It is very important to choose soft-shelled turtle. Fresh soft-shelled turtle is the guarantee of quality, with fresh and tender meat and richer nutrition. Observe the appearance of soft-shelled turtle when buying. The shell is smooth and complete, the head is flexible, and the abdomen is full and powerful. It is the most ideal soft-shelled turtle.
Dealing with turtles requires patience and care. Soak the soft-shelled turtle in clear water and let it spit out the sediment fully. Then, tap the turtle's head with the back of the knife and make it faint. Then, cut open the tortoise's abdomen and take out its internal organs. Rinse the soft-shelled turtle repeatedly with clear water until it is clean.
There are many cooking methods of soft-shelled turtle, each of which can stimulate the unique flavor of soft-shelled turtle. Common practices are:
Braised soft-shelled turtle: put soft-shelled turtle in a pot, add ginger slices, onion segments, garlic cloves, cooking wine, soy sauce, rock sugar and water, boil and simmer. The stewing time depends on the size of the soft-shelled turtle, and it usually takes 1-2 hours until the nail fish is soft and rotten and the soup is rich.
Turtle soup: put the turtle blocks into a casserole, add Lycium barbarum, red dates, angelica, codonopsis pilosula, astragalus root, ginger, cooking wine and water, boil and simmer slowly. The stewing time depends on the size of the turtle, which usually takes 2-3 hours until the turtle is boneless and the soup is clear and mellow.
Steamed soft-shelled turtle: put the processed soft-shelled turtle into a steamer, add shredded ginger, shredded onion, medlar and red dates, and steam over high fire. The steaming time depends on the size of soft-shelled turtle, which usually takes 30-45 minutes until the nail fish is tender and smooth, and the soup is delicious and sweet.
No matter which firing method is adopted, we need to grasp an important principle: moderate temperature and sufficient time. The nail fish is tight, stewed or steamed for a long time, and soft and rotten. Too much heat can easily lead to the soft-shelled turtle's fleshy old wood and lose its fresh and tender taste.
With suitable ingredients, the nutritional value of turtle cooking can be further improved. Chinese herbal medicines such as Lycium barbarum, red dates, Angelica sinensis, Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus have rich medicinal value, and the nourishing effect can be enhanced by adding them into turtle soup. Fragrances such as shredded ginger and shredded onion can remove the fishy smell of soft-shelled turtle and increase its aroma.
Paying attention to the original flavor of ingredients is also the key to rich nutrition. Reducing the use of additives and condiments can make the taste of soft-shelled turtle more prominent, and at the same time, it can retain its nutrients to the greatest extent.
Through careful selection, treatment, firing and collocation of soft-shelled turtles, soft-shelled turtles with rich nutrition and delicious taste can be cooked. It can not only satisfy our appetite, but also supplement the nutrition we need to nourish and strengthen our bodies.