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PANguin

Winter · from 20 Jan

Major Cold

大寒

Warm and nourish, prepare for Spring.

Next: Start of Spring on 4 Feb — 15 days

Tailor to a constitution

Sea cucumber millet porridge
Major Cold · Breakfast · Yin Deficiency

Sea cucumber millet porridge

Soft sea cucumber in golden millet porridge — moistening and nourishing for dry winter days.

  • 55 min
  • Serves 2
  • Simmer
  • Medium
NeutralNourishes yinSupports the kidneys

Why it suits you: Major Cold air is dry and cold; yin-deficient people get a dry mouth, dry skin and poor sleep. Sea cucumber nourishes yin and millet calms the stomach.

Method

Prep 15 min · Cook 40 min
  1. 1Use pre-soaked sea cucumber, slice it and blanch with ginger for 2 minutes.
  2. 2Rinse the millet, boil with the stock and simmer for 30 minutes.
  3. 3Add the sea cucumber for 5 minutes.
  4. 4Add the goji berries and salt and scatter with spring onion.

Cautions

  • Clean sea cucumber thoroughly; go easy with a weak stomach.

Chef's tips

  • Ready-to-cook frozen sea cucumber saves soaking time.

The TCM view

Sea cucumber is sweet, salty and neutral, nourishing the kidneys and blood; millet is cool and calming; goji nourishes liver and kidneys.

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Seasonal principle

The last term of the year. Protect against extreme cold while preparing the body for the coming Spring. Transition from heavy, greasy tonics to more balanced, gentle nourishment. Start incorporating slightly pungent foods to help the body's energy begin its upward movement for spring.

In season now

In season around Major Cold: Chicken, Yam, Dates, Goji Berries, Black Fungus

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

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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.