Chinese herbal pharmacist Ai Okubo's Cell-Rejuvenating Food-as-Medicine Recipes for March

[March 2025]

Mustard greens to reset body and mind

The chilly air is gradually softening, and warm, spring-like days are becoming more frequent. However, spring brings many environmental changes, such as "flower chills" (a cold spell in spring), hazy skies due to pollen and PM2.5, and encounters and partings. In traditional Chinese medicine, the vernal equinox is considered one of two major turning points in the year for "yin and yang," making it a challenging time to manage one's health.
Even if you've been relaxing and focusing on warming your body, once the "yang" period begins, it's time to get active and boost your metabolism and detoxification functions by eating seasonal cruciferous and lily family vegetables, which are high in detoxifying properties.

◆This Month's Key Ingredient

Mustard Greens

It is said that in spring, consuming bitter ingredients helps to promote circulation and excrete toxins accumulated in the body. Mustard greens are rich in isothiocyanates, polyphenols, and alkaloids, which promote detoxification, and are also abundant in antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, making them an indispensable medicinal food for maintaining health during seasonal changes.

◆Recipe Introduction

Healing for body and mind
Mustard Green and Scallop Yukhoe

Scallops are rich in taurine, plasmalogen, minerals, and protein. Their strong umami flavor soothes mental and physical fatigue and aids detoxification, making this a medicinal food menu item to eat when you're feeling unwell.
→Watch how to make it in the video

Ingredients (for 2 servings)
Mustard greens 6 stalks
Scallop sashimi 4-6 pieces
Egg yolk 1

A)
Miso, Gochujang 1/2 tsp each
Mirin, Olive oil 1 tbsp each
Ground sesame seeds 2 tbsp
Grated garlic 1/2 clove
Salt, Black pepper to taste

Instructions
① Heat the mustard greens in the microwave (600W) for 1 minute, then cut into 1 cm pieces. Slice the scallops into thin strips.
② Mix the seasonings from A.
③ Mix all of ① and ② together and let sit.
④ Arrange on a plate, top with the egg yolk, and serve.

Point
*It also tastes delicious wrapped in nori seaweed.

Regulating bowel function
Mustard Green and Clam Oatmeal Risotto

This recipe uses oatmeal to save time and help regulate bowel function and blood sugar. Simmer it for a short time for risotto, or for a longer time for a thicker dish like curry or stew.
→Instructional video to be released soon

Ingredients (for 2 servings)
Mustard greens 6 stalks
Onion 1/2
Clams 150g
Oatmeal 8 tbsp
Miso 1 tbsp
Water 400ml
Soy milk 100ml
Ginger 1 slice
Soy sauce, Olive oil appropriate amount

Instructions
① Cut mustard greens into 3 cm pieces. Mince the onion.
② Sauté the onion in olive oil.
③ Add grated ginger, oatmeal, clams, water, and mustard greens to a pot and simmer for 5 minutes.
④ Add soy milk and dissolve the miso. Adjust seasoning with soy sauce if needed.

Point
*When de-gritting clams, a 500ml plastic bottle is convenient for making saltwater!
For 500ml of water, add 2 capfuls of salt to achieve the ideal salinity for de-gritting.

Profile

Ai Okubo

Pharmacist, Chinese medicine counselor. Studied Chinese medicine, medicinal cuisine, and oriental beauty at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, becoming the first Japanese person to acquire the International Chinese Medicine Beauty Specialist qualification. After managing Chinese pharmacies, dispensing pharmacies, and esthetic salons, she is now involved in product development, writing, and corporate consulting as an expert in medicine and beauty, including Chinese medicine and medicinal cuisine.
Official Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aivonne85/
Official Twitter:https://twitter.com/Ai_loveflower