Although autumn has arrived on the calendar, hot days continue.
Many people may have lost their appetite and lack energy due to summer fatigue and summer heat.
When you feel unmotivated,
energizing your gut, which is called the “second brain,”
can be a trigger to boost your energy.
Bananas, which many people eat for breakfast,
are an excellent ingredient that quickly converts into energy and restores physical strength because they are rich in various sugars.
They are also said to be effective for gut health.
We will introduce the “strongest gut-healthy salad” with a banana dressing,
combining ingredients popular among women.
It is also recommended as a snack with wine.
Key Ingredient: Banana
Bananas contain a good balance of glucose, sucrose, and fructose, and when eaten when tired, they recharge energy and nourish the brain.
They are rich in tryptophan, which converts to the “happy hormone” serotonin, so they are also expected to have a calming effect.
In Yakuzen, they are said to cool down heat and improve bowel movements.
RECIPE
“Fig and Sweet Potato Salad with Banana Dressing” to Boost Energy
This is a voluminous salad that combines gut-healthy ingredients such as bananas, figs, sweet potatoes, amazake (sweet rice drink), and yogurt.
Figs, which are rich in digestive enzymes, regulate the stomach and intestines, improve bowel movements, and have been known as the “fruit of longevity” since ancient times.
Sweet potatoes, which are rich in dietary fiber, also regulate the stomach and intestines and supplement qi, so they are recommended for those who are tired from the lingering summer heat.
You can heat them in the microwave or boil them, but steaming them concentrates the umami and makes them fluffy.
Amazake is called “drinkable IV drip” and has been popular as a nutritional drink to prevent summer fatigue since the Edo period.
Since we will use it as a seasoning this time, choose a concentrated type.
Rosemary, added as an accent, is a herb that goes well with bananas.
It is also recommended as a dish for entertaining guests.
Ingredients (for 2-3 servings)
Bananas … 2
Figs … 2
Sweet potato … 1/2 (180g)
Mozzarella cheese … 100g
Onion … 1/4
A
Amazake (sweet rice drink, concentrated type) … 2 to 3 tablespoons (increase to taste)
Yogurt (unsweetened) … 2 tablespoons
Vinegar … 2 teaspoons
Soy sauce … 1/2 teaspoon
Olive oil … 1 teaspoon
Rosemary … 1 sprig
- Place the sweet potato in a steamer with boiling water and steam until tender. Cut into easy-to-eat pieces. Grate the onion.
- Put 1/2 banana, the grated onion from step 1, and A in a plastic bag. Mash with your hands to make a dressing. Once smooth, transfer to a bowl.
- Add the remaining banana (cut into easy-to-eat pieces) and the sweet potato from step 1 to the bowl from step 2, and mix roughly.
- Arrange the figs (torn into pieces by hand) and mozzarella cheese on a plate, and top with the salad from step 3. Scatter rosemary leaves on top.
POINT
Bananas can be easily mashed
by putting them in a plastic bag
and kneading them with your hands.
Adding vinegar prevents discoloration
and further promotes gut health.
