The saying "The Yellow River enriches Ningxia" is familiar to locals in Ningxia. Thanks to the irrigation of the Yellow River, the region produces many special local products, such as the well-known goji berries, red wine, carpets, and pigeon fish. Today, I’d like to introduce another specialty: the apricots from Pengyang. Speaking of apricots...
Recently, chili farmers in the Honghe and Ruhe River basins of Pengyang County have been overjoyed. Ye Fude, a major chili grower in Baihe Village, Xinzhen Township, said with a smile, “This year, I planted five greenhouse chili crops. In less than 20 days after they hit the market, I’ve already earned over 8,000 yuan. Compared to last year, this year’s chili yield is not only higher but also brings better income,” while Yao He Village villager Yan Junkui, who was counting his money, said, “In previous years, chili prices kept dropping, and we could only sell them for seven or eight jiao per jin. This year is strange—prices started at seven jiao per jin when they first came to market and have now risen to 1.1 yuan per jin. Moreover, both small and large traders are coming to our doors to buy. I think this year’s chili income will definitely be better than last year.”
Oats are also a distinctive grain crop in Guyuan County, Ningxia. Each year, 20,000 to 30,000 mu of land are planted with oats, yielding an average of 100–150 kilograms per mu, with a total annual production of around 2 million kilograms. The main variety, Ningyou No. 1, has oat grains that contain 15.88% crude protein, 5.94% crude fat, and 44.5% crude starch. It is a green, health-promoting food...
Slice the lamb, then knead high-quality flour into dough and let it rest on the cutting board. Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry the lamb slices until all moisture is gone, then add diced scallions, ginger juice, and sliced garlic, and sauté briefly. Add soy sauce, salt, and prickly ash water. Flatten the rested dough by hand, and when the water boils, pinch the dough into small square pieces and drop them into the boiling water. Once cooked, scoop them out and stir-fry them in the lamb pan to absorb the flavors. Add…
Sunflowers in Yuanzhou District, Ningxia were first introduced in the early 1970s and have been cultivated for over 30 years, making them one of the district’s specialty products. Thanks to the region’s unique geographical environment and climate conditions, Yuanzhou sunflower seeds mature early, are plump, have thin shells, and boast a fragrant taste—qualities that distinguish them from those grown in other regions. Yuanzhou sunflower…
Potatoes, scientifically known as Solanum tuberosum, are commonly called "potatoes" or "tudan" (literally "earth eggs"). In Guyuan, people refer to them as "life-saving eggs" and "treasure eggs," based on their two broads and two highs—broad adaptability, broad use, high yield, and high economic value. Potatoes originally come from South America...
Guyuan County has historically been an oilseed production area, once hailed as Ningxia’s “oil basin.” Its representative crop, flaxseed, boasts a high oil content, excellent quality, high value, wide applications, abundant resources, and great potential. The main varieties are Ningya No. 10 and Ningya No. 11, with an annual planting area of around 200,000 mu and a total output of over 12 million kilograms...
Originally known as "hair vegetable," Ningxia Fat Choy is a rare, land-based edible algae unique to Ningxia. Its jet-black color and hair-like appearance give it the name "hair vegetable." Growing on rugged mountains and nourished by rain, snow, mist, and frost, it boasts high both culinary and medicinal value, and has long been esteemed in Southeast Asian countries as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan...
Licorice belongs to the legume family and is a perennial herbaceous plant. Its main root can grow up to five or six feet long. Rich in sugar content, it has a very sweet taste, hence the name "licorice." Licorice is a versatile traditional Chinese medicinal herb that not only harmonizes other herbs but also invigorates qi, strengthens the spleen, clears heat, detoxifies, and fortifies bones and muscles. It is primarily used to treat weakness of the spleen and stomach, excessive coughing, sore throat…
This dish features a bright color, elegant presentation, and a crispy exterior with a tender interior, making it a delicacy of the “Jiangnan of the Frontier.” The preparation method is as follows: First, scale the Yellow River carp, cut it open, remove the internal organs, and wash it clean; then make diagonal cuts on the fish’s back, coat it with a yellow batter, deep-fry it in oil until golden brown, remove and place it on a plate, and finally pour the pre-prepared sweet and sour sauce over it...
