Frost's Descent · Breakfast · Qi Stagnation
Rose soy milk with steamed chestnuts
Hot soy milk scented with rosebuds, with floury steamed chestnuts and a boiled egg — a breakfast that lifts the mood.
- 30 min
- Serves 2
- Steam
- Easy
NeutralSoothes the liverMoistens & replenishes
Why it suits you: Qi Stagnation brings low moods and a tight chest. Rosebuds soothe the liver and lift the spirits with their scent, soy milk moistens Frost's Descent dryness, and chestnuts and egg keep you full — a lighter-hearted start to the day.
Method
Prep 10 min · Cook 20 min- 1Steam the chestnuts over high heat for 15 minutes until floury. Meanwhile, boil the eggs in another pan for 8 minutes.
- 2Warm the soy milk with the red dates over low heat until just simmering, turn off the heat, add the rosebuds, cover and leave for 5 minutes.
- 3Strain out the rosebuds, sweeten with a little honey if you like and serve warm with the chestnuts and eggs.
Cautions
- Rosebuds move blood, so avoid this drink during pregnancy.
Chef's tips
- Don't boil the rosebuds in the soy milk — steep them off the heat so the fragrance doesn't turn bitter.
The TCM view
Rosebud is sweet, slightly bitter and warm, soothing the liver and harmonising blood; soy milk is sweet and neutral, moistening and replenishing; chestnut is sweet and warm and strengthens the spleen and kidneys; red dates nourish blood and calm the mind. Fragrant liver-soothing paired with gentle moistening moves qi without draining it.
