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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

Prawns with celery and lily bulb on rice
Start of Spring · Lunch · Yin Deficiency

Prawns with celery and lily bulb on rice

Crisp celery, sweet fresh lily bulb and prawns in a fresh, colourful stir-fry, on the table in 15 minutes.

  • 16 min
  • Serves 2
  • Stir-fry
  • Easy
CoolingNourishes yinCalms the mind

Why it suits you: Yin Deficiency brings a dry mouth, warm palms and poor sleep, and the Start of Spring is dry. Fresh lily bulb moistens the lungs and calms the mind, celery cools the liver, and prawns nourish without drying, so lunch leaves no dry mouth.

Method

Prep 10 min · Cook 6 min
  1. 1Pat the prawns dry and toss with salt and cornflour. Blanch the celery and carrot for 1 minute and drain.
  2. 2Fry the garlic in hot oil until fragrant, then stir-fry the prawns until pink.
  3. 3Add the celery, carrot and lily bulb, stir-fry for 1 minute, season and serve with rice.

Cautions

  • If you react to prawns or other shellfish, use chicken strips instead.

Chef's tips

  • Add the lily bulb last and stop once it turns translucent, or it falls apart.

The TCM view

Fresh lily bulb is sweet and slightly cold, nourishing yin, moistening the lungs and calming the heart. Celery is sweet, bitter and cool, clearing heat and calming the liver; prawns are sweet and warm and support the kidneys. The cool, moist lily and celery balance the warm prawns.

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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.

Yin Deficiency

Dryness with a sense of inner heat

Enjoy: Lily bulb and snow fungus · Asian pear · Duck · Lotus root and tofu · Black sesame

Go easy: Spicy, fried and barbecued food · Too much coffee and alcohol · Warming, drying foods such as lamb

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.