The name means good luck.
As the saying goes, a general's hat is not a hat and Guanyin's hand is not a hand. Known as the "general's hat" is Bailey. Although it has its name, it is not its thing. Fishermen who grew up by the sea absorbed the wisdom of nature and gave Bailey a vivid imagination. Because their shells look like the hats worn by ancient generals, they are widely called "generals' hats", which means auspiciousness and have been passed down to this day.
Pingtan's natural general's cap is only three or five centimeters long, and it is covered with a thin shell, like a hat and a small pot upside down, which is very interesting. Most tourists who see a general's hat for the first time will mistake it for a small abalone. The military cap is not only shaped like abalone, but also has a similar taste toughness, so it is called "fake abalone". The general's hat grown in natural environment is yellow-green, and the meat is crisp and elastic.
It is also interesting to say that the military cap is a kind of shellfish food that grows along the stone. Its meat clings to the stone and moves with it, and there is no hard cover at the bottom. When something touches it, it will hold the stone tightly and it is difficult to take it off. Small shells are tightly attached to rocks, and are said to be able to withstand several hundred kilograms of pressure and are not moved by wind and waves. Fishermen can only get it with sharp tools such as thin steel sheets.
Rich in nutritional value
"The popular methods of making military caps are boiled, fried with ginger and onion, and medicated diet." Chen Zhong, executive chef of Pingtan Wanghai Hotel, said that the cooking method of boiling water can show the original flavor of ingredients, the stir-frying of ginger and onion can highly extract the umami flavor of seafood, and the medicated diet firmly locks all the nutrients of military caps in thick soup.
Simple ingredients, not simple cooking techniques. During the conversation, Chen Zhong demonstrated the process of frying the military cap with ginger and onion. He chose the wild generals' caps salvaged from the deep sea in Pingtan, and the total amount of ingredients was more than one catty, which just met the demand of a plate of onion and ginger fried. After cleaning the military cap, drain it with a colander, and then add chopped green onion and ginger slices for later use. Skim the oil surface with a large spoon, heat the wok, add onion and ginger to Chen Zhong and stir fry at a very fast speed, then add a military cap and pour seafood soy sauce and seasoning.
Seasoning, suddenly fragrant. "The cooking time of the military cap should not be too long, otherwise the meat will harden, so it is particularly important to control the cooking time." Chen Zhong said, while preparing the dishes from the pot, the whole process was done in one go, not more than five minutes. Finally, sprinkle with shallots, and suddenly it is full of color and fragrance, which makes people shine. Simple seafood will be crowned with luster and mouth watering. Take a bite, only feel the sweet taste spread in the mouth, there is not much meat, but eat that taste.
According to Chen Zhong, the military cap has the effect of anti-cancer and softening blood vessels. The wild "general's cap" is rich in protein, vitamins and other nutrients, which can nourish yin, calm the liver and strengthen the kidney, regulate blood pressure, moisten dryness and benefit the intestines. Therefore, as a medicated diet, the military cap is very nutritious. Chen Zhong said that adding a little angelica, cooking wine and ginger slices can make a delicious general hat.
Fishing needs restraint.
In the sixties and seventies of last century, the generals' caps in Pingtan were small and thin, and grew against rocks. "At that time, military caps were rarely eaten and worthless." Li Lizhi, a fisherman in Liushui Town who is nearly seventy years old, still remembers going out to sea as a child.