The hot summer weather often leads people to consume cooling foods such as watermelon and cucumber. However, according to traditional medicine and nutrition experts, excessive consumption of these foods can damage the spleen and stomach, leading to loss of appetite, bloating, and digestive issues.
To support efficient digestion, maintain energy levels, and boost immunity during the hot season, experts recommend incorporating three “warming” dishes into your daily menu. These dishes are easy to prepare and use common ingredients readily available in most kitchens.
1. Pig Stomach and Soybean Stew – Enhances Digestion and Strengthens the Spleen
Pig stomach and soybeans is a familiar dish with high nutritional value. Soybeans are rich in protein, vitamin B complex, calcium, and iron, boosting immunity. Pig stomach, valued in traditional medicine, is rich in protein and minerals, known for its ability to strengthen the spleen and aid digestion.
Preparation:
Soak 100g of soybeans for 3-4 hours.
Clean a pig stomach with salt and flour, then parboil it with ginger and cooking wine.
Slice the stomach, stir-fry it with ginger, and add it to a clay pot with the soybeans. Add water, bring it to a boil, then simmer for 1.5-2 hours. Season with salt to taste.
This stew has a sweet fragrance, with tender stomach slices and nutty soybeans. It is suitable for those with weak spleen and stomach, frequent bloating, and poor appetite.
2. Lotus Root, Peanut, Pear, and Red Date Soup – Detoxifying and Moisture-Eliminating
Combining lotus root, peanuts, pear, and red dates creates a refreshing and easy-to-eat soup that helps clear heat, nourish the lungs, and eliminate moisture, a common issue during summer.
Ingredients:
1 lotus root (peeled and sliced)
50g soaked peanuts
1 pear (peeled, cored, and sliced)
10 red dates
Rock sugar to taste
Preparation:
Place all the ingredients in a pot, add water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 40-60 minutes. Finally, season with rock sugar. The soup has a sweet and refreshing taste, helping the body feel lighter and reducing the lethargic feeling caused by hot and humid weather.
3. Pig’s Trotter and Three-Bean Soup – Nutritious, Good for Skin and Digestion
This soup, featuring pig’s trotter and three types of beans (black beans, soybeans, and peanuts), is an ideal choice for the summer menu, especially for those needing to restore their energy or dealing with dry and dull skin.
Benefits:
Black beans help tonify the kidneys, promote diuresis, and eliminate dampness.
Soybeans and peanuts aid in strengthening the spleen and enhancing digestion.
Pig’s trotter is rich in collagen, supporting skin regeneration and connective tissue health.
Preparation:
Soak 50g of each type of bean.
Parboil and clean the pig’s trotter.
Combine all ingredients in a pot, add water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 2-2.5 hours. Season with salt before serving.
This soup has a rich flavor, with tender trotter meat and fragrant, buttery beans. It is suitable for both adults and children.
Cooking Notes:
Soak the beans with a small amount of baking soda to reduce cooking time.
Thoroughly clean the pig’s stomach multiple times to eliminate any odor.
When preparing stews, add sufficient water at the beginning to avoid diluting the flavor by adding water midway through cooking.
