Winter · from 5 Jan

Minor Cold

Name: Lamb and sweetcorn congee with ginger
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: Lamb, thinly sliced 150 g; Sweetcorn kernels 100 g; Rice 70 g; Water 900 ml; Shredded ginger 2 tbsp; Shaoxing wine 1 tsp; Salt a pinch; Chopped spring onion a little

小寒

Warm Spleen and Kidneys, dispel cold.

Next: Major Cold on 20 Jan — 15 days

5 Jan 2026

Tailor to a constitution

Minor Cold · Breakfast · Yang Deficiency

Lamb and sweetcorn congee with ginger

Lamb, ginger and sweetcorn in hot congee — a Minor Cold breakfast for cold hands and feet.

55 min
Serves 2
Simmer
Easy

WarmingWarms yangWarms the stomach

Why it suits you: Yang-deficient types feel Minor Cold the most, and wake with icy hands and feet. Lamb and ginger both warm yang and dispel cold, and sweetcorn keeps the bowl gentle.

Method

Prep 15 min · Cook 40 min

1Marinate the lamb with the wine and half the ginger for 10 minutes.
2Boil the rice in the water, then simmer for 25 minutes.
3Add the sweetcorn and the rest of the ginger and simmer for 8 minutes.
4Add the lamb and cook until it just changes colour. Season and scatter with spring onion.

Cautions

Pause the lamb and ginger with a dry mouth, sore throat or other heat signs.

Chef's tips

Slice the lamb thin so it stays tender in the congee.

The TCM view

Lamb is sweet and warm, warming the middle and supporting the kidneys; ginger is pungent and warm, dispelling cold; sweetcorn is sweet and neutral, strengthening the spleen. It suits yang-deficient 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.

Yang Deficiency

Feels the cold, with cold hands and feet

Enjoy: Fresh ginger · Lamb · Chinese chives · Walnuts and chestnuts · Longan

Go easy: Iced drinks · Cooling foods like watermelon and bitter melon · Too much green tea or herbal "cooling" tea

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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.