On a frigid winter’s day, have your bones ever felt the deep chill of the season?  Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has an explanation for this phenomenon.  Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system that has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses for more than 2,000 years.  TCM is based on a belief in Yin and Yang – defined as opposing energies.  When yin and yang are in balance, you feel relaxed and energized.  When they are out of balance, your health suffers.  TCM practitioners also believe there is a life force or energy in every body, know as Qi (pronounced “chee”).  In order for yin and yang to be balanced hence a healthy body, Qi must be balanced and flowing freely.

Want recipes for chasing off winter’s chill?  For centuries TCM has stressed the importance of eating in harmony with nature to maintain a strong Qi and healthy body.  According to the TCM’s Five Element Theory, winter is the season of the kidney, the organ that “governs” the bones.  Therefore, during the winter, it is advised that we eat foods that are especially good for the kidney, such as black beans, seafood, nuts (particularly pine and walnuts), black sesame seeds, cauliflower, cinnamon, and black sesame.  Due to the kidney’s special relationship with the bones, eating bones in the form of soup can also help boost kidney Qi.

BONE SOUP

Ingredients

1-1/2 lbs. beef bones (preferably thighbones because they contain more marrow)

5 small to medium potatoes (cubed)

8-12 cherry/small plum tomatoes (cut into pieces)

½ medium-sized fennel bulb (chopped) (add more as you like)

A pinch or two of cinnamon

½ cup cooking wine

2-3 tbsp. oil

5-6 cups water

Salt to taste

NOTE:  Other vegetables such as carrots, celery, mushrooms, string beans, and onions may be used.

Directions

1. Rinse bones and set aside.
2. In a 4-5 quart stock pot, sauté the potatoes, tomatoes and fennel (and any other vegetables you add to the soup) in oil.  Sauteing vegetables first keeps them from becoming mushy in the soup.
3. Add bones, water, wine and spices.
4. Bring to a boil slowly, once boiling, turn down heat and let soup simmer for several hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove bones (Optional: you can scoop out any marrow remaining in the hollow of the bones and add to soup.  Serve hot.

NOTE:  This recipe can also be made in a crockpot.

BEAN SOUP

Ingredients

1 can black beans

1 can red kidney beans

1 can white beans

3 tsp. safflower oil

3 cloves of garlic (smashed)

3 stalks of celery (diced)

1 small onion (diced)

5-6 cups of water (boiling)

½ cup fresh mushrooms (sliced)

1 small sweet potato (diced)

1 small peeled apple (diced)

4 tbsp. diced orange peel (approx. 1 small orange)

1-1/2 tsp. salt

2-1/2 tsp. cinnamon

¼ cup white or red wine

Dash fish sauce

2 tbsp. butter

¼ cup heavy or light cream

1 tsp. cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp. cold water

3-4 scallions (diced)

1 tsp. sesame oil

NOTE:  Depending on your taste, different kinds of beans may be used.  Also, dry beans may be used, but soak them overnight and decrease liquid and cooking time accordingly.

Directions

1. Heat pot until hot, add oil, and continue to heat oil until very hot.
2. Add garlic, celery, onion and salt and sauté.
3. Add beans with liquid and enough water to cover mixture by 1-2 inches (approx. 6 cups).
4. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
5. Add mushrooms, sweet potato, apple, and orange peel.
6. Stir in cinnamon, wine, and fish sauce.
7. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes – add water, if necessary.
8. Stir in butter and cream.
9. Stir in the cornstarch and water mixture.
10. Add scallions and sesame oil.
11. Simmer for 5 minutes.

(Makes approximately 19 cups)

WALNUT & BLACK SESAME SEEDS

Ingredients

½ lb. walnuts

½ lb. black sesame seeds

3-4 oz. honey

Directions

1. Grind ingredients together in a blender.
2. Cook in a double boiler or steam for one hour.
3. After cooking, refrigerate.
4. Eat 2 tbsp. in the morning and evening.

NOTE:  This delicious simple recipe is good for increasing energy, longevity, and for healthy skin and hair.  It is particularly helpful for older people who suffer from constipation and coughs.

(Compiled by Stella Choi)