Eating beans is better than eating meat, especially since fresh spring beans are tender, fragrant, and at their peak nutritional quality. Besides being the leader in protein content among vegetables, fresh beans are also rich in various vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making them a low-fat, high-nutrient ingredient.
Peas are excellent for eye health
Hao Mengzhong, a standing council member of the Jilin Provincial Health Association: Peas are a seasonal vegetable with round, fresh, and vibrant green grains, making them very attractive. Peas are not just about their looks; they are rich in vitamin A, offering therapeutic benefits for eye health. Additionally, their vitamin C content is much higher than that of dried beans, making them delicious and helpful for boosting immunity.
Office workers who stare at computers all day can enjoy a protective eye-healthy meal by stir-frying peas, carrots, and corn together. It's not only colorful and delicious but also nutritious, effectively relieving dryness and discomfort in the eyes. Children and the elderly can also eat it, as it is nutritious and easy to digest. I also recommend a nutritious and healthy staple: Pea Rice. Add washed peas to the rice when it's almost cooked, stir, and continue cooking. Once done, add shredded onion and cooked lean meat, cover, and let it steam for a while longer. At this point, the grain protein from the rice, the legume protein from the peas, and the animal protein from the lean meat complement each other, providing comprehensive nutrition, making it suitable for office workers and students.
When buying peas, choose fresh, dark green, and glossy beans. Pinch one; a tender one will release water, while an old one will be hard.
Broad Bean Soup is both fresh and fragrant
Chen Yanli, Deputy Director of the Nutrition Department at the Navy General Hospital: Broad beans are sweet in nature and neutral, nourishing the spleen and stomach. They are also rich in zinc, phospholipids, and choline, which have a brain-boosting effect, making them especially suitable for mental workers.
Broad beans should not be eaten raw. They can be stir-fried or used in congee. I prefer to make soup with broad beans and recommend a Broad Bean and Vermicelli Egg Soup. Heat oil in a wok, add minced ginger after the oil is hot, then add washed broad beans and stir-fry until they change color and become fragrant. Add an appropriate amount of water and bring to a boil. Soaked vermicelli is then added. When the broad beans and vermicelli are fully cooked, pour in the beaten egg. Before serving, add a little salt. I also like to add some white pepper and chopped scallions to enhance the flavor.
When purchasing, choose large, plump beans that are not blackened or infested with pests. This ensures they are fresh and tender. When cooking broad beans at home, be sure to cook them thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. Also, don't eat too much at once, as it can easily cause bloating. Note that some people are allergic to broad beans, which can cause favism (an acute hemolytic disease). These individuals must avoid them.
Snow Pea Salad is refreshing
Chen Zhikun, a Senior Chef and Level II Public Nutritionist: The tender, fleshy, and juicy pods of snow peas are my favorite, and spring snow peas are exceptionally crisp, tender, and fresh.
Unlike peas and broad beans, we mainly eat the pods of snow peas. The B vitamins and vitamin C in the pods are water-soluble and can be easily lost during high-temperature cooking. Therefore, I recommend a Snow Pea Salad. Wash the snow peas, cut them into sections, blanch them quickly, and then mix them with red and green sweet peppers and your favorite fruits to make a fruit and vegetable salad. It's colorful, incredibly refreshing, and has the effects of reducing internal heat, replenishing fluids, and beautifying the skin.
In addition to being rich in vitamins, snow peas are also high in dietary fiber, which can lower cholesterol and promote intestinal peristalsis, aiding in bowel regularity. When buying snow peas, choose those with a deep color and a glossy appearance. Gently squeeze the pod to check if the peas inside are of uniform size. Snow peas are not suitable for long-term storage; it's best to buy and eat them fresh.