CookbookSpringRecipes

    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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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

      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