Pearl barley with adzuki and daikon
A study recipe associated with the phlegm-damp-prone constitution (痰湿质, Tán Shī Zhì): a light soup of pearl barley, adzuki beans, and daikon.
A study recipe associated with the phlegm-damp-prone constitution (痰湿质, Tán Shī Zhì): a light soup of pearl barley, adzuki beans, and daikon.
Ingredients (4 servings)
- ½ cup pearl barley, rinsed Barley
- ½ cup adzuki beans, soaked 4 hours Adzuki bean
- 300 g daikon, in half-moons Daikon radish
- 1 small piece aged tangerine peel Aged tangerine peel
- 8 cups water and a pinch of salt
Preparation
- Simmer the barley, adzuki, and tangerine peel in the water 45 minutes.
- Add the daikon and cook 20 minutes more until translucent.
- Remove the peel, season, and rest 5 minutes.
- Serve hot as a soup or as a light dish with rice.
Traditional reading
The traditional repertoire associates this constitution with foods said to "transform dampness": a cool grain, adzuki beans, and moving daikon in a soup low in fat and sweetness. What is studied is the light ensemble, not a literal draining effect.
Variations
- Some repertoires swap the barley for Job’s tears (yi yi ren).
- With shiitake it gains umami without added fat.
Precautions
Barley contains gluten and is unsuitable for celiac disease. Soak and cook legumes thoroughly, increasing them gradually if they cause discomfort. Constitution is determined with a professional; this recipe is study material, not a personal plan.
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
