Whether it is dried or fresh sea cucumber, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned before processing. Dried sea cucumber needs to be soaked in pure water for about 24 to 48 hours, and the water needs to be changed several times during this period until the sea cucumber becomes soft. After that, cut the sea cucumber along the abdominal incision, remove the sand mouth and sea cucumber teeth, and clean the impurities in the sea cucumber. Fresh sea cucumber needs to be rinsed with clean water to remove surface impurities, then cut open the abdomen, clean out the internal organs and sand. During the processing, be careful not to damage the inner wall tendons of sea cucumber, because tendons also contain a variety of nutrients.
The processed sea cucumber needs to be further cooked to ensure its safety and improve its taste. For dried sea cucumber, after soaking and washing, it needs to be placed in an oil-free pot, add pure water, boil over medium heat, then turn to low heat and cook for 30 to 60 minutes, and then simmer until it cools naturally. Fresh sea cucumber needs to be placed in a pressure cooker, add a small amount of water to prevent the pot from sticking, cook over high heat for 20 minutes, and simmer for a while to ensure that the sea cucumber is fully cooked.
When cooking sea cucumber, you should try to choose a method that can retain its nutrients to the greatest extent. Steaming, boiling, cooking porridge, stewing and blanching are all good choices. These methods are not only simple and easy, but also allow the nutrients of sea cucumber to be fully preserved. Avoid cooking methods such as frying or over-frying, because high temperature and oil may destroy the nutrients in sea cucumber.
When cooking sea cucumber, the use of condiments should also be cautious. Too much condiment may cover up the delicious taste of sea cucumber itself and even destroy its nutrients. Therefore, it is recommended to use a small amount of condiments such as salt, light soy sauce, chopped green onion, etc. to highlight the original flavor of sea cucumber. For classic dishes such as scallion-fried sea cucumber, although the use of condiments is relatively large, the amount and combination of condiments should also be mastered to ensure the taste and nutritional value of sea cucumber.
The mastery of cooking time is crucial to maintaining the nutrition and taste of sea cucumber. Sea cucumber should not be cooked for too long, otherwise it will shrink and harden, the taste will deteriorate, and the nutrients will be lost. Generally speaking, the cooking time of sea cucumber should be determined according to its type and size. During the cooking process, you can judge whether the sea cucumber is cooked by observing its color and texture.
Although sea cucumber is rich in nutrients, it should be eaten in moderation. Excessive consumption at one time may cause indigestion and increase the burden on the stomach. In addition, people who are allergic to sea cucumber should avoid eating it to avoid allergic reactions. When eating sea cucumber, you can pair it with some light ingredients and condiments to highlight its delicious taste and nutritional value.
In order to maintain the nutrition and taste of sea cucumber, the correct storage method is also crucial. After purchasing fresh sea cucumber, it should be washed and processed as soon as possible, and then placed in a sealed bag for refrigeration or freezing. For cooked sea cucumber, it should also be eaten as soon as possible to avoid long-term storage resulting in loss of nutrients and deterioration of taste. If it needs to be stored for a long time, you can choose methods such as vacuum packaging or freeze-drying to extend its shelf life.
Correct handling and cooking of sea cucumber is the key to maintaining its nutrition and taste. By choosing the appropriate cooking method, mastering the cooking time and the amount of condiments used, and the correct storage method, we can retain the nutritional content and taste characteristics of sea cucumber to the greatest extent and enjoy this delicious seafood dish.
