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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

Satay beef and glass noodle claypot
Minor Cold · Lunch · Yang Deficiency

Satay beef and glass noodle claypot

Fragrant satay sauce with thin beef and glass noodles in a bubbling claypot that warms you through.

  • 30 min
  • Serves 2
  • Claypot
  • Easy
WarmingWarms the middleBuilds qi and blood

Why it suits you: People with yang deficiency have cold hands and feet at Minor Cold. Beef is warming and satay sauce brings spice, so a hot claypot drives out the chill.

Method

Prep 15 min · Cook 15 min
  1. 1Soak the noodles in warm water; slice the beef thinly and marinate with soy and cornflour for 10 minutes.
  2. 2Fry the ginger and garlic in the claypot, then stir in the satay sauce.
  3. 3Add the cabbage and stock, bring to the boil, then add the noodles for 3 minutes.
  4. 4Add the beef, cook until just done and scatter with spring onion.

Cautions

  • Satay sauce contains peanut and shrimp — avoid if sensitive.

Chef's tips

  • Add the beef last; a minute is enough.

The TCM view

Beef is sweet and warm, building spleen, qi and blood; ginger and garlic disperse cold; satay sauce warms and opens the appetite.

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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

Not sure of your constitution?

Take the 4-minute test and meals will adjust automatically. Start

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.