Seasonal TCM Dietetics — Spring
Spring recipes
Fresh, aromatic and gently balancing dishes for the rising energy of spring — organised across six practical TCM patterns.
Each recipe has a full ingredient list, step-by-step method and a printable A4 recipe card you can hand to a patient or stick on the kitchen wall.
Rose & Tangerine Sprout Stir-Fry
玫瑰陳皮炒豆芽 · Méi Guī Chén Pí Chǎo Dòu Yá
A crisp, fragrant plate using edible rose and aged tangerine peel to bring lift to an everyday spring meal.
Liver Qi StagnationNeutral
16 minCook it
Mint, Barley & Pea Congee
薄荷青豆大麥粥 · Bò He Qīng Dòu Dà Mài Zhōu
Pearl barley, sweet peas and a fresh mint finish make a light breakfast for warmer spring mornings.
Liver Qi StagnationCool
50 minCook it
Citrus, Fennel & Snapper Broth
陳皮茴香魚湯 · Chén Pí Huí Xiāng Yú Tāng
A clear fish broth with aromatic fennel and tangerine peel, kept light enough for a fresh spring lunch.
Liver Qi StagnationWarm
40 minCook it
Chrysanthemum Tofu Clear Soup
菊花豆腐清湯 · Jú Huā Dòu Fu Qīng Tāng
Silken tofu, enoki and chrysanthemum make a delicate, gently cooling bowl for a tense spring evening.
Liver Yang RisingCooling
26 minCook it
Celery, Kelp & Wood Ear Salad
涼拌芹菜海帶木耳 · Liáng Bàn Qín Cài Hǎi Dài Mù Ěr
A crisp, mineral-rich salad with clean vinegar and sesame notes, served cool rather than icy.
Liver Yang RisingCooling
20 minCook it
Mung Bean & Water Chestnut Sweet Soup
綠豆馬蹄糖水 · Lǜ Dòu Mǎ Tí Táng Shuǐ
Tender mung beans and crisp water chestnuts make a lightly sweet dessert for the warmer end of spring.
Liver Yang RisingCooling
45 minCook it
Red Date & Black Sesame Porridge
紅棗黑芝麻粥 · Hóng Zǎo Hēi Zhī Ma Zhōu
A creamy, seed-rich breakfast with red dates and goji for a satisfying start after a demanding week.
Liver Blood DeficiencyWarm
50 minCook it
Warm Beetroot, Spinach & Walnut Salad
甜菜菠菜核桃溫拌 · Tián Cài Bō Cài Hé Táo Wēn Bàn
Warm roasted beetroot, wilted spinach and walnuts bring colour and substance without relying on medicinal ingredients.
Liver Blood DeficiencyNeutral
55 minCook it
Longan, Goji & Chicken Soup
龍眼枸杞燉雞湯 · Lóng Yǎn Gǒu Qǐ Dùn Jī Tāng
A slow, clear chicken soup with longan, dates and goji, intended as nourishing food rather than a blood-disorder treatment.
Liver Blood DeficiencyWarm
1 h 45 minCook it
Ginger & Tangerine Steamed Pumpkin
薑汁陳皮蒸南瓜 · Jiāng Zhī Chén Pí Zhēng Nán Guā
Soft pumpkin with ginger and tangerine peel is a simple warm side for digestion that feels unsettled by stress.
Liver–Spleen DisharmonyWarm
30 minCook it
Millet & Chinese Yam Congee
小米山藥粥 · Xiǎo Mǐ Shān Yào Zhōu
Millet and Chinese yam cook down to a mild, comforting congee that works well when appetite needs simplicity.
Liver–Spleen DisharmonyNeutral
45 minCook it
Fennel & Chicken Spring Stir-Fry
茴香雞絲小炒 · Huí Xiāng Jī Sī Xiǎo Chǎo
Tender chicken and fresh fennel make a quick aromatic main that stays light and easy to portion.
Liver–Spleen DisharmonyWarm
25 minCook it
Spring Onion & Ginger Warming Broth
蔥薑暖湯 · Cōng Jiāng Nuǎn Tāng
A simple savoury broth for warmth and comfort after exposure to cool, gusty spring weather.
External WindWarming
20 minCook it
Coriander & Vinegar Noodle Soup
香菜醋湯麵 · Xiāng Cài Cù Tāng Miàn
Hot noodles, ginger and coriander make a light, steaming bowl for an unsettled day of changeable weather.
External WindWarm
25 minCook it
Perilla, Ginger & Rice Congee
紫蘇生薑粥 · Zǐ Sū Shēng Jiāng Zhōu
Soft rice congee finished with perilla and ginger offers gentle warmth without a heavy meal.
External WindWarm
45 minCook it
Job's Tears & Pumpkin Congee
薏米南瓜粥 · Yì Mǐ Nán Guā Zhōu
Pumpkin and Job's tears make a mild, warmly served congee for damp, slow spring mornings.
Spring Dampness with Spleen Qi DeficiencyNeutral
55 minCook it
Shiitake, Carrot & Poria Rice
香菇胡蘿蔔茯苓飯 · Xiāng Gū Hú Luó Bo Fú Líng Fàn
A savoury steamed rice bowl with mushroom, carrot and a small culinary amount of poria powder.
Spring Dampness with Spleen Qi DeficiencyNeutral
35 minCook it
Ginger Root-Vegetable Spring Stew
薑香根菜燉 · Jiāng Xiāng Gēn Cài Dùn
Chinese yam, carrot and daikon simmer with ginger in a light, grounding stew for wet spring weather.
Spring Dampness with Spleen Qi DeficiencyWarming
55 minCook it
