Start of Spring · Tea break · Yang Deficiency
Air-fried chive and prawn spring rolls
Spring rolls for Lichun's 'bite of spring' — a fragrant chive and prawn filling, crisp from the air fryer with very little oil.
- 40 min
- Serves 4
- Air-fry
- Medium
WarmingWarms kidney yangWarms & dispels cold
Why it suits you: Yang Deficiency means feeling the cold, with cold hands and feet. At Lichun yang is just stirring and early-spring chives are at their most fragrant; with warming prawns they support kidney yang. Air-frying keeps them crisp without the grease.
Method
Prep 25 min · Cook 15 min- 1Rub the prawns with a pinch of salt and 1 tsp cornflour, rinse and pat dry, then chop roughly. Wash and dry the chives and cut into 2 cm lengths.
- 2Slice the mushrooms. Fry them in a little oil until fragrant, add the prawns and stir-fry until pink. Off the heat, mix in the chives, salt and pepper, then leave to cool.
- 3Put 1 tbsp filling on each wrapper, fold in the sides and roll up tightly. Seal with the remaining 1 tsp cornflour mixed with a little water.
- 4Brush the rolls lightly with oil and air-fry at 180°C for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
- 5Eat hot, two per person, with a little Worcestershire sauce for dipping if you like.
Cautions
- Prawns are shellfish — swap in shredded lean pork if you are allergic. The wrappers contain gluten.
Chef's tips
- Make a batch and freeze the uncooked rolls; air-fry from frozen at 180°C for 15 minutes.
- Dry the chives well before mixing so the wrappers stay crisp, not soggy.
The TCM view
Chinese chives are pungent and warm; they warm the kidneys, support yang and move qi, and suit spring's rising energy. Prawns are sweet and warm and tonify kidney yang; shiitake is sweet and neutral and builds qi. A pinch of white pepper warms the middle — warming without being drying.
