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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

Crab meat over pea shoots with rice
Minor Cold · Lunch · Yin Deficiency

Crab meat over pea shoots with rice

Tender pea shoots under a crab meat sauce — light, sweet and moistening for dry winter days.

  • 20 min
  • Serves 2
  • Braise in sauce
  • Easy
CoolingNourishes yinClears heat

Why it suits you: Minor Cold air is dry and people with yin deficiency get a dry mouth and throat. Crab is moistening and pea shoots are fresh, so nothing is heating.

Method

Prep 10 min · Cook 10 min
  1. 1Stir-fry the pea shoots with the ginger and a little oil, then plate.
  2. 2Bring the stock to the boil and add the crab and salt.
  3. 3Thicken with cornflour slaked in water.
  4. 4Pour the sauce over the greens and serve with rice.

Cautions

  • Crab is cold — avoid with a cold stomach or shellfish allergy.

Chef's tips

  • Don't overcook the crab so it stays sweet.

The TCM view

Crab is salty and cold, clearing heat and nourishing yin; pea shoots are sweet and neutral.

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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.

Yin Deficiency

Dryness with a sense of inner heat

Enjoy: Lily bulb and snow fungus · Asian pear · Duck · Lotus root and tofu · Black sesame

Go easy: Spicy, fried and barbecued food · Too much coffee and alcohol · Warming, drying foods such as lamb

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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.