Start of Spring · Tea break · Qi Deficiency
Steamed Chinese yam with red dates and honey
Fresh Chinese yam steamed until soft and floury, with a drizzle of honey and slivers of red date — gentle, sweet and easy to digest.
- 25 min
- Serves 2
- Steam
- Easy
NeutralStrengthens digestion & qiSoothes & moistens
Why it suits you: Qi Deficiency means tiring easily with a weak appetite. Lichun advice is 'less sour, more sweet' to protect digestion; sweet yam and red dates build qi, and steamed soft they are easy to digest — filling but not heavy for the afternoon.
Method
Prep 10 min · Cook 15 min- 1Wearing gloves, peel the yam, cut it into 6 cm batons and keep them in cold water so they do not darken.
- 2Pit the red dates and cut into slivers. Drain the yam, lay it on a plate and scatter over half the dates.
- 3Steam over boiling water on high heat for 12–15 minutes, until a chopstick slides in easily and the yam is floury.
- 4Loosen the honey with 1 tbsp warm water. Let the yam cool slightly, drizzle with the honey and top with the rest of the dates.
Cautions
- Watching your blood sugar? Halve the honey and count the yam as your carbohydrate.
Chef's tips
- Fresh yam sap can make your hands itch, so wear gloves.
- Steam it the night before, microwave for 1 minute at the office, then add the honey.
The TCM view
Chinese yam is sweet and neutral and supports the spleen, lungs and kidneys; red dates are sweet and warm and build qi; honey is sweet and neutral, soothes the middle and moistens. Sweetness strengthens the spleen ('earth'), so the rising spring liver ('wood') does not overpower digestion.
