The top 5 light and nutritious dishes to help cool down during the hot summer days. In this weather, excessive sweating can lead to fatigue, dehydration, and loss of essential minerals and vitamins. Thus, an ideal summer meal should be light, low in oil, yet nutritious.
Below are 5 simple, easy-to-prepare, and delicious dishes to refresh your daily menu, ensuring your family enjoys their meals even during the scorching summer heat.
1. Top 5 Light Dishes Anyone Can Cook
1.1 Stir-fried Water Spinach with Pork Belly and Garlic
Water spinach, a humble and popular summer vegetable, when combined with pork belly and fried garlic, creates a simple yet mouthwatering stir-fry. The ingredients are straightforward: water spinach, pork belly, and garlic. If you like it spicy, add some chili peppers.
Cooking process: Fry the pork belly to render the fat. Add garlic and dried chili (if using) for aroma. Then, toss in the water spinach and stir-fry quickly over high heat. Season with salt and MSG. Turn off the heat when the spinach is just cooked to retain its green color and crispness.
Stir-fried water spinach with pork belly—one of the easiest light dishes to make.
1.2 Stir-fried Mirliton with Eggs and Shrimp
The refreshing taste of mirliton, natural sweetness of shrimp, and soft creaminess of eggs come together in this dish to provide relief from the summer heat. Simply slice the mirliton into rings, marinate the shrimp in wine and pepper, soak the wood ear mushrooms, and prepare some eggs. If you want to include more vegetables, feel free to add carrots.
For cooking, start by stir-frying the shrimp with garlic. Fry the eggs separately. Then, stir-fry the mirliton with wood ear mushrooms, adding a little water. Finally, toss in the shrimp and eggs, seasoning with salt and MSG to taste. This dish is not only delicious but also visually appealing with its harmonious blend of green, orange, and yellow colors.
1.3 Stir-fried Minced Meat with Water Spinach
Water spinach, commonly used in soups, takes on a new dimension when stir-fried with minced meat, resulting in a smooth, sweet, and easy-to-eat dish. The ingredients are minimal: water spinach, garlic, and minced meat.
First, stir-fry the meat with garlic until it changes color. Then, add the water spinach and stir-fry quickly. Season simply with salt, fish sauce, and MSG. This dish is best when the spinach is just cooked, retaining its natural sliminess without becoming mushy.
1.4 Stir-fried Lap Cheong with Cucumber
Stir-frying cucumbers with lap cheong (Chinese sausage) results in a surprisingly refreshing dish—crispy, cool, and appealing. Simply slice the cucumber and lap cheong, and you’re ready to cook.
Fry the lap cheong first to render some fat and enhance its aroma. Then, stir-fry the cucumber quickly over high heat, seasoning with MSG and salt. This dish can be served hot or cold, providing a unique variation to your summer menu.
Stir-fried lap cheong with cucumber—an easy yet unique dish that goes well with rice.
1.5 Braised Eggplant with Pickled Mustard Greens
The final dish in our top 5 light summer dishes is braised eggplant with pickled mustard greens. The soft sweetness of eggplant combined with the sour and salty flavors of the pickled greens creates a rustic yet flavorful dish, especially when served with white rice.
First, cut the eggplant into pieces and soak them in salted water. Rinse and squeeze the pickled mustard greens, and prepare some minced meat, onion, and garlic. Start by stir-frying the meat with garlic until fragrant. Then, add the pickled greens and eggplant, along with a little water. Simmer until the eggplant is soft, seasoning with fish sauce, sugar, and a pinch of pepper. Just before turning off the heat, add some chopped scallions for extra flavor and aroma.
2. Summer Meals Can Be Comforting
During the hot summer days, along with staying hydrated and eating fruits, light and refreshing meals can be a great way to soothe your body. With just a few familiar ingredients, a bit of time, and a passion for cooking, you can create summer meals that are not only tasty but also nutritionally rich.
Let your daily meals become a journey of culinary exploration—light, fresh, and delightful—making summer a more enjoyable season. So, don’t hesitate to include these top 5 light dishes in your summer menu to make each meal more flavorful and appetizing.
The Ultimate Summer Superfood: Transforming a Simple Soup Vegetable into a Delicious Stir-fry.
For sure, many will be surprised by the unique and exotic flavor of this dish.
The Frugal Feast: A Peek Into the Simple Meals of Vietnam’s Rich and Famous
Living in a luxurious mansion worth billions and cruising around in expensive cars, these Vietnamese celebrities have surprisingly simple dietary habits. Their secret to maintaining their stunning figures and staying in shape is a humble diet of steamed rice, boiled vegetables, fish stew, and sweet potatoes. These seemingly modest dishes are their secret weapons to staying healthy and burning fat efficiently.
“A Hearty and Healthy Twist to Instant Noodles: A Recipe to Feed the Whole Family.”
Are you on the hunt for easy, family-friendly recipes that everyone will love? Look no further! This collection of “super simple” recipes will have you whipping up delicious and nutritious meals that are sure to please all palates.
The Ultimate Guide to Stir-Fry: “The Secret to a Perfectly Crisp and Crunchy Stir-Fry”
With this stir-fry water spinach recipe, you’ll be able to create a dish that’s not only delicious but also memorable. The water spinach will be transformed into a vibrant, crisp, and crunchy delight that will leave a lasting impression.
The Secret to Stir-Fried Water Spinach: Add a Crunch with This Simple Ingredient
Although stir-frying water spinach with garlic is a simple dish, achieving that perfect crisp texture and vibrant green color is an art. With a few simple tips and tricks, anyone can master this delicious side dish and impress their family and friends.
