What are the best bar snacks
Everyone knows that drinking heavily or on an empty stomach is bad for your health. However, many people may not know which bar snacks are beneficial to the body and which ones are like "adding fuel to the fire," potentially causing adverse effects. A nutritionist from Jinhua Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine says that the choice of bar snacks is very particular. So, what are the best bar snacks? The following categories of dishes are considered the best bar snacks by nutritionists. For this reason, the reporter invited Wu Jianming, the head chef of Hong Lou Shan Fang, and Chen Shihua, a cold dish chef, to introduce their preparation methods.
Best Bar Snack No. 1: Sweet and Sour Dishes
The main component of alcohol is ethanol, which must be broken down and converted by the liver in the human body before it can be excreted. This places a burden on the liver. Sugar has a certain protective effect on the liver and blood circulation. Therefore, it's best to have one or two sweet dishes as bar snacks, such as Sweet and Sour Shredded Vegetables, Candied Yam, Candied Apple, Sweet and Sour Fish, Sweet and Sour Peanuts, etc.
Sweet and Sour Peanuts
Main ingredients: Peanuts
Ingredients: Ketchup, red Zhejiang vinegar, plum sauce, dried tofu (take two pieces and dice them), coriander, sugar, white vinegar, aged vinegar, and a little orange juice
Preparation method: (1) Fry the peanuts until cooked; (2) Mix ketchup, red Zhejiang vinegar, plum sauce, dried tofu, sugar, white vinegar, aged vinegar, and a little orange juice to a slightly thick consistency; (3) Pour the mixture into the cooked peanuts and mix well. Garnish with some coriander.
Candied Yam
Main ingredients: Yam
Ingredients: Starch, flour, sugar
Preparation method: (1) Cut the yam into diamond shapes or strips; (2) Mix starch and flour into a batter, coat the yam with it, then fry in a wok and set aside; (3) Put about 200 grams of sugar into a wok, add water until the sugar is just covered, and simmer the sugar over medium-low heat until it turns golden brown; (4) Put the yam into the wok, toss to coat evenly, and plate when it's coated with syrup.
When serving the candied yam, a bowl of cold water should be placed on the side. Dip the candied yam into the cold water before eating.
The preparation method for candied apple is the same as for candied yam.
Best Bar Snack No. 2: Cold-dressed Seaweed, Shitake and Rape, etc.
Alcohol has a diuretic effect. Heavy drinking and frequent urination can lead to the loss of inorganic salts such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium, resulting in symptoms like acidosis and alcohol poisoning. Eating some cold-dressed seaweed, shitake and rape, etc., can stabilize water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, and also prevent alcohol poisoning.
Shitake and Rape
Main ingredients: Bok choy, rape
Ingredients: Oyster sauce, sugar, soy sauce
Preparation method: (1) Soak the mushrooms in water until they expand; (2) Bring water to a boil in a wok, blanch the bok choy for a moment, then also blanch the expanded mushrooms; (3) Heat oil in a wok, stir-fry the bok choy until cooked and arrange it on a plate; (4) Put oyster sauce, sugar, and soy sauce into the wok, add an appropriate amount of water, add the mushrooms, and simmer until the sauce thickens. Place the mushrooms on the bok choy and drizzle with a little oil.
Cold-dressed Seaweed
Main ingredients: Seaweed
Ingredients: Garlic, chopped green onions, sesame oil, chili, salt, MSG, vinegar
Preparation method: (1) Cut the seaweed into strips, blanch in boiling water, then rinse with cold water; (2) Mix with garlic, chopped green onions, sesame oil, chili, salt, MSG, and vinegar, then serve. Some white sesame seeds can be sprinkled on top.
Best Bar Snack No. 3: Stewed Chicken, Tofu Dishes, etc.
Any alcohol contains acetaldehyde, a toxic substance. Tofu contains an important amino acid that can detoxify acetaldehyde and help excrete it from the body. Therefore, eating tofu while drinking or after drinking is very beneficial.
It is understood that choline in meat and soybeans, and taurine in seafood, can prevent alcohol in the liver from being stored as fat. Dishes like home-style tofu, stewed chicken, and braised ribs are undoubtedly ideal bar snacks.
Stewed Chicken
Main ingredients: Hen
Ingredients: Mushrooms or black fungus, ginger, green onion, salt, cooking wine
Preparation method: (1) Place the hen in a casserole pot, add enough water to cover it, add ginger, green onion, and cooking wine, and simmer the chicken over low heat until cooked; (2) Then add salt, chicken essence, mushrooms or black fungus, and simmer the chicken until tender; (3) Remove the ginger and green onion from the pot, add a few small green vegetables, and cook for a while.
It should be noted that the chicken is best not to be "simmered" in a pressure cooker, as it will not be fragrant. Chicken is best simmered in a casserole pot. Also, roosters are not suitable for stewing because they become dry and tough. Roosters are better suited for stir-frying and braising.
Best Bar Snack No. 4: Shellfish Dishes
Shellfish are nutritionally balanced and have a remarkable detoxifying effect. For example, the protein content of scallops can be compared to that of eggs. Because they contain essential amino acids that do not burden the liver, they can help restore liver function. Therefore, eating some shellfish dishes, such as steamed scallops with garlic, while drinking can allow the taurine in the food to combine with bile acids, activating the liver's detoxification function.
Steamed Scallops with Garlic
Main ingredients: Garlic, scallops
Ingredients: Vermicelli, chopped green onions, salt, MSG
Preparation method: (1) Place a piece of vermicelli under each scallop; (2) Mash the garlic into a paste, fry it in oil until golden, add salt and MSG, then place it on each cleaned scallop; (3) Steam the scallops in a steamer. After they are cooked, place chopped green onions on top and pour hot oil over them.
Best Bar Snack No. 5: Curry Dishes
Curry dishes all contain turmeric, which can stimulate the appetite. Turmeric has been widely used since ancient times as a medicine to treat jaundice, liver, and gastrointestinal problems. Turmeric contains curcumin, which has detoxifying effects and promotes bile secretion. Curry dishes, such as curry chicken and curry beef, are very effective for liver damage caused by alcohol.
Best Bar Snack No. 6: Liver Dishes
Alcohol must be broken down in the liver, and this metabolic process requires the participation of multiple vitamins. The vitamin A content in animal livers such as pork liver and duck liver far exceeds that in dairy, eggs, meat, fish, and other foods. At the same time, they also contain vitamin B2 and various trace elements that can accelerate alcohol breakdown. For example, stir-fried pork liver with green peppers.