Main ingredients: beef tendons, beef tripe, beef brisket, beef shank, beef bones; Seasonings: soy sauce, cooking wine, salt, MSG, cinnamon, star anise, shredded old ginger, scallion segments, etc.; Method: 1. First, cut the beef bones into large chunks and blanch them. Slice the beef brisket, beef tripe, beef shank, etc., into even pieces and blanch them for later use; 2. In a clean pot, add water along with the beef bones…
Ingredients: beef brisket, tomatoes, carrots, rice wine, refined salt, chicken essence, scallions, ginger. Method: After blanching the beef brisket in boiling water, add water, rice wine, and ginger, then cook in a pressure cooker for 15 to 21 minutes. ②Sauté the tomatoes and carrots in oil until heated through. ③Combine the beef brisket, sautéed tomatoes, and carrots in the pressure cooker and cook together...
Potatoes were introduced to China in the 17th century and have been cultivated in Yu Zhou District for over 300 years. In recent years, superior varieties such as Longshu No.3, Zhuangshu No.3, Qingshu No.168, Qingshu No.9, Jizhangshu No.8, Neishu No.7, Kexin No.1, Atlantic, and Favorita have been introduced. A comprehensive four-tier system for the propagation of virus-free potato seed potatoes has been established...
Geographical Scope: Yuanzhou District of Guyuan City is located in the western part of China’s Loess Plateau, at the eastern foothills of the Liupan Mountains. It borders Huan County and Zhenyuan County of Gansu Province to the east; Pingliang City of Gansu Province and Jingyuan County and Longde County of Ningxia to the south; Xiji County and Haiyuan County to the west; and Tongxin County to the north. The area spans from 105°58′ to 106°30′ east longitude…
Zhangyi Town is located in the southwestern part of Yuanzhou District, Guyuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on the western side of the Liupan Mountains. It covers an area of 156.9 square kilometers and has a population of 29,000. The area features a cool and moist climate, a short frost-free period, with annual rainfall of 200–300 mm, most of which occurs during the three months of July to September. It is classified as a semi-humid to humid region, with an elevation…
Buckwheat flour can be made into noodles, jiaotuan (a type of porridge), steamed buns, or pressed into long strips using a wooden press to make "héLè." Once steamed, the noodles are tender yet smooth. They are typically served tossed with scallions, shredded meat, chili, and other seasonings. The taste is fragrant and delicious, offering a unique flavor. …
Peaches belong to the Rosaceae family and the genus Prunus. China has an extremely rich variety of peaches. According to statistics, there are over 1,000 varieties worldwide, more than 800 in China, and about 30 are used for commercial cultivation. Peaches are juicy, delicious, aromatic, brightly colored, and highly nutritious. Every 100 grams of pulp contains 7–15...
Ningxia specialty — Tremella fuciformis from Guyuan is a local product of Yinchuan, Ningxia. It generally takes about 18 days for the primordium to differentiate into the fruiting body. Compared to other edible fungi, Tremella is particularly delicate. A slight misstep in management can allow pests and diseases to take advantage, threatening production or even leading to the complete failure of a batch. Therefore, in the cultivation of Tremella...
This ten-dish banquet includes stewed meatballs, stewed sandwich slices, stewed shredded tripe, stewed mutton, stewed fake lotus seeds, stewed apples, stewed dog-tooth tofu, braised beef in brown sauce, stewed crispy pork, and stuffed rice. Though these are common dishes, each has its own distinct flavor. Stewed meatballs: the meatballs are tender and soft, with rich and fragrant broth; stewed sandwich slices: the slices are soft yet chewy, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside;…
Jingyuan Yellow Cattle Beef is a specialty of Jingyuan County, Guyuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Jingyuan County has truly become the largest core area for beef cattle breeding in the mountainous regions of southern Ningxia, as well as a distribution hub for the production, processing, and sales of beef cattle in northwest China. Jingyuan Yellow Cattle Beef is a nationally protected geographical indication agricultural product. Since ancient times, Jingyuan County has placed great emphasis on the development of animal husbandry. As far back as the Zhou Dynasty...