Minor Cold · Lunch · Balanced
Shanghai rice with pak choi and ham
Rice cooked with chopped pak choi and cured ham — fragrant, filling and done in one pot.
- 45 min
- Serves 2
- Pot-cook
- Easy
NeutralSupports the spleenBalanced and filling
Why it suits you: On a cold Minor Cold day a one-pot rice of greens, a little ham and grain gives an even, satisfying lunch for a neutral constitution.
Method
Prep 15 min · Cook 30 min- 1Rinse the rice and soak for 20 minutes, then drain.
- 2Wash and chop the pak choi; dice the ham finely.
- 3Fry the ginger and ham in hot oil, then add the greens and stir until wilted.
- 4Add the rice and water, bring to the boil, cover and cook on low for 15 minutes. Rest 10 minutes off the heat and fluff.
Cautions
- Ham is salty, so add little extra salt.
Chef's tips
- Cook off the greens' water before adding the rice so it isn't soggy.
The TCM view
Pak choi is sweet and neutral and keeps things moving; ham is salty and warm, waking the appetite; rice supports qi. Balanced overall.
