Spring · from 4 Feb

Start of Spring

Name: Pan-fried salmon with garlic spinach and rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: Salmon fillets 2 (about 300 g); Spinach 300 g; Garlic 3 cloves, minced; Fresh ginger 2 slices; Salt a pinch; Black pepper a pinch; Oil 1 tbsp; Cooked rice 2 bowls

立春

Nourish Liver Yang, protect against wind-cold.

Next: Rain Water on 18 Feb — 14 days

4 Feb 2026

Tailor to a constitution

Start of Spring · Lunch · Blood Stasis

Pan-fried salmon with garlic spinach and rice

Salmon fried until the skin crisps, then garlic spinach in the same pan: done in 15 minutes.

15 min
Serves 2
Pan-fry
Easy

WarmingWarms and moves bloodNourishes blood

Why it suits you: Blood Stasis shows as a dull complexion and cold hands and feet, and the cold of the Start of Spring slows the blood further. Salmon warms and nourishes, spinach builds blood and pungent, warm garlic gets things moving, all in 15 minutes.

Method

Prep 5 min · Cook 10 min

1Pat the salmon dry and season with salt and pepper. Fry skin side down over medium heat for 4 minutes until crisp, turn for 2 minutes and lift out.
2In the same pan fry the garlic and ginger until fragrant, add the spinach and stir-fry over high heat for 1 minute; season.
3Serve the salmon and spinach with rice.

Cautions

Spinach is high in oxalate; with a history of kidney stones, blanch it first.

The TCM view

Salmon is sweet and warm, restoring strength and warming the stomach. Spinach is sweet and cool, nourishing blood and freeing the vessels; garlic is pungent and warm, moving qi and dispersing stagnation. Warmth that moves, plus blood nourishment, keeps the blood flowing.

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Seasonal principle

Spring is the time of the Liver. Focus on gentle movement and eating foods that help the Liver Qi rise. Avoid heavy, greasy foods that can stagnate Qi. It is important to dress warmly to protect against the lingering winter cold, especially around the neck and joints. Engage in light stretching exercises to promote the smooth flow of Qi and blood throughout the body.

In season now

In season around Start of Spring: Chives, Coriander, Ginger, Dates, Honey

Tap an ingredient for its nature, uses and nutrition.

Blood Stasis

Sluggish circulation, dull tone, easy bruising

Enjoy: Black wood-ear fungus · Onion · Black beans · Hawthorn · Aubergine

Go easy: Raw and cold food · Very rich, fatty food · Sitting still for hours

Not sure of your constitution?

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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.