Introduction: “Taking care of the liver is taking care of life.” This is especially true for friends entering middle age and beyond, as the health of the liver is crucial for the smooth functioning of the whole body and longevity. Today, let’s talk about the three favorite dishes of the liver. They are not only delicious but also skilled in nourishing the liver and detoxifying, keeping you healthy all year long!
1. Crispy spinach, the little secret to nourishing the liver and brightening the eyes.
Spinach is a liver-nourishing gem on the dining table. An ancient saying goes: “Five colors go to the five internal organs, green is beneficial for the liver and spleen.” Spinach, with its abundant chlorophyll and various vitamins, has become our capable assistant in caring for the liver.
[Revealing the efficacy of ingredients]
Chlorophyll: Known as the “green blood,” it promotes blood circulation, helps the liver detoxify, and reduces the liver’s burden.
Vitamin K: Helps maintain normal blood clotting function in the liver, preventing bleeding disorders.
Iron: Good for blood replenishment, improves anemia, indirectly promotes liver health.
-Crispy spinach-
[Detailed cooking method]
Carefully selected ingredients: Choose fresh and tender spinach, wash and remove roots, drain and set aside.
Blanch to remove astringency: Bring a pot of water to a boil, add a little salt and a few drops of cooking oil to maintain the bright green color of the spinach. Quickly blanch the spinach, then remove and immediately rinse in cold water to maintain its crisp and tender texture.
Season and plate: Squeeze the blanched spinach dry, cut into sections or leave whole on a plate. According to personal taste, drizzle with a little soy sauce, vinegar, sprinkle with minced garlic, sesame, and a small amount of sesame oil. Stir gently and it’s ready to enjoy.
Spinach has a sweet and cool nature, enters the liver meridian, and has the effects of clearing heat, nourishing yin, and moistening dryness. Although “spinach nourishing the liver” is not directly mentioned in the “Compendium of Materia Medica,” the wisdom of “green for the liver” in health preservation has long been recognized by generations of medical experts. Spinach is indeed a standout in the green liver-nourishing army.
2. Goji berry stewed chicken, a warm soup that nourishes the liver and kidneys.
As the cold wind blows, a bowl of steaming goji berry stewed chicken warms not only the body but also the heart. It is an excellent nourishing dish for nourishing the liver and kidneys for middle-aged and elderly people. The perfect combination of goji berries and chicken seems like a liver-nourishing secret bestowed by nature.
[A grand display of ingredient benefits]
Goji berries: Viewed in traditional Chinese medicine as a sacred item for nourishing the liver, kidneys, improving eyesight, and benefiting essence. Rich in goji polysaccharides, it enhances immunity and promotes liver cell regeneration.
Chicken: Warm in nature and sweet in taste, enters the spleen and stomach meridians, it has the functions of warming the middle, benefiting qi, and nourishing essence; especially suitable for those with weakness in the liver and kidneys.
-Goji berry stewed chicken-
[Detailed cooking method]
Preparing the ingredients: Choose a mature hen, chop into pieces, wash thoroughly; soak an appropriate amount of goji berries in water.
Stewing process: Add an adequate amount of water to the pot, add the chicken pieces, bring to a boil, skim off the foam, then simmer over low heat. After about an hour, add the goji berries, some ginger slices, and green onion sections, continue stewing for another half an hour until the chicken is tender.
Season and serve: Adjust seasoning with salt according to taste, sprinkle with a little chopped green onion for aroma, then serve.
Goji berry stewed chicken, one yin and one yang, complement each other perfectly. Goji berries nourish yin and tonify the kidneys, while chicken warms the middle and benefits qi. When used together, they adhere to the traditional Chinese medicine principle of “balancing yin and yang,” significantly improving symptoms of liver and kidney deficiency and physical weakness in middle-aged and elderly people.
3. Black fungus sautéed with Chinese yam, a healthful delicacy for invigorating the spleen and nourishing the liver.
In the kitchen, the encounter between black fungus and Chinese yam is not just a feast of color and texture but also a manifestation of the health wisdom of invigorating the spleen and nourishing the liver. This dish, simple yet exquisite, is a common guest on the dining tables of middle-aged and elderly friends.
-Black fungus sautéed with Chinese yam-
[A duet of ingredients]
Black fungus: Known as the “plant-based meat,” rich in iron, calcium, and various minerals, purifies the blood, and promotes liver detoxification.
Chinese yam: With a neutral taste and sweet nature, entering the lung, spleen, and kidney meridians, it invigorates the spleen, benefits the stomach, nourishes the kidneys, and indirectly nourishes the liver.
[Detailed cooking method]
Preparing the ingredients: Pre-soak the black fungus, wash and tear into small pieces; peel and slice the Chinese yam, soak in water to prevent oxidation and discoloration.
Quick stir-fry: Heat oil in a wok, sauté the scallion, ginger, and garlic until fragrant, then add the sliced Chinese yam and stir-fry quickly until half-cooked. Add the black fungus and continue stir-frying.
Season and serve: Adjust seasoning with an appropriate amount of salt, chicken essence, stir-fry quickly and evenly, then serve on a plate.
The combination of black fungus and Chinese yam vividly reflects the concept of “food therapy” in traditional Chinese medicine. Black fungus promotes blood circulation and removes stasis, while Chinese yam invigorates the spleen and benefits qi. Together, they not only enhance the detoxification function of the liver but also strengthen the digestive system, establishing a solid health defense for the body.
As time goes by, health is always by our side. Through these three simple and easy-to-learn delicacies, we not only satisfy our taste buds but also silently guard the health of our liver in daily diet, laying a solid foundation for a healthy year. The liver, as our body’s “chemical factory,” is of utmost importance. The above three dishes are precious gifts bestowed by nature, each in its unique way, assisting in liver detoxification and repair, making our bodies lighter and more energetic.
