[Reading level: B2 – Upper Intermediate]
There are many traditional Vietnamese dishes that help keep the body warm, reduce coughing, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits, supporting health and preventing the flu during the elements.
Mustard greens soup with snakehead fish and ginger
A bowl of hot soup is both comforting and delicious, with tender mustard greens, fragrant and naturally sweet snakehead fish, and the mild spiciness of ginger. This dish stimulates the taste buds on cold days and helps prevent the flu.
According to traditional medicine, ginger has a spicy taste and warm nature, benefiting the lungs, spleen, and stomach. It helps treat colds, nausea due to weak digestion, indigestion, diarrhea, and coughs caused by external cold or chronic bronchitis. Snakehead fish has a sweet taste and neutral properties, helping to nourish blood, strengthen digestion, and improve physical weakness. Mustard greens have a spicy taste and warm properties, aiding in phlegm removal, warming the digestive system, and stimulating digestion.
If natural snakehead fish is unavailable, it can be substituted with farmed snakehead or catfish to cook the soup. To remove the fishy smell, boil the water before adding the fish, or grill the fish first and then extract the meat.
Lemongrass chili stir-fried pork
Each piece of pork is seared to a golden brown on the outside while remaining naturally juicy inside, infused with the rich aroma of lemongrass and the spicy kick of chili. This simple yet flavorful dish helps prevent colds thanks to ingredients like lemongrass, chili, and onions.
According to traditional medicine, lemongrass has a slightly spicy taste, a fragrant aroma, and warm properties that help disinfect, reduce inflammation, relieve bloating, promote urination, expel phlegm, and treat colds. Chili has a spicy taste and hot nature, warming the body, improving blood circulation, and acting as an effective anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent.
For the best texture, use pork belly or shoulder with a mix of lean and fat to prevent dryness. Avoid marinating the pork beforehand, as it releases water and takes longer to brown during frying. Adjust the amount of lemongrass and chili according to your preference.
Pork rib soup with potatoes
This hearty dish is a “national favorite” in Northern Vietnam during cold weather. It is rich in nutrients and enhances immunity. According to nutrition experts, potatoes are high in vitamin C, which helps prevent the flu and strengthens the immune system.
Braised fish with galangal
The fish pieces are firm and richly flavored, with a glossy caramelized sauce. The fish belly fat turns translucent, and when cooked long enough, even the bones become edible.
This dish is not only comforting in cold weather but also a valuable flu-preventing remedy thanks to galangal. Galangal has a spicy, warm nature and a distinct fragrance, commonly used in braised dishes, “fake dog” stew, fermented fish sauce, and hotpot broths. It helps relieve phlegm, relax the airways, reduce coughs, and soothe sore throats.
For the best results, choose medium-aged galangal (not too old or too young), with a natural yellow hue. Slice it thin and place it at the bottom of the pot when braising fish.
Ginger stir-fried chicken
In Vietnamese cuisine, ginger is a staple ingredient in dishes like stir-fried chicken, braised duck, stir-fried buffalo or beef, and seafood stews (crab, fish, clams, snails, turtle, etc.). Ginger contains 2-3% essential oils and pungent compounds that have anti-inflammatory, phlegm-loosening, and digestive benefits.
Ginger stir-fried chicken is a popular winter dish in Northern Vietnam. The chicken is tender and flavorful, infused with the warm aroma of ginger and black pepper. It pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
Stir-fried vermicelli with pork intestines and turmeric
This Hue-style specialty stands out with its chewy, slightly fatty pork intestines and the natural sweetness of the ingredients. The slight spiciness adds an extra layer of warmth and flavor.
According to folklore, turmeric has a spicy, bitter taste and warm properties. It contains many beneficial compounds, especially curcumin, which has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cough-relieving properties. Turmeric stir-fried vermicelli with pork intestines is a dish often prepared by mothers and grandmothers during cold seasons to help prevent the flu and treat coughs effectively.
Pepper-braised Pork
With simple ingredients and easy preparation, this dish features tender pork coated in a rich, glossy brown sauce, infused with the spicy aroma of black pepper. It pairs beautifully with steamed rice and pickled vegetables, making it an all-season favorite.
According to traditional medicine, black pepper has a spicy taste and warm nature, benefiting the digestive system, lungs, and intestines. It helps warm the body, relieve indigestion, detoxify, and fight infections. Black pepper is widely used in cooking, not only for enhancing flavor but also for boosting immunity and body warmth.
Spicy sautéed squid
The crispy squid is coated in a bold, spicy satay sauce, complemented by sweet-crunchy vegetables. This dish is a great way to warm up in cold weather, thanks to ingredients like onions, scallions, and chili, which boost immunity.
To effectively prevent the flu, however, combine these warming dishes with a healthy diet, plenty of vegetables and fruits, proper hydration, and sufficient rest.
Source: https://vnexpress.net/10-mon-an-phong-ngua-cam-cum-mua-ret-4846547.html
WORD BANK:
the elements (n): trời rét đậm, thời tiết lạnh giá
tender (adj): mềm
mustard greens (n): cải xanh
fragrant (adj): thơm
snakehead fish (n): cá rô
mild (adj): nhẹ
spiciness (n): vị cay
stimulate sth (v): kích thích
taste bud (n): nụ vị giác
lung (n): phế (phổi)
spleen (n): tỳ (lá lách)
stomach (n): vị (dạ dày)
nausea (n): buồn nôn
indigestion (n): khó tiêu
diarrhea (n): tiêu chảy
chronic (adj): mãn tính
bronchitis (n): viêm phế quản
phlegm (n): đờm
catfish (n): cá quả
grill (v): nướng
sear (v): áp chảo
infused with sth (adj): hòa quyện với cái gì
aroma (n): hương thơm
spicy kick (n): vị the cay
disinfect (v): sát khuẩn
bloating (n): đầy hơi
urination (n): sự bài tiết qua đường nước tiểu
anti-inflammatory (adj): có tính kháng viêm
antibacterial (adj): có tính kháng khuẩn
agent (n): đặc tính
lean (adj): nạc
marinate (v): ướp
immunity (n): sức đề kháng
glossy (adj): óng ánh
sauce (n): nước sốt
translucent (adj): trong suốt
edible (adj): ăn được
galangal (n): riềng
fermented fish sauce (n): mắm
hotpot (n): lẩu
broth (n): nước dùng
soothe (v): làm dịu
sore throat (n): đau họng
hue (n): màu
staple (adj): chủ yếu, cơ bản (sản phẩm, hàng hóa)
stir-fry (v): rang
clam (n): ngao
pungent (adj): cay, nồng
chewy (adj): dai
pork intestine (n): lòng heo giòn
folklore (n): dân gian
antioxidant (adj): có tính chống oxy hóa
coated in sth (adj): được phủ trong cái gì
pickled vegetables (n): dưa chua
detoxify (v): giải độc
crispy (adj): giòn
satay sauce (n): sốt sa tế
complemented by sth (adj): kết hợp với cái gì
scallion (n): hành lá
proper hydration (n): uống đủ nước
sufficient (adj): đầy đủ
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