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PANguin

Spring · from 4 Feb

Start of Spring

立春

Nourish Liver Yang, protect against wind-cold.

Next: Rain Water on 18 Feb — 14 days

Tailor to a constitution

Steamed sand ginger chicken thighs with rice
Start of Spring · Lunch · Yang Deficiency

Steamed sand ginger chicken thighs with rice

Chicken thighs marinated with sand ginger and ginger, steamed for 15 minutes, with the juices spooned over rice.

  • 30 min
  • Serves 2
  • Steam
  • Easy
WarmingDispels coldWarms and replenishes qi

Why it suits you: Yang Deficiency means feeling the cold, with cold hands and feet, and the Start of Spring still brings cold winds. Sand ginger is pungent and warm, dispelling cold and opening the appetite, and chicken warms and replenishes qi. Steaming keeps it light.

Method

Prep 15 min · Cook 15 min
  1. 1Marinate the chicken with the sand ginger, ginger, soy sauce, wine and cornflour for 15 minutes.
  2. 2Spread on a plate and steam over high heat for 15 minutes until cooked.
  3. 3Scatter with spring onion, drizzle with a little hot oil and spoon over rice with the juices.

Chef's tips

  • Fresh sand ginger is sold at wet market vegetable stalls; if using ground, start with ½ tsp as it is pungent.

The TCM view

Sand ginger (kaempferia) is pungent and warm, warming the middle, dispelling cold and aiding digestion. Chicken is sweet and warm, warming the middle and replenishing qi; ginger and spring onion free yang. Warming without drying, it supports spring's rising yang.

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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.

Yang Deficiency

Feels the cold, with cold hands and feet

Enjoy: Fresh ginger · Lamb · Chinese chives · Walnuts and chestnuts · Longan

Go easy: Iced drinks · Cooling foods like watermelon and bitter melon · Too much green tea or herbal "cooling" tea

Not sure of your constitution?

Take the 4-minute test and meals will adjust automatically. Start

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.