NOW REVEALED: THE CHINESE SECRET TO LONG LIFE!
Quiz anyone on longest-living races, and the inevitable answer is Chinese. The secret of their legendary longevity lies in their food. In fact, the ancient practice of Chinese medicine is based on the concept of food as therapy. Prepared with selected ingredients and superior herbs, using methods that seal in nutrition, food is used to promote health, prevent sickness, control disease, and support, recuperate and rejuvenate the body. And in case you are thinking that this health-boosting food would taste like medicine, you could not be more wrong. The truly epicurean Chinese would never compromise on taste.
Now, Mainland China, the chain of restaurants that popularized authentic Chinese cuisine across India, reveals the delicious secrets of the long life-spans of the Chinese at its Longevity Festival. That is surely great news for both food-lovers and health-fanatics (if these categories are mutually exclusive), as well as those who want to enjoy their food without compromising on health issues.
The menu has been crafted after intensive research into the time-tested practices of Shi Liao, or Chinese Food Therapy, which has a holistic and balanced approach to food and health, based on the ideas of yin and yang. Yang foods are energy-dense, increasing the body’s heat and metabolic rate, whereas Yin foods have a high water content, which cools the body and the metabolism. The dishes served at Mainland China’s Longevity Festival succeed in balancing these ingredients and their effects, as much as they balance taste and health.
Start with the Asian Salad with Tofu and Greens, which balances the high protein and iron content of beancurd (tofu) with the vitamin-rich greens. Take your time over the Longevity Ginseng Soup (which can be enjoyed in vegetarian and chicken versions), as the magic of ginseng reduces stress and cholesterol and improves digestion and brain power. Linger over the mouth-watering starters, like Fresh Pineapple Salt and Pepper, or Lettuce Wraps with Water Chestnuts and Chicken, or Lotus leaf Wrapped Grilled Fish, and other innovative, colourful and healthful appetizers that please the eye and tickle the taste buds. The dishes have all been prepared by traditional Chinese methods like steaming, braising, grilling and stir-frying – methods which use minimal oil and health-boosting spices. Vegetarians can eat their way to good health with Mixed Vegetables with Spicy Grape Sauce, Stir Fried Snow Peas with Garlic Pods or Steamed Asparagus with Ginger Wine Sauce. Non-vegetarian gourmets can gorge without guilt on delicacies like Chicken with Fresh Coriander, Sliced Fish with Tomatoes and Basil, or Wok Tossed Prawns with Fennel. And, do not miss the Longevity Noodles, the celebrated Chinese dish that symbolizes a long and healthy life, and is a must-eat on birthdays and New Year feasts.
A centuries-old Chinese proverb states: "He that takes medicine and neglects diet, wastes the skill of the physician." At the Longevity Festival, the diet becomes an effective and mouth-watering medicine for good health and long life. And all because of the skill of Mainland China’s renowned master-chefs!
About Mainland China
Mainland China is the largest chain of specialized fine dining eateries in the country with an equity that is enjoyed by no other stand-alone restaurant chain. The first Mainland China outlet was started in Mumbai in the year 1995 with the philosophy to propagate the wonders of various cuisines from all major provinces of China for instance Hubei, Yunan, Cantonese or Sichuan. Following the success of the Mumbai outlet, Mainland China soon entered the cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai and Delhi and now even in smaller cities like Baroda, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Lucknow etc. Over the years, people have come and recognized the quality of food and services that the name Mainland China represents.
The lip-smacking, health-boosting delicacies conjured up by them for The Longevity Festival can be savored at all the Mainland China outlets from June 7th, 2011 for Lunch and Dinner for a period of 2 weeks.
