Summer Cooling Soup: A Delicious Dishes for Clearing Heat and Relieving Internal Heat

Summer Cooling Soup: A Delicious Dishes for Clearing Heat and Relieving Internal Heat

In the sweltering summer heat, a bowl of refreshing, delicious, and nourishing soup not only quenches thirst but also replenishes essential nutrients. Today's "Summer Cooling Soup," featuring a blend of various ingredients, is both light and delicious, making it a perfect choice for your summer dinner.

Ingredients (Serves 2-3)

This soup is distinguished by its diverse combination of ingredients, each carefully selected to create a rich and nutritious flavor:

Winter melon: 500g (clears heat and promotes diuresis)

Fresh straw mushrooms: 8 (adds umami flavor)

Mushrooms: as needed (shiitake and king oyster mushrooms are recommended)

Sweet corn: 2 (adds sweetness to the soup)

Meatballs: 10 (can be substituted with salted pork)

Salted bamboo shoots (flat tips): as needed (for umami flavor)

Black fungus: as needed (for dietary fiber)

Cooking Instructions

Preparing: Wash all ingredients thoroughly. Peel and dice the winter melon, cut the corn into sections, halve the straw mushrooms, and prepare other mushrooms according to size.

Simmering: Place all ingredients, except the winter melon, in a casserole dish and add ample water (approximately 2 liters). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and simmer for 40-50 minutes, until the soup turns an attractive milky white.

Final Step: Once the soup base is thickened, add the winter melon cubes. Bring to a boil again and immediately turn off the heat. Let the winter melon simmer until translucent in the residual heat, preserving its refreshing taste.

Cooking Tips

Using a clay pot will better preserve the original flavors of the ingredients and enhance the soup's flavor.

If using bacon instead of meatballs, it's recommended to blanch it first to remove excess salt.

Adding the winter melon last preserves its refreshing texture and prevents it from being overcooked.

Add goji berries or red dates to enhance sweetness, depending on your taste.

This soup is not only simple to prepare but also nutritionally balanced, rich in vitamins and minerals. The heat-clearing properties of the winter melon complement the savory aroma of the mushrooms, while the sweetness of the corn counteracts the salty umami of the bamboo shoots. The resulting flavors blend seamlessly, relieving summer heat and stimulating the appetite. Perfect for those summer days when appetite is low, this dish brings a refreshing and healthy touch to your family.

It's best enjoyed with a light main course, such as multi-grain rice or whole-wheat steamed buns, for a satisfying meal without overloading your stomach. While it's best refrigerated, it's best consumed the same day for optimal flavor.