Autumn Equinox · Lunch · Qi Deficiency
Braised pork ribs with chestnuts on rice
Tender pork ribs braised with sweet chestnuts and red dates — a warming lunchbox that keeps you going all afternoon.
- 50 min
- Serves 2
- Braise
- Easy
WarmingStrengthens digestion & qiStrengthens the kidneys
Why it suits you: Qi Deficiency means tiring easily and a poor appetite. Chestnuts support the kidneys and spleen while pork ribs and red dates build qi; as Autumn Equinox turns cooler, a slow braise is soft, easy to digest and keeps you going all afternoon.
Method
Prep 15 min · Cook 35 min- 1Marinate the ribs with the soy sauce and cornflour for 10 minutes.
- 2Fry the ginger in a little oil, brown the ribs lightly, then add the chestnuts, red dates, oyster sauce and 300 ml water.
- 3Cover and braise gently for 30 minutes until the ribs are tender and the chestnuts floury, then reduce the sauce and serve over rice.
- 4For a lunchbox, cook it the night before and microwave for 3 minutes.
Cautions
- Chestnuts can cause bloating, so keep portions moderate if your digestion is sluggish.
Chef's tips
- Fresh chestnuts: cut a slit in each shell and boil for 5 minutes, and they peel easily.
The TCM view
Chestnuts are sweet and warm and nourish the stomach, spleen and kidneys; pork ribs are sweet, salty and neutral and moisten; red dates are sweet and warm and build qi. Mostly sweet flavours — warming without drying, nourishing without heaviness.
