Essential Alkaline Foods

Maintaining a balanced diet rich in alkaline foods is key to overall wellness. These ten dishes are not only delicious but also help balance your body's pH levels naturally. They are simple to prepare and perfect for incorporating into your daily routine. The final dish is particularly beneficial for older adults.

1. Savory Steamed Whole Eggs with Soy Sauce

This internet-famous steamed egg dish is surprisingly delicious and packed with protein. Simply mix 1 tablespoon chopped scallions, 2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 2 tablespoons water, and 1 tablespoon cooking oil. Pour into a bowl, crack in four eggs without beating, and steam for 6 minutes. The result is a high-protein, satisfying dish that's light and healthy.

2. Blanched Lettuce with Special Dressing

Blanching lettuce this way makes it more delicious than rich meats. Soak cut lettuce in lightly salted water for 5 minutes to remove impurities. Blanch in boiling water with salt and oil until just cooked, then arrange neatly on a plate. Pour hot oil over minced garlic and pepper strips to release their aroma, then mix with light soy sauce, a little vinegar, and sugar to create a savory dressing. Pour over the lettuce for a refreshing, simple side dish the whole family will love.

3. Spinach with Savory Egg Topping

Spinach can be transformed into a dish that rivals meat. Cut spinach into sections, blanch in boiling water with salt and oil. In a bowl, mix soybean paste, light soy sauce, a little oyster sauce, and starch water to create a sauce. Quickly scramble three eggs until just set, add the sauce, and cook until thickened. Pour this savory egg mixture over the blanched spinach for a simple, delicious combination.

4. Blanched Broccoli with White Sauce

Steaming broccoli with eggs creates a crisp, tender dish everyone loves. Blanch broccoli in boiling water with salt and oil (this preserves its vibrant green color) for 2 minutes. Arrange neatly in a bowl, then invert onto a plate for an impressive presentation. Garnish with scallion and pepper strips, pour hot oil over them to release their fragrance. The key to this dish's delicious flavor is a simple white sauce. It's a perfect light option when you're tired of heavy, rich foods.

5. Classic Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables

When you crave stir-fried vegetables, this version is so good you'll want it weekly. Toss soaked glass noodles with a little dark soy sauce and oil to prevent sticking. Scramble eggs and set aside. Sauté scallion, garlic, and chili until fragrant, add bean sprouts and stir-fry until tender-crisp. Add the noodles, cooked eggs, and chives. Season with light soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, and chicken essence. Stir-fry quickly over high heat until well combined. Your family will devour this!

6. Scallion-Braised Tofu

With just half a scallion and a block of tofu, you can make a dish more delicious than restaurant versions. Cut scallions into "horse ear" segments. In a bowl, mix light and dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, chicken essence, sugar for freshness, starch, and water to create a sauce. Break soft tofu into chunks with your hands. Pan-fry the tofu until golden on all sides. Pour in the sauce, let it simmer for 2 minutes, then reduce until the sauce thickens and clings to the tofu. The result is wonderfully fragrant, simple, and perfect with rice.

7. Sour and Spicy Shredded Potatoes

The secret to restaurant-style shredded potatoes lies in the order of adding ingredients. Slice peeled potatoes, then cut into uniform strips (consistent thickness matters more than thinness). Blanch in boiling water with salt and white vinegar for 30 seconds to achieve a crisp texture, then rinse in cold water. Sauté scallion, garlic, and dried chilies until fragrant. Add the potato strips, season with salt, chicken essence, light soy sauce for freshness, and vinegar for aroma. Stir-fry over high heat until well seasoned. Add bell pepper strips and stir-fry briefly. The result is perfectly sour, spicy, and crisp.

8. Pork Belly Stir-Fried with Lotus Root

When you're unsure what to cook, try this incredibly satisfying pork belly and lotus root stir-fry. Slice lotus root thinly, then cut into strips. Blanch in boiling water with white vinegar for 1 minute (this prevents discoloration). Stir-fry pork belly until its fat renders. Add scallion, garlic, and dried chilies until fragrant. Add the lotus root, season with salt, chicken essence, light and dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Stir-fry over high heat until well combined. Add garlic leaves and stir-fry briefly. This dish is perfect with both drinks and rice.

9. Chef's Special Steamed Mushrooms

A hotel chef shared this steamed mushroom recipe that becomes a signature dish. Tear mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Soak in water with salt to clean thoroughly. Drain and steam for 8 minutes. Top with minced garlic, chopped scallions, a little chili, sesame seeds, and chili powder. Pour hot oil over to release all the fragrances. Season with light soy sauce, vinegar, oyster sauce, salt, chicken essence, and sugar. Add peanuts and cilantro, then toss well. These marinated mushrooms are fragrant, tender, and flavorful—perfect as a side dish with drinks or meals.

10. Steamed Bitter Melon with Egg

Surprisingly, steaming eggs inside bitter melon creates a delicious dish perfect for current seasons. Bitter melon offers numerous health benefits. Halve bitter melon lengthwise, remove seeds with a spoon. Beat three eggs and pour into the bitter melon halves. Cover and steam over high heat for 8 minutes. In a bowl, mix minced garlic and scallions, pour hot oil over them, then season with salt, chicken essence, oyster sauce, and light soy sauce to create a dressing. Slice the steamed bitter melon, arrange beautifully, and drizzle with the dressing. This nutrient-rich dish is especially recommended for older adults to try regularly.

Wellness Tips: Alkaline foods like leafy greens, vegetables, and certain fruits can help maintain a balanced body pH, potentially reducing inflammation and supporting overall health. These dishes incorporate such ingredients in delicious, accessible ways. The final bitter melon with egg is particularly valuable for seniors due to bitter melon's potential benefits for blood sugar regulation and its gentle preparation method.