Henan

 

Henan food is prepared in the Henan region of China. The cuisine is also known as the Yucai cuisine. The food is prepared with seasonal ingredients and is known to be lighter in flavor than other Chinese cuisines.

 

 

Common Ingredients

Seasonal vegetables, onions, meat, and rice are some of the common ingredients. Pork is the regular meat, although lamb and chicken are used frequently. Tofu, mushrooms, and vermicelli are also used in cooking.

 

 

Everyday Henan Food

Soups, noodles, rice and dumplings are commonly eaten in the Henan region. Boiled dumplings, which are filled with pork and vegetables are popular.

 

 

Traditional and Festival Food

·         Lamb noodle soup - This is a traditional soup made from lamb and onions. There are several variations of this type of soup, including dao xiao mian, which is made by whittling away the dough as the soup gets boiled.

·         Meatball soup - This is made with breaded meatballs with pepper corn, ginger, and star anise.

·         Mu shu pork pancake - These are pancakes made with minced pork fillings.

·         Steamed eggs. This dish is made by steaming eggs with garlic and pork. It is eaten as a breakfast, especially during the dragon boat festival.

·         Braised sea cucumber. Sea cucumber is cooked with rice wine, soy sauce, mushrooms, and ginger. This is served with white rice.

 

 

Is Henan Food Healthy?

Henan food seems to be healthy, being mild in flavor and rich in nourishment. The cuisine makes use of the available vegetables and fruits, which provide the essential vitamins. The meat is a good source of protein, but can also increase the cholesterol levels when consumed regularly. The lamb noodle soup and steamed eggs with garlic are classic examples of the protein-rich foods.  Potatoes, which are used frequently, and rice take care of the carbohydrate requirement in the diet. Thus, the Henan food is generally nutritious, barring the high meat content which can give rise to heart disease in the long run.