, simmer over low heat until the noodles are warm and thoroughly absorb the sauce. Stir well to coat each noodle with the rich sauce.
4. Luffa (Zucchini):
Low Calorie: Zucchini is low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, making it great for weight loss and weight management.
Rich in Nutrients: Zucchini contains various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, potassium, which are beneficial for overall health.
Promotes Digestion: The dietary fiber in zucchini helps promote intestinal motility and improve digestion.
Zucchini and Egg Stir-fried Noodles:
The combination of zucchini (luffa) and eggs provides a balanced nutritional profile and delicious taste. Zucchini is rich in vitamins and minerals, while eggs offer high-quality protein.
Noodles: Cook the noodles in boiling water until 80% cooked, then drain and rinse immediately with cold water to retain their texture. After draining excess water, add a little cooking oil and mix it evenly with the noodles to prevent sticking.
Zucchini: Choose fresh and tender green zucchini, wash them, then thinly slice them into shreds. Set aside the zucchini shreds.
Eggs: Crack eggs into a bowl, add a suitable amount of salt, use chopsticks or a whisk to beat evenly until the yolks and whites are fully integrated.
Stir-fry: Heat a wok, add some cooking oil, once hot, pour in the beaten egg mixture. Quickly stir the eggs in the wok until they solidify into small chunks, then remove and set aside. Add a little more oil to the wok, stir-fry the zucchini shreds until they soften, then add the pre-cooked egg and noodles, stir-fry together. Season with salt, light soy sauce, and other seasonings according to taste, continue stir-frying until noodles fully absorb the flavors.
5. Luffa Gourd:
Low Calorie: Luffa gourd is low in calories, suitable for those looking to lose weight or control weight.
Rich in Nutrients: Luffa gourd contains abundant vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, beneficial for health.
Promotes Digestion: The dietary fiber in luffa gourd aids in promoting intestinal motility and optimizing digestion.
Luffa Gourd Preserved Vegetable Pork Braised Noodles:
The combination of luffa gourd and preserved vegetables offers a unique taste and is nutritionally rich. Luffa gourd’s heat-clearing and detoxifying properties are complemented by the flavor-enhancing preserved vegetables. The pork provides additional protein. This braised noodle dish is suitable for consumption throughout the year, especially when in need of nutrition.
Noodles: Boil the noodles until 70-80% cooked, then drain and rinse with cold water to remove stickiness.
Luffa Gourd and Preserved Vegetables: Select fresh and tender luffa gourd, wash and thinly slice into shreds. Cut the preserved vegetables into thin shreds and rinse with water to reduce saltiness.
Pork Shreds: Cut pork into fine shreds, place in a bowl, add some soy sauce, cooking wine, and starch, mix well, marinate for 15-20 minutes to enhance the flavor.
Braising: Heat a wok, add cooking oil, once hot, stir-fry the marinated pork shreds until they change color. Then add luffa gourd shreds and preserved vegetable shreds, continue stirring. Add noodles and an appropriate amount of water, ensuring that the water just covers the ingredients. Cover the wok, reduce the heat and simmer. Occasionally lift the lid, stir the noodles to ensure they are evenly heated and absorb the broth. Once the noodles have absorbed most of the liquid and are soft and flavorful, adjust the seasoning with salt and other seasonings as desired, stir well.
