Every winter, especially nearing the time of the winter solstice, mutton becomes widely available in the market. Commonly, tender mutton is warm in nature and serves to nourish the body, making it a perfect food for the cold season due to its warming properties. Thus, it has become one of the winter tonics. However, mutton has a distinctive gamey flavor that can affect the taste of the soup if not handled properly.
How to Make Winter Melon Mutton Soup
Ingredients Preparation
100 grams of mutton, 200 grams of winter melon, an appropriate amount of water, an appropriate amount of scallions and ginger, soy sauce, salt, cooking wine, monosodium glutamate, and a little sesame oil.
Steps
1. Slice the mutton thinly, then mix with salt, monosodium glutamate, soy sauce, and a small amount of cooking wine, as well as scallion and ginger threads, and marinate for a while;
2. Peel the winter melon, wash it, and cut into slices. Set aside. Heat oil in a wok, then stir-fry the winter melon slices briefly;
3. Add water, cover, and bring to a boil. Then add the mutton slices. Once cooked, drizzle with a little sesame oil and serve.
Tips
Marinating the mutton beforehand not only helps to remove the fishy smell but also makes it more flavorful.
How to Make Clear-Stewed Mutton Soup
Ingredients Preparation
500 grams of mutton, an appropriate amount of orange peel, a little hawthorn, an appropriate amount of scallions and ginger, Sichuan pepper, cooking wine, and salt.
Steps
1. Soak the mutton for 2 hours, then wash and cut into small pieces;
2. Add enough water to a pot, place the mutton inside, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Skim off any foam that rises, then add cooking wine;
3. Add Sichuan pepper, scallions, ginger, orange peel, and hawthorn. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1.5 hours;
4. Remove the orange peel and hawthorn, then sprinkle with an appropriate amount of salt. Simmer for another 15 minutes or so over medium heat.
Tips
You can also add an appropriate amount of white radish or other ingredients, which can effectively eliminate the gamey flavor of the mutton.
Mutton Price
The price of mutton varies from year to year. When there is a high yield, the price is lower; when the yield is low, the price is higher. Additionally, prices vary by region, with mutton being relatively more expensive in large cities. This year, the price of mutton is roughly between 18 and 30 yuan per catty. Finally, the price of mutton also changes over time, with higher prices near the winter solstice.
Nutritional Value and Benefits of Mutton
Mutton is rich in protein, as well as calcium, iron, vitamins, and other nutrients. It can treat spleen and stomach deficiency, warm and supplement the liver and kidneys, replenish blood, warm meridians, protect gastric mucosa, and have a liver-nourishing and vision-improving effect. Mutton is mostly consumed during the winter months and can protect against wind and cold, as well as replenish the body. It is beneficial for common colds, physical weakness, cold intolerance, and other conditions.