Solomon's seal, ophiopogon and lean pork congee
Rice congee simmered with Solomon's seal and ophiopogon and finished with tender pork — sweet, never drying, and a gentle way to replenish fluids each morning.
- 55 min
- Serves 2
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: Yin-deficient people tend towards a dry mouth, hot palms and soles and poor sleep, and the heat and sweating of Grain in Ear use up fluids further. Solomon's seal and ophiopogon both nourish yin and generate fluids, and pork moistens dryness. A gentle bowl of congee keeps you moistened all day.
Method
Prep 10 min · Cook 45 min- 1Rinse the Solomon's seal and ophiopogon and soak for 10 minutes; rinse the rice. Marinate the pork with the soy sauce and cornflour for 10 minutes.
- 2Bring the water to the boil, add the rice and herbs, return to the boil, then simmer half-covered for 40 minutes until creamy.
- 3Stir in the pork, simmer for 3 minutes until cooked, season with salt and scatter over the spring onion.
Cautions
- Not for those with a cold, weak stomach, loose stools or heavy phlegm-damp.
Chef's tips
- Choose pale, plump pieces from a herbal shop; lightly crush the ophiopogon so it releases its flavour faster.
The TCM view
Solomon's seal is sweet and slightly cold, nourishing yin, moistening dryness and relieving thirst. Ophiopogon is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly cold, nourishing yin, moistening the lungs and clearing the heart. Lean pork is sweet, salty and neutral, nourishing yin; rice tonifies the middle. The cool herbs are balanced by the neutral pork and rice, so it nourishes yin without heaviness.
