"Eat These 3 Foods on Minor Heat Day for Health and Prosperity" – What Are the 3 Foods to Eat on July 7th, and How to Prepare Them?

July 7th marks Minor Heat (Xiao Shu) in the lunar calendar, signaling the gradual arrival of the hottest days of summer. As the old saying goes, "Eat three things on Minor Heat Day, and even if you don’t gain wealth, you’ll enjoy good health." This age-old wisdom carries the simplest yet most profound advice for nurturing the body during the scorching season. Today, let’s explore these three humble yet nourishing foods and how they can help us stay cool and healthy during Minor Heat.

1. Dumplings: Wrapping Up Fortune and Coolness

Dumplings, shaped like ancient silver ingots, symbolize wealth and family reunion. Eating them during Minor Heat expresses the wish for a peaceful and comfortable summer. The filling, however, should be light and refreshing to suit the season. A cucumber-clam-egg dumpling is the perfect choice for hot weather.

Recipe: Cucumber-Clam-Egg Dumplings

Ingredients:

• 1 small bowl of fresh clam meat

• 3 eggs

• 2 tender cucumbers

• Dumpling wrappers (as needed)

• Chopped scallions, minced ginger

• Salt, light soy sauce, sesame oil, cooking oil

Instructions:

1. Rinse and drain the clam meat. Beat the eggs, scramble them in a pan, then chop finely. Shred the cucumbers, sprinkle with salt, let sit briefly, and squeeze out excess water.

2. Mix cucumber shreds, scrambled eggs, clam meat, scallions, and ginger. Season with salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, and cooking oil. Stir well.

3. Fill dumpling wrappers with the mixture, sealing the edges tightly.

4. Boil water in a pot, add dumplings, and cook until they float and the wrappers turn translucent.

The crisp sweetness of cucumber, the tender juiciness of clams, and the rich aroma of eggs blend harmoniously, creating a refreshing and satisfying bite. Clams are rich in zinc, cucumbers clear heat and promote hydration, while eggs replenish energy without causing heatiness—making this dish ideal for Minor Heat. (Tip: Squeeze cucumber shreds well to avoid soggy dumplings.)

2. Noodles: Smooth and Long, Easing Summer Woes

A folk saying goes, "Eat dumplings in the first ‘Fu’ (dog days), and noodles in the second." As Minor Heat approaches the hottest period, a bowl of slurp-worthy noodles symbolizes smooth days ahead while being gentle on digestion. A classic homemade Zhajiangmian (fried sauce noodles) with rich sauce and fresh toppings is perfect for summer appetites.

Recipe: Homemade Zhajiangmian

Ingredients:

• 200g minced pork belly

• 2 tbsp each of fermented soybean paste and sweet bean sauce

• Hand-pulled noodles

• Toppings: cucumber shreds, green beans, blanched bean sprouts, carrot shreds

• Minced garlic, ginger, scallions

• Cooking wine, a pinch of sugar

Instructions:

1. Mix soybean paste and sweet bean sauce with a little water to thin.

2. Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry pork belly until golden and crispy. Add cooking wine to remove gaminess. Toss in minced garlic, ginger, and scallions for fragrance.

3. Pour in the diluted sauce, simmer on low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until the oil turns red and glossy. Add a pinch of sugar for balance.

4. Cook noodles, rinse in cold water, and drain. Serve topped with sauce and fresh toppings.

The savory, umami-rich sauce coats every strand of chewy noodles, while the crisp vegetables add refreshing contrast—a bite instantly dispels summer lethargy. (Key tip: Slow-frying the sauce ensures depth without bitterness.)

3. Lotus Root: Moistening Dryness, Calming the Mind

Minor Heat brings oppressive humidity, which can irritate the mind. Lotus root, grown in water, carries a natural cooling property, making it an excellent food for relieving restlessness. Rich in mucilage and fiber, it also aids digestion. A soothing lotus root-peanut-lily pork heart soup is the ultimate summer comfort.

Recipe: Lotus Root-Peanut-Lily Pork Heart Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 section lotus root (about 400g)

• Half a pork heart

• A handful of peanuts

• 15g dried lily bulbs

• 10g goji berries

• 3-4 ginger slices

• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Clean the pork heart, slice thickly, blanch in cold water (with ginger and cooking wine), then rinse off impurities.

2. Peel and cut lotus root into chunks. Soak peanuts and dried lily bulbs briefly (skip if using fresh). Rinse goji berries.

3. Combine pork heart, lotus root, peanuts, lily bulbs, and ginger in a pot with ample water.

4. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1–1.5 hours. Add goji berries in the last 10 minutes. Season with salt.

The clear, mildly sweet broth, tender lotus root, creamy peanuts, and delicate pork heart create a nourishing harmony. Each sip soothes summer-induced irritability. (Tip: Blanch pork heart thoroughly for a clean broth; choose starchy lotus root for melt-in-the-mouth texture.)

Conclusion

Though the heat of Minor Heat is intense, these three dishes—dumplings bursting with freshness, silky-smooth noodles, and velvety lotus root soup—act as a culinary refuge. Rooted in the ancient principle of "eating seasonally," they remind us to align with nature’s rhythms and care for our well-being. This Minor Heat, let these flavors be your shield against the sweltering days ahead.

(Note: If additional content is needed to reach 800 words, further elaboration on health benefits, cultural significance, or alternative recipes can be included.)