Baked Spiced Rhubarb
By Ellen Goldsmith
Spring Rain Grows the Grain
Spring brings a different type of rain, one that nourishes the plants. In the Chinese agricultural calendar, we are in the seasonal node of Grain Rain, which starts on approximately April 19th.
As the weather continues its dance between sun and clouds, warmth and chill, still air and wind we continue our journey through spring. Soon, the cold snaps will ease and we will feel the warmth of the sun. For now, this period is known for its wet weather (April Showers brings May Flowers) and the planting has begun. New growth and vegetables are beginning to be more evident. This is a time to nourish ourselves to bring us into balance with the changing season and promote the movement of qi and blood with easy digestion.
Liver Qi and Stress
According to Chinese medicine, spring is the time of the liver qi. The Liver regulates the smooth and harmonious low of qi in the body, thus affecting the smooth movement of muscles and joints as well as our inner sense of flow and ease.
Our bodies and minds are more sensitive to stress than we may be aware of. Stress and tension can accumulate activating the sympathetic nervous system, sending adrenaline coursing through the body, constricting blood vessels and muscles, increasing heart rate and preparing the body for survival, even if our survival is not threatened.
Stress can lead to muscle tension can bring on neck pain and headaches, and can stir up feelings of frustration, impatience and irritability. Stress can also exacerbate sleep issues, digestive distress, peri and menopausal symptoms, indigestion, menstrual issues, bloating and a general feeling of overwhelm.
Whew! So what can we do?
Move Your Qi
Move your body in ways that you enjoy! Movement is natural and any movement you do daily is great: dance, walk, bike, run, stretch, do yoga, tai chi, Qi Gong, hike, stretch and always practice breathing deeply into your entire body.
Here is a stress reducing breathing exercise:
Breathe in through your nose for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts and slowly exhale through your mouth another for 4 counts as if you are bending a flame on a candle. Repeat 3 times and take a moment to feel the difference in your body.
Nourishing Foods
Nourishment ought to bring you sense of pleasure and ease. You can include many leafy greens available now. Include herbs and aromatic spices to add more flavor to your foods. In fact, aromatic kitchen spices are very therapeutic, bringing warmth and supporting the movement of your digestive system, while adding delicious flavor to dishes.
Some lovely spring herbs and spices include; nettles (see my last blog post for a nettles recipe), mint, chrysanthemum flowers, rose buds and petals, lemon balm, ginger root, dill, basil, thyme, rosemary and turmeric. Simple food grade Chinese herbs in soups and grains are also beneficial, including jobs tears, Chinese yam (dioscorea/Shan Yao), white peony (Bai Shao), and goji berries.
Nettles, rose, and chrysanthemum
Include other spring vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, dandelion greens (boiled, sauteed or in salads), romaine lettuce, chicory, escarole, rhubarb, micro-greens, sprouts and fresh peas.
Rhubarb is our featured vegetable this month with a twist for this period of spring. Rhubarb root (da huang) is used in Chinese herbal medicine to help with constipation.
Rhubarb’s flavor is bitter and its thermal nature is cold, so it helps to clear out heat and purge. It is a hardy perennial garden plant thriving in sunny spots. The stalk of rhubarb, which is what we use in the kitchen, has a long culinary history. Below you will find a simple and satisfying rhubarb dessert, but you can also find lovely salsa recipes and beverage recipes.
RECIPE
Baked Spiced Rhubarb
Vibrant rhubarb stalks are one of the first plants to emerge from the ground in the spring. Rhubarb is a vegetable that is mostly treated like a fruit; it’s a star in pies and cobblers. This warm, comforting, easy -to-make dessert is nice on a windy spring day. The shape and texture of the rhubarb holds up nicely when it’s baked – you will be pleasantly surprised.
Makes 6 servings.
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
Use a 13- by 9-inch (33 by 23 cm) glass baking dish
Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened white grape juice
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 lbs fresh rhubarb stalks, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1inch
1/2 cup liquid honey
2 tsp ginger juice
Tip: To make ginger juice, grate ginger root and press through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl. Discard fibers.
Preparation Instructions
In baking dish, whisk grape juice with cinnamon. Add rhubarb. Drizzle with honey and ginger juice.
Cover tightly with foil and bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until liquid is bubbling vigorously. Uncover and bake, stirring gently once or twice, for 15 minutes or until almost no liquid remains. Serve warm. (To make ahead, let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Reheat before serving.)
Spoon into serving bowls. Serve immediately.
HEALTH TIP
Rhubarb’s sour flavor, astringency and cold nature make it an excellent food for clearing out excess internal heat that builds up over the winter. It is also beneficial for people who suffer from constipation. While rhubarb stalks are safe to eat, they do contain some oxalic acid . Eat them sparingly if you suffer from any inflammatory joint conditions, or kidney issues,which can be exacerbated by this compound .Do not eat rhubarb leaves — they contain dangerously high levels of oxalic acid .
To see more recipes, purchase Ellen’s book here or on Amazon here. Makes a great gift!
© 2017 All rights reserved: Nutritional Healing with Chinese Medicine: + 175 Recipes for Optimal Health, Ellen Goldsmith, MSOM, L.Ac., Dip.C.H., with Maya Klein, Ph.D.
CHINESE HERBALIST & LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST
Ellen Goldsmith is a nationally board certified, licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. Her integrative body centered and intuitive approach is grounded in decades of study and experience which are key to collaborating and working with people to help them reach their goals.
She is known for her enduring confidence that each person has the power within to resolve challenges, grow and heal.
From working with AIDS patients in the 80s, to trauma survivors, to performing artists, to high functioning professionals, elders and young people, Ellen is deeply equipped to guide people through challenging issues.
