Recipes for the Heart
TCM maintains that the Heart not only controls blood circulation but also governs all mental activities, including consciousness and thought. The Heart is most sensitive to excess Fire. When excess Fire is lodged in the Heart, some common symptoms are chest tightness, disturbed sleep with lots of dream, red tongue tip, painful armpits and irregular heartbeat. The accompanying recipes are all reduce excess heart fire in various degrees and settle the mind.
Note: All recipes serve 2
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Double Mushrooms Braised with Chicken
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Ingredients:
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| American Ginseng |
15g |
| Red Dates |
10 pieces (without pits) |
| Polygala Roots |
20g |
| Chicken |
300g |
| Canned Mushrooms |
50g (sliced) |
| Black Wood-ear Mushrooms |
25g |
| Yellow Pepper |
1 whole fruit (sliced into bite sizes) |
| Salt |
A little |
| Soy Sauce |
1 tablespoon |
| Ginger |
1 tablespoon (sliced thinly) |
| Cornstarch |
1 tablespoon |
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Instructions:
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1. Wash and slice the chicken into bite-size chunks then tap to dry with a piece of cloth.
2. Add half the amount of the soy sauce and ginger liqueur to marinate the chicken for 20 minutes.
3. Coat the chicken with cornstarch and stir-fry the chicken chunks till the meat turn yellowish. Scoop out.
4. Add the remaining ingredients, except the canned mushrooms and yellow pepper, into a clay pot with some water and simmer for half an hour.
5. Add in the canned mushrooms, yellow pepper and remaining soy sauce. Continue to simmer until it is almost dry.
6. Add salt to taste. |
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Comments:
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1. An overarching benefit of many mushrooms is that all are able to reduce ‘stickiness’ in the body system. The ‘stickiness’ can be perceived as cholesterol, Phlegm, and nodules that obstruct free flowing circulation.
2. Chicken nourishes the Blood and Qi (vital energy). Polygala root and American ginseng support the phlegm reducing properties of this recipe.
3. Besides being good for the Heart, this is also a good confinement recipe for new mothers. Black Wood-ear mushroom is commonly used in post-natal recipes to dissolve blood clots in the uterus and prevent dryness. |
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Disclaimer:
The recipes on this website are crafted and referenced from time-tested practices of Traditional Chinese herbalogy and classical Chinese medical texts. Readers should use their own discretion before incorporating the recipes into their diet and consult their doctor if they have any medical conditions.
Special Thanks to:
- Mr Lee Jok Keng for concepts, general editing and comments on the recipes.
- Mr Jack Shea of Shea Studio for food photography.
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