Skip to content
PANguin

Spring · from 20 Mar

Spring Equinox

春分

Balance Yin and Yang, harmonize Qi and Blood.

Next: Clear and Bright on 5 Apr — 16 days

Tailor to a constitution

Stir-fried cuttlefish with asparagus and lily bulb
Spring Equinox · Dinner · Yin Deficiency

Stir-fried cuttlefish with asparagus and lily bulb

Crisp scored cuttlefish with asparagus and fresh lily bulb: sweet, moistening and pretty on the plate.

  • 25 min
  • Serves 3
  • Stir-fry
  • Easy
NeutralNourishes yin and bloodCalms the mind

Why it suits you: Yin-deficient types tend to get a dry mouth, warm palms and poor sleep around the Spring Equinox. Cuttlefish nourishes yin and blood, fresh lily bulb moistens the lungs and calms the heart, and asparagus clears heat and generates fluids.

Method

Prep 15 min · Cook 10 min
  1. 1Score the cuttlefish in a criss-cross pattern, cut into pieces and blanch for 30 seconds until they curl. Drain.
  2. 2Fry the ginger and garlic in the oil, add the asparagus for 2 minutes, then the lily bulb for 1 minute.
  3. 3Add the cuttlefish, splash in the wine, toss over high heat and season.

Cautions

  • Cuttlefish is fairly high in cholesterol; once or twice a week is plenty.

Chef's tips

  • Keep the blanching brief or the cuttlefish turns rubbery.

The TCM view

Cuttlefish is salty and neutral, nourishing blood and yin and the liver and kidneys. Lily bulb is sweet and slightly cold, nourishing yin, moistening the lungs and calming the mind; asparagus is sweet and cold and clears heat.

AI Recipe Studio

Want a dish made just for you?

Tell PANguin what’s in your fridge, how long you have and any health needs — it designs a recipe and saves it for you.

  • For Yin Deficiency
  • Right for Spring Equinox
  • Uses what you have
  • Nutrition + shopping list
Create my recipeAbout 20 seconds · free

Seasonal principle

Day and night are equal. Maintain balance in all things. Eat seasonal greens to refresh the body and harmonize internal energy. Avoid extreme temperatures in food and environment. Establish a regular sleep schedule to align with the balanced natural rhythms of the season.

In season now

In season around Spring Equinox: Bean Sprouts, Eggs, Wolfberries, Green Tea, Asparagus

Tap an ingredient for its nature, uses and nutrition.

Yin Deficiency

Dryness with a sense of inner heat

Enjoy: Lily bulb and snow fungus · Asian pear · Duck · Lotus root and tofu · Black sesame

Go easy: Spicy, fried and barbecued food · Too much coffee and alcohol · Warming, drying foods such as lamb

Not sure of your constitution?

Take the 4-minute test and meals will adjust automatically. Start

Based on traditional Chinese medicine for general wellness education — not a medical diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, are severe or unusual, please see a doctor or registered Chinese medicine practitioner.