Dried vegetables– tag –

Daikon radish comes into season in winter. Cool in nature, it is said to settle the flow of qi and ease coughs, phlegm and a heavy stomach. It is an all-purpose ingredient for simmered dishes or grated fresh.

Eggplant comes into season from summer into autumn. Cool in nature, it is said to clear excess heat and settle the flow of blood. Grilled, simmered or cooked any number of ways, it brings colour to the table in the hot months.

Spinach is a nourishing vegetable that comes into season from autumn into winter. In yakuzen terms it is held to replenish blood and cool heat in the body, and can be looked to for easing anaemia, constipation and irritability.

Shiitake is used to make dashi, the foundation of Japanese cooking, and is an ingredient rich cooking cannot do without. In yakuzen terms it is held to help the stomach work and build resilience. It is easy to bring in, in simmered dishes, soups and hotpots, and works in any season. Do bring it to your everyday table.

Broccoli is a nourishing vegetable that comes into season from winter into spring. In yakuzen terms it can be looked to for replenishing the Spleen and Kidney and strengthening the muscles and joints. Bringing it in as a salad or a soup is an easy way to get its nourishment and what it does. Do bring it to everyday meals and keep yourself well.

Kabocha squash comes into season from autumn into winter and is a nourishing vegetable. Seen through yakuzen, it can be looked to for rebuilding your strength and helping digestion. Simmered or in a soup, you take in its sweetness and its nourishment to good effect. Exactly right for the turn of the season and for cold weather.

Ginger is said to warm the body and ease trouble brought on by cold. It can be looked to for caring for the throat and gut while helping the appetite. On a cold day, add it to a soup or a simmered dish and make something that warms you to the core.

Cabbage is said to care for the gut and help digestion. When your stomach feels heavy or tiredness will not lift, try it raw in a salad, or simmered to draw out its sweetness.

Beetroot can be looked to for helping the flow of blood and settling circulation. When poor circulation shows as irregular or painful periods or stiff muscles, do try dishes made with beetroot. Nourishing and beautiful in colour, it is easy to bring to the everyday table in soups, salads and smoothies.

Tomato is said to cool the body and clear excess heat. It is the one when the heat leaves you thirsty or your appetite drops. Enjoy its clean sourness in a salad or a cold soup, and refresh the body from within.