Pseudostellaria, lotus seed and pork congee
Pseudostellaria boosts qi without heating, lotus seeds turn soft and floury and the pork stays silky. Soak everything the night before and breakfast is one pot.
- 1 hr 5 min
- Serves 2
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: Qi-deficient people tire easily and sweat a lot, and the fierce heat of Minor Heat means more sweat and more lost qi, leaving them flat and off their food. Pseudostellaria boosts qi and generates fluids without heating, ideal for summer, and lotus seeds strengthen the spleen and calm the heart. As a pork congee it is easy to digest and gently tonifying.
Method
Prep 10 min · Cook 55 min- 1Rinse the lotus seeds and pseudostellaria and soak them overnight, or for at least 1 hour. Rinse the rice and toss with a pinch of salt and the oil; leave for 30 minutes.
- 2Bring the water to the boil, add the rice, lotus seeds, pseudostellaria and red dates, return to the boil, then simmer half-covered for 50 minutes until the lotus seeds are soft.
- 3Toss the pork with a pinch of salt and the cornflour and leave for 10 minutes.
- 4Turn the heat to medium, add the pork, separating the slices, and cook for 3 minutes until done. Season with salt and scatter with spring onion.
Cautions
- Pause during a cold or fever, or if you feel bloated with indigestion.
Chef's tips
- Buy cored lotus seeds or they'll taste bitter; pseudostellaria is sold at Chinese herbal shops and costs far less than ginseng.
The TCM view
Pseudostellaria is sweet, slightly bitter and neutral, boosting qi, strengthening the spleen and generating fluids — known as the gentle, cooling ginseng. Lotus seeds are sweet, astringent and neutral, tonifying the spleen and calming the spirit. Pork is sweet, salty and neutral, nourishing yin, and red dates tonify the middle. Gently tonifying without adding heat, it follows the Minor Heat principle of strengthening the spleen and calming the heart.
