Smashed Cucumber Salad - Summer Recipe
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 5 mins | Total Time: 15 mins
Quick | Easy | Dairy-Free | Nut-Free | Vegetarian | Vegan |
This delicious, refreshing salad is the perfect summer recipe and only takes 5 minutes to prepare. The ingredients are simple, and yet this salad is packed with flavour and is full of health benefits. This Yin salad is perfect for summer - the most Yang season of the year. In Chinese Medicine, cucumbers are loaded with medicinal benefits - they build Yin, are hydrating and are beneficial for many health conditions.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cucumbers
- 1 small bunch coriander - cut into 1-inch pieces, saving some for garnish
- ¼ red bell pepper - shredded
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp chilli oil
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic - grated
DIRECTIONS
- Peel the cucumbers and cut the ends off. Cut the cucumbers down the center lengthwise into 3-4 pieces.
- Place cucumber pieces into a ziplock bag and smash (gently) with a rolling pin or another heavy object. Remove from bag and cut into bite-sized pieces. Put all into a large bowl.
- Sprinkle cucumber with salt, mix well and set aside for 10 minutes. Then discard the liquid.
- Add coriander, shredded bell pepper and the rest of the ingredients. Still well, garnish with a bit of coriander and enjoy!
TIP
If you want to increase the fibre content of this salad, then leave the skins on the cucumbers. Just be sure to wash them well first. Depending on where they come from, cucumber skins can be covered in wax or have harmful pesticides, so be sure to wash them thoroughly if you are going to leave the peels on.
CHINESE MEDICINE HEALTH BENEFITS
In Chinese Medicine cucumbers have a huge number of healing properties. They are particularly good for soothing any skin swellings or irritations because of their high content of silica, vitamin C and caffeic acid which are important components of connective tissue. Cucumbers also quench thirst, calm irritability, combat oedema as well as treat jaundice, diarrhoea and even epilepsy. A slice of cucumber is able to take the sting out of a bug bite, and cucumber juice is an excellent prescription for glowing healthy skin because of its high water content, and its ability to hydrate the skin - the body’s largest organ. This is one of the reasons why in Chinese Medicine, food IS medicine. :)
Delicious featured image from The Splendid Table.org
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Summer Recipe to Clear Heat & Decrease Fire
Clear Heat and Decrease Fire
Pressure, insomnia, prolonged exposure to a blowing air conditioner, and eating out too frequently can all lead to excessive internal heat. Excessive internal heat can be alleviated by regulating one’s diet. One should eat an appropriate ratio of meat and vegetables, and eat more fruits and vegetables that clear heat and drain fire. Enriching the yin helps decrease fire and eradicate dryness-heat. This Pork and Lotus Seed Soup recipe helps with just that!
Pork and Lotus Seed Soup
Preparation Time: 32 min.
Serves: 2
Ingredients
7.05 oz. (200 grams) lean pork
1.41 oz. (40 grams) lotus seed
1.76 oz. (50 grams) carrots
0.52 oz. (15 grams) dang shen (Codonopsis pilosula)
Seasoning
½ tsp. (2 grams) salt
½ tsp. (2 grams) chicken bouillon
a dash of ground pepper
Preparation
- Cut washed carrot into small chunks. Cut washed pork into slices.
- Add water to casserole dish. Add prepared lotus seeds, dang shen (Codonopsis pilosula), carrots, and pork. Cook over low heat for 30 min.
- Mix in salt, chicken bouillon, and ground pepper to taste.
- Turn off heat. Scoop out into bowls and serve.
Reminder
If the lotus seeds are very white, they may have been artificially bleached. It is best not to buy this kind of lotus seed.
Photo by Justin Lim on Unsplash
**Beautiful featured image photo by Christopher Burns on Unsplash
Oysters - The Immune & Libido Boosters
By Vicky Chan of NourishU
Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food such as grains, legumes, meat, nuts, and seeds. The main function of zinc is to boost the body's immune system which can help to prevent colds and allergies. Zinc is also an antioxidant which can help combat inflammation and reduce disease risk. Oysters also have libido-boosting effect and are beneficial to sexual health in men. Severe cases of zinc deficiency can lead to impotence.
A cup of raw oysters contains 650 percent of the recommended daily value of zinc, 362 percent of the recommended daily intake of B-12, 13 percent of riboflavin and 11 percent of niacin. They are also a good source of vitamins including vitamins A, B, C, and D, and a good source of complete proteins which means they contain all of the essential amino acids.
