With the cold wind blowing, on December 22nd, we are about to usher in an important solar term in the 24 solar terms of the Chinese lunar calendar - the winter solstice, on this day, the sun shines directly on the southernmost part of the earth, the northern hemisphere has the shortest day and the longest night.
The origin of the winter solstice can be traced back to ancient China, when people observed natural phenomena and found that at this time of year, the sun shines for the shortest time and the night is the longest, so this day is designated as the winter solstice.
In traditional Chinese Xi, the winter solstice is a day of family reunion. On this day, no matter where they are, people will return home as much as possible to spend this important day with their families.
People in the northern region have the Xi of eating dumplings, while in the southern region they have the Xi of eating rice balls, which symbolize reunion and family harmony and happiness.
The winter solstice is a good time to maintain health, the winter solstice is the time when the yin energy is at its peak, and it is also the time when the yang energy begins to grow.
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In this solar term, people have the Xi of eating dumplings, rice balls and other foods, and in the north, eating beef has become an indispensable tradition, why eat beef on the winter solstice?What are the nutritional values and health benefits of beef?
Beef is warm and has a good warming effect, which can help people resist the cold in the cold winter and enhance the body's resistance, beef is rich in protein, fat, minerals and vitamins and other nutrients, which can effectively supplement nutrition for people who are weak and malnourished.
Recommended method: Beef stew with potatoes
1. Choose fresh ingredients. Potatoes should be selected with a firm texture and free of pests and diseases;For beef, choose one with clear muscle texture and bright red color.
2. Cut the beef into pieces, soak it in water for half an hour, remove the blood, cut the potatoes into pieces, slice the garlic, and slice the ginger.
3. Boil a pot of hot water, blanch the beef pieces in hot water, remove and set aside, heat the pan with cold oil, add sugar, and slowly fry over low heat until the sugar dissolves and the color turns red.
4. Add the beef cubes, stir-fry over high heat to evenly coat the beef cubes with sugar, add garlic and ginger slices, and continue to stir-fry.
5. Add cooking wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, put in the braised pork bun, add the chopped potato cubes, carrot cubes and onion cubes, stir-fry evenly.
6. Add water, the amount of water should not exceed all the ingredients, turn to low heat and simmer slowly after boiling, simmer until the beef and potatoes are cooked thoroughly, add an appropriate amount of salt to taste, stir-fry evenly and then get out of the pot.
With the arrival of the winter solstice, the temperature gradually decreases, and people begin to pay attention to how to keep their bodies warm during this cold season. In China, there is a traditional Xi to eat lamb on the winter solstice to replenish the calories and nutrients needed by the body.
Mutton has a good warming effect. In the cold winter, the body's yang energy is relatively weak, and it is easy to have symptoms such as cold hands and feet, lack of qi and blood. The mutton is warm, which can replenish the kidney yang and warm the qi.
Recommended method: Stir-fried lamb with green onions
1. Cut the lamb into thin slices, add an appropriate amount of cooking wine, light soy sauce, pepper and salt, stir well, and marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Cut the green onions, slice the ginger, mince the garlic, and use the Shandong Zhangqiu green onions, which are spicy and sweet, and the neutralization flavor is very good.
3. Heat the pan, add an appropriate amount of cooking oil, add the peppercorns and stir-fry until fragrant, remove the peppercorns and discard.
4. Add the marinated mutton slices, stir-fry quickly over medium heat until the mutton changes color, remove and set aside.
5. Leave the bottom oil in the pot, add the ginger slices, minced garlic and dried chili peppers and stir-fry until fragrant.
6. Add the fried mutton slices, add an appropriate amount of light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar and salt, stir-fry evenly, so that the mutton can fully absorb the flavor of the seasoning.
7. Finally, add the green onions, stir-fry evenly, and sprinkle some pepper before leaving the pan to enhance the flavor.
There is a folk saying: "If you don't serve a dumpling bowl on the winter solstice, no one cares if you freeze your ears", which vividly depicts the importance of eating dumplings on the winter solstice. So, why do you have to eat dumplings on the day of the winter solstice?What are the stories and morals of this?
The winter solstice is the time when yang energy begins to recover, and the shape of dumplings resembles ancient gold ingots, symbolizing wealth and good fortune. Eating dumplings on the day of the winter solstice means praying for good fortune and family harmony in the coming year.
Secondly, the process of making dumplings is also a process of reunion. The family sits together, making dumplings, cooking dumplings, and spending this warm time together. This atmosphere of reunion also makes people cherish the warmth of the family more and enhance family affection.
The fillings of dumplings are rich and diverse, both meat and vegetarian, this diversity also symbolizes people's yearning and pursuit of a better life, on the day of the winter solstice, by tasting various flavors of dumplings, people are also expressing their good expectations for the future life.