Introduction: During the hot summer, the body experiences significant strain and is prone to fatigue. Coupled with a tendency to seek coolness, such as staying in air-conditioned rooms or consuming raw and cold foods, it can lead to internal heat and dampness, which depletes body fluids and results in a poor appetite. Experts recommend eating congee in the summer heat to prevent heatstroke, lower body temperature, nourish the stomach, and calm the mind.
Bitter Melon Congee:
100g bitter melon, 20g rock sugar, 2g fine salt, 100g japonica rice.
To prepare, deseed the bitter melon and dice it. Place the diced melon and the washed japonica rice in a pot. Add an appropriate amount of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then add the rock sugar and salt. Reduce the heat and simmer into a thin congee. Bitter melon has the effects of clearing summer heat, detoxifying, calming the mind, and improving vision, making it very suitable for summer consumption.
Five-Bean Congee
Ingredients: 25g soybeans, 25g mung beans, 25g red beans, 25g black beans, 25g fried hyacinth beans, 50g purple rice, 100g rice.
Method: (1) Wash the beans and soak them in clean water for at least 4 hours. (2) Place the soaked beans in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Turn off the heat. Do not open the lid; let the congee steam in the pot for 15-20 minutes. The five-bean congee is now ready.
Effects: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the five colors correspond to the five organs. Five-bean congee is rich in protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins B1, B2, B6, and A. Mung beans clear summer heat and generate fluids; red beans reduce swelling and promote urination; fried hyacinth beans strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea; black beans relieve irritability and detoxify. Five-bean congee has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, strengthening the spleen, and harmonizing the stomach.
Chrysanthemum and Coix Seed Congee
Ingredients: 25g chrysanthemums, 100g coix seeds, appropriate amount of dried tangerine peel and honey.
Method: (1) Wash the dried tangerine peel and shred it; wash the coix seeds and soak them briefly; wash the chrysanthemums and separate the petals. (2) Place the coix seeds and shredded tangerine peel in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water and bring to a boil. Add the chrysanthemums, reduce the heat, and simmer into a congee.
Effects: Chrysanthemums can clear the liver and improve vision, while coix seeds promote urination and expel dampness. This congee helps to clear heat and expel dampness and is particularly suitable for red, swollen, and painful eyes, dizziness, and headaches caused by staying up late.
Watermelon Peel Congee
200g watermelon peel, 100g japonica rice, 30g sugar.
Peel the hard outer skin of the watermelon, dice it, and cook with the japonica rice. First, bring to a boil over high heat, then turn to low heat to cook into a congee. Add sugar and serve. Watermelon peel has the effects of clearing summer heat, relieving summer heat, promoting urination, and reducing swelling.
Ingredients: 10 red dates, 30g lily bulb, 10g ophiopogon japonicus, appropriate amount of rice.
Preparation: Wash all ingredients, add an appropriate amount of water, and cook into a congee.
Effects: It has the effects of nourishing the spirit, replenishing qi, clearing the heart, nourishing blood, and calming the mind. It can improve symptoms like palpitations and dizziness, and also nourishes the blood and strengthens the body.
Ingredients: 3 bananas, 100g glutinous rice, appropriate amount of rock sugar.
Method:
1. Peel the bananas and cut them into cubes.
2. Place the rice in a pot of boiling water. Add the peeled banana cubes and rock sugar, and simmer into a congee.
Effects: Can clear heat and moisten the intestines, harmonize the stomach, and strengthen the spleen.