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PANguin

Spring · from 5 Apr

Clear and Bright

清明

Clear heat, nourish Liver and Kidney.

Next: Grain Rain on 20 Apr — 15 days

Tailor to a constitution

Lean pork congee with choy sum
Clear and Bright · Breakfast · Sensitive (Allergic)

Lean pork congee with choy sum

A simple, gentle congee with minced lean pork and chopped choy sum: sweet, easy to digest and kind to sensitive systems.

  • 1 hr 10 min
  • Serves 2
  • Simmer
  • Easy
NeutralSupports the spleenStrengthens resistance

Why it suits you: Special (allergic) types are prone to hay fever and itchy skin with the temperature swings and humidity of Clear and Bright. This congee keeps to the simplest ingredients with no trigger foods: lean pork and rice support the spleen and qi, and choy sum keeps it light.

Method

Prep 10 min · Cook 60 min
  1. 1The night before, rinse the rice and put it in the rice cooker with the water and ginger on the porridge programme timer.
  2. 2Mix the minced pork with a little salt and the cornflour. Wash and chop the choy sum.
  3. 3In the morning bring the congee to the boil, stir in the pork to break it up and simmer for 3 minutes, then add the choy sum for 1 minute and season.

Chef's tips

  • Season the pork the night before and keep it in the fridge so it can go straight into the congee.

The TCM view

Lean pork is sweet, salty and neutral, nourishing yin and tonifying weakness. Rice is sweet and neutral and supports qi and digestion; choy sum harmonises the middle and ginger warms it. Together they gently strengthen the spleen and the body's resistance.

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Seasonal principle

A time for reflection and clearing internal heat. Focus on foods that support the Liver and Kidneys while keeping the body light. Spend time outdoors to absorb the fresh spring air, but protect yourself from sudden temperature drops. Incorporate gentle stretching to release physical and emotional tension.

In season now

In season around Clear and Bright: Mugwort, Mulberry, Black Sesame, Walnuts, Seaweed

Tap an ingredient for its nature, uses and nutrition.

Sensitive (Allergic)

Sensitive and prone to allergies

Enjoy: Simple, balanced home cooking · Chinese yam and red dates · Brown rice and seasonal vegetables

Go easy: Anything you know you react to · Very spicy food · Alcohol

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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.