Chinese medicine regards oysters as neutral in nature, sweet and salty in taste and beneficial to the liver and kidneys. Oysters have been used to promote yang, nourish blood, check excessive perspiration and premature ejaculation, cure tuberculosis of the lymph nodes and reduce stress. Oyster shells have also been used for anti-tumor and anti-infection treatment.
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Most people either love oysters or hate them. Oysters are a decent source of low fat protein. Six medium oysters contain about six grams of protein. This protein is high in quality and is easier to digest than chicken and beef. According to the Resources Defense Council, oysters are one of the least contaminated types of seafood. Unlike some fish-farming operations, oyster farms can actually improve the quality of oceans and bays. That's because the oysters in offshore farms will feed on particulate matter and nutrients that might otherwise pollute waterways. Despite the perception that oysters are high in cholesterol, they actually contain only around 50 mg. of cholesterol per serving which is well within the recommendation of less than 300 mg. per day. Six medium oysters has only one gram of saturated fat and 57 calories.
When oysters are eaten raw, they may contain Vibrio bacteria that can cause illness, particularly in those with a weakened immune system. The best way to reduce this risk is to cook oysters to well done. Here is a delicious and easy to make recipe which only takes about 10 minutes.
Oyster and Egg Pancake
Therapeutic Effects
Improves immune system, promotes yang, and improves overall health.
Ingredients
(4 servings)
- Oysters – 16 oz. or 473 ml or about 10 large ones
- Green onion – 2
- Coriander – 2 to 3 branches
- Eggs – 2
- Sweet potato starch – 5 large table spoons
- Fish sauce – 3 table spoons
- White pepper – 1 tea spoon
Directions
- Rinse oysters and put in a mixing bowl. Mix oysters with 2 table spoons of salt by hand for a couple of minutes so that the slime and dark materials are coming off. Rinse and repeat the process with 2 table spoons of corn starch to clean oysters the second time. Rinse and drain.
- Remove and discard the coin shape hard muscle of each oyster and cut each oyster into 6 to 8 pieces. Put them in a mixing bowl.
- Rinse and finely cut green onion and coriander and add to the bowl.
- Add in potato starch, fish sauce, white pepper, one spoon of oil and ¾ cup of water. Mix content well.
- Beat eggs in a separate container and keep aside.
- Heat 3 spoons of oil in a non-stick pan and pour in half of the oyster mixture. Let it cook to slightly brown on the bottom (about 5 minutes) and use the spatula to cut pancake into 4 quarters. Add a little bit of oil right in the middle and then pour half of the egg mixture on top. The egg will flow through the cracks and around the edges of the pancake. When egg is slightly brown, turn each quarter piece upside down to brown the top side. When both sides are brown and oysters are cooked, transfer pancake to serving plate.
- Repeat the cooking process for the other half of the ingredients to make the second pancake.
- Sever hot with extra fish sauce mixing with a pinch of white pepper as dipping sauce if necessary.
Usage
No restrictions
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Featured image from www.FastCoExist.com
Chayote for Soothing the Respiratory Tract
By Vicky Chan of NourishU
Chayote, also known as closing-palm gourd, is very popular in Chinese cuisine for making soups and stews. It is because the gourd is neutral in nature, mild in taste and is very soothing to the internal respiratory tract and lungs. Especially during the winter months when most people easily catch cold or flu and end up with prolong cough, dry mouth and throat, and lots of phlegm; a soothing chayote soup can help to give some relief and speed up the healing process.
Chayote is a good source of vitamin C. It is also widely grown in Mexico and Latin America. It is used mostly in cooked forms but can also be eaten raw in salads and salsas though the raw ones are often regarded as unpalatable and tough in texture. Whether chayote is eaten raw or cooked, the skin has to be peeled because it is slightly toxic. Here is an easy recipe that puts together all the best ingredients to make a winter soothing soup for the whole family.
Chayote, Snow-Ear Mushroom and Pork Soup
Therapeutic Effects
- Soothes throat and lungs
- Clears phlegm
- Promotes vital fluids
- Lubricates skin
Ingredients
(4 to 6 servings)
- Lean pork/pork with bone - 250gm (chopped into smaller pieces)
- Chayote 合掌瓜 - three
- Carrot – 3 to 4
- Snow-ear mushroom - 2
- Ginger – 3 slices
- Apricot kernel – one handful
- Mandarin Peel – one piece (soaked with white tissue removed)
- Honey dates 蜜棗 – 4
1. Rinse pork and put in boiling water to cook for a few minutes, remove and rinse.
2. Soak snow-ear mushroom for about 10 minutes, cut and remove stem at the bottom and separate mushroom into smaller pieces and rinse.
