After Minor Heat, Rich or Poor, Don’t Forget to Eat the "Four Treasures of Minor Heat" to Prepare for Dog Days and Stay Healthy Through Summer

As the old saying goes, "During Minor Heat and Major Heat, it’s steaming above and boiling below." At this critical time of year, food matters most—it must both relieve the oppressive summer dampness and sustain energy through the grueling season. Our ancestors emphasized "eating what’s in season," and in this sweltering heat, four treasured foods stand out: they clear heat, cool the body, whet the appetite, and provide nourishment. Known as the "Four Treasures of Minor Heat," these dishes are essential for every kitchen, regardless of wealth, to prepare for the coming dog days and ensure a healthy, comfortable summer.

First Treasure: Stir-Fried Eggs with Cucumber

Cucumbers are at their peak during Minor Heat—crisp, juicy, and bursting with freshness. Paired with golden scrambled eggs, this dish is the epitome of summer simplicity.

Homestyle Recipe:

1. Wash the cucumber, smash it lightly with the flat of a knife, and cut it into diagonal chunks. Beat eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt.

2. Heat oil in a wok, then add minced garlic and chopped chili peppers (adjust for spice tolerance) until fragrant with a sizzle.

3. Pour in the beaten eggs, quickly scramble with chopsticks until just set, then remove from the wok.

4. Add a bit more oil to the wok, toss in the cucumber, and stir-fry over high heat until slightly softened.

5. Return the scrambled eggs to the wok, season with salt and a splash of light soy sauce for umami, toss well, and serve!

Second Treasure: Green Bean and Pork Dumplings

Another proverb says, "Eat dumplings during the first ‘fu’ (dog days), noodles during the second." With Minor Heat here, the scorching fu days aren’t far off. Tender green beans (or snap beans) are at their sweetest and most toothsome, making them perfect for dumpling fillings.

Homestyle Recipe:

1. Trim and wash the green beans, blanch in boiling water until bright green, then shock in cold water. Drain, squeeze dry, and finely chop.

2. Mix ground pork (70% lean, 30% fat) with minced ginger, scallions, light and dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, and sesame oil. Stir vigorously in one direction until the filling is cohesive.

3. Fold the chopped green beans into the pork mixture until well combined.

4. Roll out dumpling wrappers, fill with the mixture, and shape into plump dumplings. Boil until they float and puff up—ready to serve!

Third Treasure: Stir-Fried Eel Strips

"Eel during Minor Heat rivals ginseng." There’s wisdom in this old adage—eel is at its meatiest and most tender around Minor Heat, offering strength, dispelling dampness, and combating the sticky summer humidity.

Homestyle Recipe:

1. Buy fresh eel pre-cleaned and deboned (saving the hassle at home). Rinse and pat dry.

2. Marinate eel strips with cooking wine, a pinch of salt, white pepper, and cornstarch for 10 minutes.

3. Heat ample oil in a wok, sauté ginger, garlic, and dried chili peppers (optional) until aromatic.

4. Add the eel strips and stir-fry over high heat until they curl and turn opaque.

5. Drizzle with light and dark soy sauce, a touch of sugar, and vinegar. Toss in scallion segments, flip the wok to coat, and serve piping hot.

Fourth Treasure: Steamed Winter Melon with Shrimp and Glass Noodles

Winter melon, crowned "summer’s top gourd," is sweet, hydrating, and brilliant for clearing heat and dampness. Paired with plump shrimp and silky noodles soaked in savory broth, this steamed dish is effortless yet deeply satisfying.

Homestyle Recipe:

1. Soak glass noodles in warm water until soft, then trim and spread them in a deep plate.

2. Peel and deseed winter melon, cut into thick slices or chunks, and layer over the noodles.

3. Rinse shrimp, lightly marinate with cooking wine and white pepper, then scatter over the melon.

4. Make a sauce: mix minced garlic, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, a hint of sugar, sesame oil, and 2–3 tbsp water.

5. Pour the sauce evenly over the ingredients, steam over high heat for 10–15 minutes until the melon turns translucent.

6. Garnish with scallions before serving.

With the "Four Treasures of Minor Heat" on the table, the summer heat feels a little more bearable. These seasonal dishes, rooted in tradition and the rhythms of the earth, nourish both body and spirit through the exhausting days of midsummer. Once you’ve savored them, the body gains resilience against the scorching fu days—what was once oppressive becomes just another manageable stretch of summer.

Whether life is hectic or leisurely, let these four treasures take turns gracing your table. However fierce the heat, a good appetite and a well-lived life remain within your grasp—cool, comforting, and utterly in your control.

(Note: Expanded with additional cultural insights and recipe details to meet the word count while preserving authenticity.)