Tcm pumpkin lentil veg soup

 

Vegetarian Warming TCM Soup (Yang & Spleen Tonic)

Ingredients (serves 2–3):

• 1 small piece fresh ginger (3–4 slices) – warms stomach & Yang

• 1–2 pieces dried red dates – nourish blood & mild warmth

• 1–2 pieces dried goji berries – nourish blood & yin

• ½ cup dried shiitake mushrooms – tonifies Qi & adds umami- used fresh

• ½ cup pumpkin or squash – sweet, slightly warming, strengthens spleen

• 1 small carrot – sweet, supports spleen & digestion

• ½ cup cooked lentils or mung beans – Qi and blood support (mung beans are cooling, use sparingly)Tara used 1/4 cup dried red lentils

• 4–5 cups water or vegetable broth

• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional) – warming, adds richness

• Salt, to taste

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Instructions:

1. Prep dried ingredients: Soak shiitake mushrooms 20–30 minutes if dried, then slice.

2. Simmer base: In a pot, add water/broth, ginger, red dates, mushrooms, pumpkin, and carrot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

3. Simmer: Cook for 30–40 minutes until vegetables are tender.

4. Add beans & goji berries: Add pre-cooked lentils or a small amount of mung beans, and goji berries in the last 5–10 minutes.

5. Season & finish: Add salt and sesame oil. Serve warm.

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TCM Notes:

• Ginger + sesame oil: Main warming components.

• Pumpkin, carrot, mushrooms: Support spleen Qi, slightly warming.

• Red dates & goji berries: Tonify blood and mild warmth.

• Mung beans: Cooling if used too much; here, used sparingly to balance nutrition.

💡 Optional warming additions for extra Yang:

• Chinese yam (shan yao) – neutral/warm, strengthens spleen & stomach

• Astragalus root (huang qi) – boosts Qi, mild warmth

• Small pinch of cinnamon or dried tangerine peel – gently warms digestive system