Awakening of Insects · Lunch · Qi Deficiency
Steamed grass carp belly with fresh shiitake & millet rice
A 25-minute home lunch: tender steamed fish belly on sliced shiitake, with soft millet rice.
- 35 min
- Serves 2
- Steam
- Easy
NeutralStrengthens digestion & qiWarms the stomach
Why it suits you: Qi Deficiency means tiring easily and weak digestion, and the temperature swings of Awakening of Insects make it worse. Warming grass carp with shiitake and millet supports digestion, and steamed fish won't leave you sleepy all afternoon.
Method
Prep 10 min · Cook 25 min- 1Rinse the millet and rice and cook them in the rice cooker with the usual amount of water.
- 2Pat the fish dry and toss with a pinch of salt, the cornflour and ginger. Lay the shiitake on a plate and put the fish on top.
- 3Steam over boiling water on high for 8 minutes, until the flesh turns white and a chopstick slides in easily.
- 4Pour off the liquid, scatter over the spring onion, then pour over the hot oil and soy sauce. Serve with the millet rice.
Chef's tips
- Working from home? Marinate the fish the night before, keep it in the fridge and steam it at lunchtime.
The TCM view
Grass carp is sweet and warm and warms the stomach; shiitake is sweet and neutral and builds qi; millet is sweet and cool and settles the stomach, balancing the fish. Steamed with little oil, it nourishes without heaviness — right for spring, when a busy liver can strain digestion.
