Recipes That Nourish Without Causing Heat

Discover these delightful alkaline-rich vegetable dishes that keep your body balanced without causing internal heat. Perfect for regular rotation in your meal planning, these recipes are not only nutritious but incredibly flavorful. The last one is absolutely priceless!

1. Scallion Braised Tofu

A staple in our home that never gets old despite weekly appearances. The magic lies in its simplicity. Cut scallions into horse ear segments. Create the sauce by mixing salt, chicken essence, sugar, light and dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, starch, and water. Pan-fry tofu in hot oil, then cut it directly in the pan with your spatula - this is the soul of the dish. Fry until golden on all sides, add the sauce, simmer for three minutes, then reduce until the sauce clings to the tofu. The result is incredibly fragrant, arguably more delicious than meat!

2. Refreshing Lotus Root Salad

As the saying goes: "Autumn lotus roots lead to 99 years of health." Shredded lotus root brings endless delight. Soak the shreds in water with white vinegar to prevent discoloration. Blanch for just 15 seconds, then cool immediately. Combine with garlic, scallions, dried chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns activated with hot oil. Season with salt, sugar, light soy sauce, and vinegar. Toss well - the perfect refreshing alternative when you're tired of rich foods.

3. Crisp Stir-Fried Chinese Yam

Never stir-fry yam directly! Here's the professional method for crisp, non-greasy results. Use a crinkle cutter to slice cucumbers, carrots, and yam into wave-shaped pieces - elevating both appearance and texture. Blanch in salted, oiled water (add wood ear mushrooms if available) for 20 seconds. Sauté garlic until fragrant, add all ingredients, season with salt and chicken essence, thicken with starch water, and stir-fry briefly. The colorful, crisp result will have children reaching for more.

4. Perfect Stir-Fried Water Spinach

How to keep water spinach vibrantly green without blanching or oil-blanching? This simple method outperforms restaurant versions. Hand-tear into sections, soak in salted water for 10 minutes. Sauté garlic in hot oil until fragrant, add water spinach and stir-fry vigorously over high heat. Season with salt and chicken essence, cooking just until tender-crisp. Remarkably simple yet effective!

5. Mushroom and Cucumber Medley

Our most frequently prepared vegetable dish - enjoyed eight times weekly! The fresh, nutritious flavors appeal to all ages. Halve cucumbers, remove seeds, and slice diagonally. Slice cleaned mushrooms. Beat four eggs with salt, then scramble in hot oil until just set. Sauté garlic until fragrant, add mushrooms (don't blanch - this preserves their umami), then cucumbers and carrots for color and nutrition. Stir-fry until tender-crisp, add eggs, season with salt and chicken essence, thicken with starch water, and stir-fry over high heat. The result is refreshing, non-greasy, and perfectly satisfying with rice.

6. Home-Style Pepper and Eggplant

Skip the oily restaurant method! Home cooking should be simple. Cut eggplant into strips, salt for 10 minutes to draw out moisture, then rinse thoroughly. Beat one egg. Sauté scallion, garlic, chili, and bean paste until fragrant. Add eggplant with light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar for freshness. Stir-fry for two minutes, add bell peppers, and cook through. This delicious pepper and eggplant combination makes the perfect rice companion.

7. Tofu Skin with Wood Ear Mushrooms

This satisfying stir-fry always pleases, but many struggle with splattering wood ears. The secret: blanch tofu skin and mushrooms together, but never cool in cold water - this prevents splattering during cooking. Beat an egg. Sauté garlic and chili until fragrant, add tofu skin and mushrooms. Season with salt, chicken essence, oyster sauce, and light soy sauce. Add bell peppers and stir-fry over high heat for one minute. Our son devours three bowls of rice with this dish!

8. Green Peas with Egg Scramble

Watch how eggs mixed with green peas create a restaurant specialty costing $88! This unique preparation will surprise you. Rinse green peas with water. Beat three eggs. Blanch in salted, oiled water for three minutes (the key to vibrant color). Stir-fry peas over high heat until dry and cooked. Add garlic and chili, stir-fry briefly until fragrant. Pour egg mixture evenly over peas - don't stir immediately! Let set before gently scrambling over low heat until fully cooked. Season only with light soy sauce. The fragrant, satisfying result proves simplicity at its best.

Which of these alkaline-rich creations will become your new mealtime favorite? From quick stir-fries to impressive specialties, there's something here for every palate and occasion!