Rice-cooker chicken and lotus root rice with red dates
Diced chicken, lotus root and red dates cooked with the rice in one pot — fluffy, fragrant and fuss-free, made from gentle ingredients that are kind to allergy-prone bodies.
- 50 min
- Serves 3
- Rice cooker
- Easy
Why it suits you: In summer a Special (allergy-prone) constitution should steer clear of common triggers such as seafood and mango. Cooked lotus root strengthens the spleen and nourishes blood, chicken warms the middle and boosts qi, and red dates nourish blood — all gentle, low-allergen ingredients, and the rice cooker does the work, so you needn't swelter in the kitchen.
Method
Prep 15 min · Cook 35 min- 1Dice the chicken and marinate with the soy sauce, cornflour, sesame oil and ginger for 15 minutes. Peel and finely dice the lotus root; stone and chop the dates.
- 2Rinse the rice, put it in the rice cooker with slightly less water than usual, and scatter the lotus root and dates on top.
- 3Start the cooker. After about 10 minutes, when the water is mostly absorbed, spread the chicken on top, close the lid and let it finish.
- 4When it clicks off, leave it covered for 10 minutes, then fold in the spring onion and serve.
Cautions
- Soy sauce contains soya and wheat; if you react to either, season with salt instead.
Chef's tips
- Keep the diced lotus root in water until needed so it doesn't darken.
The TCM view
Cooked lotus root is sweet and warm, strengthening the spleen, stimulating the appetite and nourishing blood. Chicken is sweet and warm, warming the middle and boosting qi; red dates are sweet and warm, supporting the middle, nourishing blood and calming the mind, and ginger settles the stomach. Mild and nourishing, it strengthens the spleen and qi, helping a Special constitution build resilience.
