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PANguin

Winter · from 5 Jan

Minor Cold

小寒

Warm Spleen and Kidneys, dispel cold.

Next: Major Cold on 20 Jan — 15 days

Tailor to a constitution

Dried shrimp and hairy gourd congee
Minor Cold · Breakfast · Balanced

Dried shrimp and hairy gourd congee

A mild winter congee: hairy gourd, dried shrimp and a little minced pork, hot and not greasy.

  • 50 min
  • Serves 2
  • Simmer
  • Easy
NeutralSupports the spleenLight and warming

Why it suits you: Minor Cold is one of the coldest points of the year. Hairy gourd stays light, dried shrimp lifts the flavour and a little pork makes the bowl nourishing — an even breakfast for a neutral constitution.

Method

Prep 15 min · Cook 35 min
  1. 1Rinse the rice and boil it with the water and ginger, then simmer for 25 minutes.
  2. 2Peel the gourd, discard the soft centre and dice it. Rinse and chop the dried shrimp.
  3. 3Add the pork and shrimp and simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. 4Add the gourd and cook until translucent. Season and scatter with spring onion.

Cautions

  • Dried shrimp is salty, so go easy on the salt.

Chef's tips

  • Add the gourd last so it keeps a little bite.

The TCM view

Hairy gourd is sweet, bland and cool; dried shrimp is sweet, salty and warm, supporting the kidneys and the appetite; pork builds qi and blood; rice strengthens the spleen. Balanced, it suits neutral types at Minor Cold.

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Seasonal principle

One of the coldest periods. Focus on warming the Kidneys and strengthening the Spleen to maintain energy. Consume hearty, mixed-grain porridges (like Laba congee) to provide sustained warmth and nutrition. Avoid cold drinks and raw foods entirely during this deep freeze.

In season now

In season around Minor Cold: Glutinous Rice, Red Bean, Peanut, Chestnut, Pork Ribs

Tap an ingredient for its nature, uses and nutrition.

Balanced

Yin–yang, qi and blood in good balance

Enjoy: Whole grains · Seasonal vegetables and fruit · Fish, eggs and tofu

Go easy: Overeating · Very greasy or spicy food · Lots of iced drinks

Not sure of your constitution?

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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.