Autumn Equinox · Tea break · Sensitive (Allergic)
Steamed pumpkin with lily bulb & red dates
Sweet, floury pumpkin steamed under fresh lily bulb petals and red dates — plain, gentle and easy on sensitive bodies.
- 22 min
- Serves 2
- Steam
- Easy
NeutralStrengthens digestion & qiMoistens lungs, firms defences
Why it suits you: Sensitive (Allergic) types are prone to sniffles and itchy skin, and the dry air and big day–night temperature swings around Autumn Equinox make flare-ups likelier. This plate avoids common allergens: pumpkin and red dates strengthen digestion and qi, and lily bulb moistens the lungs.
Method
Prep 10 min · Cook 12 min- 1Wash the pumpkin, scoop out the seeds and cut it into 1 cm slices, skin on. Arrange them on a plate.
- 2Separate the lily bulb into petals, trim any brown edges and rinse. Scatter them over the pumpkin with the red date slices.
- 3Steam over boiling water on high heat for 10–12 minutes, until a chopstick slides easily into the pumpkin.
- 4Drizzle with the honey if you like it sweeter. Eat warm, or pack it and reheat in the office microwave for 1 minute.
Chef's tips
- No fresh lily bulb? Use 15 g dried lily bulb, soaked for 1 hour first.
- Or microwave it: cover with cling film, leave a small vent and cook on high for 5–6 minutes.
The TCM view
Pumpkin and red dates are sweet and warm; they strengthen the spleen and build qi, and in TCM a strong spleen supports the lungs and the body's defensive qi. Lily bulb is sweet and slightly cold and moistens the lungs and calms the mind, countering autumn dryness. Warm and cool balance out to a neutral, gentle dish.
