Awakening of Insects · Lunch · Yang Deficiency
Black pepper beef & cabbage stir-fried udon
A warming lunchbox of springy udon with tender beef, sweet cabbage and onion, seasoned with cracked black pepper.
- 25 min
- Serves 2
- Stir-fry
- Easy
WarmingWarms & dispels coldBuilds qi & blood
Why it suits you: Yang Deficiency means feeling the cold, with cold hands and feet, and Awakening of Insects mornings and evenings are still chilly. Beef builds qi and blood while black pepper, onion and ginger warm you through — a hot lunchbox that keeps you warm at work.
Method
Prep 15 min · Cook 10 min- 1Marinate the beef with the soy sauce, a little cornflour and 1 tsp oil for 10 minutes. Soak the udon in boiling water for 1 minute, loosen and drain.
- 2Heat the wok with oil, fry the ginger and onion until fragrant, add the beef and stir-fry on high until 70% cooked, then lift out.
- 3Stir-fry the cabbage for 2 minutes until soft, then add the udon, oyster sauce and black pepper and toss.
- 4Return the beef and toss through. For a lunchbox, cook it the night before, sprinkle with water and microwave for 2–3 minutes.
Cautions
- Go easy on the pepper, and halve it if you have a sore throat or mouth ulcers.
Chef's tips
- Slice the beef against the grain so it stays tender.
The TCM view
Beef is sweet and warm and supports the spleen, qi and blood; black pepper is pungent and hot and onion pungent and warm, both dispelling cold; cabbage is sweet and neutral and settles the stomach, softening the pepper's heat. Warming without being drying.
