Seasonal TCM Dietetics — Winter
Winter recipes
Warming, Yang-supporting and Essence-banking dishes for the cold, quiet months — slow broths, congees and teas.
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.
Lamb, Ginger & Angelica Warming Stew
當歸生薑羊肉湯 · Dāng Guī Shēng Jiāng Yáng Ròu Tāng
The classic Jīn Guì Yào Lüè warming stew — lamb and fresh ginger scatter interior cold while dāng guī nourishes Blood, for people who feel the cold in their bones all winter.
Yang Deficiency with Interior ColdWarm
2 h 20 minCook it
Black Bean, Walnut & Black Sesame Congee
黑豆核桃粥 · Hēi Dòu Hé Táo Zhōu
Black foods enter the Kidney. A slow congee of black bean, walnut and black sesame to bank Essence over the cold, quiet months.
Kidney Yang and Essence DepletionWarm
9 hCook it
Longan, Red Date & Cinnamon Tea
桂圓紅棗桂枝茶 · Guì Yuán Hóng Zǎo Guì Zhī Chá
A sweet afternoon tea for pale, tired, cold-handed winters — longan and red date build Blood while a little cinnamon twig moves warmth to the limbs.
Blood Deficiency with Cold ExtremitiesWarm
30 minCook it
Astragalus, Chicken & Goji Broth
黃芪枸杞雞湯 · Huáng Qí Gǒu Qǐ Jī Tāng
The winter broth for people who catch every cold going around — huáng qí lifts and consolidates Wèi Qì, chicken and goji rebuild the middle.
Qi Deficiency with Weak Defensive QiWarm
1 h 45 minCook it
Chestnut & Sweet Rice Congee
栗子糯米粥 · Lì Zǐ Nuò Mǐ Zhōu
Chestnut is the quiet workhorse of winter dietetics — sweet, warm, and steadying for loose stools, low back ache and a tired middle burner.
Spleen and Kidney Yang DeficiencyWarm
1 h 5 minCook it
Pumpkin, Fennel & Star Anise Soup
南瓜茴香八角湯 · Nán Guā Huí Xiāng Bā Jiǎo Tāng
A warming, aromatic soup for stiff, achy, cold-damp winters — pumpkin supports the Spleen while fennel and star anise disperse cold and move stagnant Qi.
Cold-Damp Obstruction (Cold Bì)Warm
50 minCook it