3. Peel chayote, cut into halves, remove pit and cut into pieces. Peel carrot and cut into pieces. Rinse other ingredients.
4. Bring half pot of water in a soup pot to boil and put in all ingredients to boil for about 15 minutes. Reduce heat and let it simmer for at least 2 hours.
5. Add salt to serve and eat content with soup.
Usage
No restrictions. Suitable for the whole family.
Chayote for Soothing the Respiratory Tract : NourishU
Job’s Tears and Red Beans For Longevity
By Vicky Chan of NourishU
Job’s tears are commonly known as Chinese pearl barley or coix. They are the seed of a grass, grown mostly in Asia and are well known for their many health benefits.
Chinese Medicine classifies the nature of Job’s tears as slightly cold and sweet and they are attributive to spleen, stomach, lungs, liver, and large intestine. They are known to promote diuresis and invigorate the spleen; relieve dampness obstruction and eliminate phlegm. They can also clear away heat and drain pus. Job's tears are a superior herb, proven and safe and commonly used for treating babies with heat rashes, children with smallpox and skin allergies and adults with arthritis, high cholesterol, obesity, scanty urine, swelling and pain in joints and sinews, rheumatism, lung infections, cough with blood in sputum and dry scaly skin. They are almost like an all-encompassing herb which can do so much good for our health.
Modern scientific research has confirmed the anti-allergic effect and cholesterol lowering properties of Job’s tears. Some research suggests that the chemicals in Job's tears might interfere with cancer cell growth, has antioxidant effects and might also decrease the growth of bacteria and parasites. Other research has found that the fiber contained in Job's tears might decrease how much fat and cholesterol the body absorbs.
In order to get the best results from Job’s tears, it is recommended to eat them regularly. There are many ways and recipes incorporating Job`s tears in our everyday diet. They can be made into tea, soups, desserts or stews. Please search our website (www.nourishu.com) to see many recipes using Job’s tears to cure many different health problems.
With many middle age people nowadays suffering from high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease, one common root cause of their problems is internal dampness or water logging in cells. The following recipe of using Job’s tears and red bean is the best natural cure to solve their health woes. In many Chinese Medicine literatures, this recipe is highly praised as the one thing to take daily for health and longevity. The basic recipe can be extended depending on one`s needs by adding one or two extra ingredients to give added benefits. This is the healthiest breakfast replacement to the unhealthy food that most people are eating daily such as milk and cereals, instant oatmeal, bread and baked goods.
And it is very easy to make. You just need to put the ingredients in a slow cooker and start the cooking before you go to bed and then you have this healthy hot breakfast waiting for you when you get up in the morning. It is especially comforting during winter time to have a hot breakfast before heading out into the cold. You can make it as thick or as watery as you like. You may drink the liquid as a beverage and strain the grains to eat separately at lunch by adding them to a salad or eat them together as a hot thick cereal. You can make a batch good enough for up to two to three days if it is easier for you. Please note: never add rice to this recipe because it will defeat the purpose of using it as a diuretic because rice is bonding and will do the opposite!
Job’s Tears and Red Bean Soup
Symptoms
Overweight, water retention, poor digestive health.
Therapeutic Effects
Releases water retention, promotes energy circulation and reduces body fat and overall body weight.
Ingredients (for 2 to 3 servings)
- Job’s tears (yi yi ren) 意米 – half cup
- Red beans – half cup
Optional Ingredients
- add pumpkin – to treat diabetes, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea
- add yam – to treat underweight and lack of appetite
- add fox nut – to treat weak constitution, weak kidney functions and frequent urination
- add ginger – to treat cold stomach syndrome with cold hands and feet
- add black bean – to strengthen kidney
- add soy bean – to treat water retention in lower legs and feet
- add pear – to treat cough
- add longan fruit – to treat lack of energy and over sleeping
- add lily bulb and lotus seed – to treat insomnia
Directions
- Rinse all ingredients and put in a pot with adequate water. If using a slow heat cooker, start off the cooking with hot boiling water.
- Bring to a boil and lower heat to medium and cook for one hour or to desire softness.
- When ready to eat, add honey or organic sugar to taste if preferred.
Usage
No limitations and suitable for all ages.