Apple and red date oat porridge
Oats simmered with red dates and diced apple — naturally sweet with no added sugar, gentle on the stomach and ready in ten minutes.
- 15 min
- Serves 2
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: People with an allergic constitution react easily — hay fever and itchy skin are common — so meals should be simple, gentle and unprovocative. Oats and red dates strengthen the spleen and boost qi, apple strengthens the spleen and generates fluids, and all are low-allergen ingredients. A stronger spleen means steadier protective qi.
Method
Prep 5 min · Cook 10 min- 1Pit and slice the red dates. Wash, core and finely dice the apple, leaving the skin on.
- 2Bring the water and dates to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes, then add the oats and half the apple and cook for 5 minutes until thick, stirring.
- 3Stir in the goji berries, spoon into bowls and top with the remaining apple.
Cautions
- If you are sensitive to gluten, choose oats labelled gluten-free.
Chef's tips
- Traditional rolled oats give the best texture; for more sweetness add a couple more dates rather than sugar.
The TCM view
Oats are sweet and neutral, strengthening the spleen, boosting qi and checking sweating. Red dates are sweet and warm, tonifying the middle and nourishing blood. Apple is sweet, sour and cool, strengthening the spleen and generating fluids; goji berries nourish the liver and kidneys. Gentle and neutral, it builds spleen and lung qi, which supports protective qi against outside triggers.
