What’s the best way to eat green onions in winter?

　　Winter is cold and the human body's Yang Qi is hidden, making it most vulnerable to wind and cold. As a common ingredient on the winter table, green onions are not only a condiment, but also a good "yang-tong" product highly praised by traditional Chinese medicine. It can induce sweating, relieve colds, and promote digestion. It is a natural health food. So, how to eat green onions in winter to maximize their benefits? Is it better to eat it raw or cooked? When is the most effective time to add onions? The answer lies in this article.

What’s the best way to eat green onions in winter?

　　1. Stir-fried mutton with green onions

　　Marinate the mutton slices with cooking wine and light soy sauce for 10 minutes, and cut the green onions into sections.； Heat oil and sauté ginger slices until fragrant, add mutton and stir-fry until it changes color, add green onion and stir-fry over high heat for 2 minutes, season with a little salt and pepper. Mutton is warming and nourishing, while green onions remove fishiness and improve fragrance. The combination of the two has a good effect in repelling cold and is suitable for warming up in winter.

　　2. Green onion dipping sauce

　　Select the white part of the scallion and cut it into long sections and serve with soybean sauce, sweet noodle sauce or garlic chili sauce. The scallions are white, crisp, tender and slightly spicy, and the sauce is salty and mellow. It does not require complicated cooking and retains the original flavor of the scallions, which can stimulate the appetite. It is suitable to be paired with porridge and rice as a home-cooked appetizer in winter.

　　3. Stewed tofu with green onions

　　Cut the tofu into cubes and blanch them in water to remove the beany smell. Cut the green onions into sections.； Put a little oil in the pot, sauté the green onions, add water and bring to a boil, add the tofu and simmer for 15 minutes, add salt and sesame oil to taste. The tofu is full of green onion aroma and tastes soft and tender. The soup is light and delicious. It can supplement protein and is suitable for people with sensitive stomachs.

　　4. Scallion oil noodles

　　After the noodles are cooked, drain them in cold water and top with chopped green onions.； Heat the oil until it is 60% hot, pour it on the chopped green onions to bring out the aroma, add light soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and a little sugar to taste and mix well. It is quick and time-saving to make, has a rich onion aroma and a chewy texture. It is suitable for breakfast or late-night snack in winter, to warm you up and satisfy your hunger.

　　5. Green onion and ginger soup

　　Slice ginger and scallions into sections (retain the white color), put them into a pot, add water to boil, simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, and add brown sugar to taste. Ginger and scallions both have the effect of repelling cold and relieving the surface. The soup is warm and spicy, which can relieve discomforts such as chills and nasal congestion in winter and prevent colds and colds.

The benefits of eating green onions in winter

　　1. Warm up the body and resist severe cold

　　Green onions are warm in nature and pungent in taste, and contain volatile substances such as onion and allicin, which can promote blood circulation, dilate blood vessels, help the body generate heat, and relieve symptoms such as chills and cold hands and feet in winter. It is especially suitable for people with weak constitutions and enhances the body's ability to adapt to low-temperature environments.

　　2. Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and prevent infection

　　Allicin has a certain antibacterial effect and can inhibit the reproduction of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, reducing the risk of respiratory and digestive tract infections in winter.； At the same time, it can help relieve nasal congestion and sore throat in the early stages of a cold, and help the body resist the invasion of germs.

　　3. Appetite, digest food and improve metabolism

　　In winter, the diet is greasy and heavy. The volatile components in green onions can stimulate the secretion of saliva and digestive juices, increase appetite, and help digest greasy food.； The dietary fiber it contains can also promote intestinal peristalsis, prevent constipation caused by reduced activity in winter, and maintain metabolic stability.

Things to note when eating green onions in winter

　　1. People with hot constitution should eat in moderation.

　　Green onions are warm in nature and pungent in taste. Excessive consumption of green onions can easily aggravate internal heat for those with heat constitution (often experiencing dry mouth, sore throat, constipation and other symptoms). It is recommended that the daily consumption should not exceed 50 grams, or it can be paired with cool ingredients such as winter melon and white radish to balance the properties and avoid getting angry.

　　2. Patients with gastrointestinal diseases should eat with caution

　　The spicy ingredients of green onions may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. Patients with gastritis, gastric ulcers, enteritis, etc. may cause stomach pain, diarrhea and other discomforts after eating them. It is recommended to cook them thoroughly (such as stewing, boiling) to reduce spicy irritation, or try a small amount to observe the body's reaction.

　　3. Special groups of people should avoid eating it.

　　People who are taking traditional Chinese medicine should be careful. Green onions may conflict with some traditional Chinese medicines. It is recommended to consult a doctor before consuming them.； Those who are allergic to green onions must be completely contraindicated. If allergic reactions such as skin itching, rash, vomiting, etc. occur after eating, they should seek medical treatment in time.

　　Eating the right green onions in winter can not only enhance the aroma and taste, but also prevent diseases and strengthen the body. Remember: fry less, eat them raw, put them out of the pan, and focus on white onions. This is the correct way to eat onions in winter. People with gastric ulcers or gastrointestinal sensitivities should eat less green onions to avoid irritating the mucous membranes. When cleaning, be sure to rinse with warm water several times, and use fruit and vegetable detergent when necessary to ensure hygiene and safety.