Hey wellness warriors! ❄️ If you’re obsessed with TCM-inspired recipes that taste like a hug in a bowl, let me introduce you to my latest obsession: Five-White Oatmeal & Snow Fungus Porridge (五白燕麦银耳羹). Imagine silky oats, creamy milk, and collagen-boosting snow fungus swirling together into a warm, nourishing elixir. Perfect for chilly mornings, post-yoga fuel, or those days when your skin feels drier than the Sahara. Let’s get into why this porridge deserves a permanent spot in your wellness routine!
Why This Recipe is a Wellness Powerhouse
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), “white foods” like snow fungus, oats, and山药 (Chinese yam) are revered for moisturizing lungs, boosting digestion, and nourishing Yin energy—ideal for balancing modern stressors like screen fatigue, processed foods, or dry office air. This porridge is:
- Gut-friendly: Oats +yam= prebiotic fiber heaven for happy digestion.
- Skin-loving: Snow fungus is called “nature’s Botox” for its hydrating collagen-like properties.
- Immunity-boosting: Packed with zinc, antioxidants, and adaptogens to fight off seasonal bugs.
Plus, it’s vegan-friendly (swap dairy milk for almond or oat milk!) and gluten-free if using certified oats.
Key Ingredients & Their Superpowers
Let’s geek out on the TCM magic here:
- Snow Fungus : A TCM superstar for lung health and radiant skin. Soaks up liquid like a sponge, releasing hyaluronic acid-like compounds to plump your skin from within.
- Quaker Five-White Oats: Blends oats with lotus seeds, poria cocos, and other TCM herbs to calm inflammation and stabilize blood sugar.
- Chinese Yam: Soothes the spleen (TCM’s digestion HQ) and balances blood sugar—key for hormonal harmony.
- Milk (or Plant Milk): Adds creaminess + calcium for bone health.
- Rock Sugar/Optional Honey: Gentle sweetness that won’t spike cortisol (bye, stress eating!).
Who Needs This in Their Life?
- Dry Skin Squad: Snow fungus’s hydration game is unmatched.
- Digestive Drama Queens: Yam and oats team up to ease bloating.
- Immunity Warriors: Post-COVID, seasonal flu, or just needing a shield against office germs.
- Yin Deficiency Babes (think: night sweats, hot flashes): Replenishes fluids and cools the body.
How Often Should You Eat It?
For visible results (glowing skin, steady energy), aim for 3-4 times weekly. It’s light enough for breakfast but decadent enough for dessert!
Let’s Make It! (Step-by-Step)
Prep Time: 10 mins (plus soaking) | Cook Time: 25 mins
Ingredients (Serves 2):
- 10g dried snow fungus , soaked 2+ hours, trimmed & chopped
- 80g Quaker Oats
- 50g fresh Chinese yam, peeled & diced
- 200ml milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 tbsp rock sugar or honey (optional)
- Water as needed
Instructions:
1️⃣ Bloom the Fungus: Soak snow fungus in cold water until jelly-soft (2+ hours). Trim the hard base, rinse, and tear into bite-sized pieces.
2️⃣ Simmer the Base: In a pot, add soaked snow fungus + 500ml water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 mins until it’s gooey and translucent.
3️⃣ Add Oats & Yam: Stir in oats and diced yam. Cook another 5-8 mins on low heat—yam should be tender but not mushy.
4️⃣ Creamy Finish: Pour in milk and sweetener. Mix gently until warm (don’t boil milk to avoid curdling!).
5️⃣ Serve: Top with goji berries, crushed almonds, or a cinnamon sprinkle!
Pro Tips:
- For extra TCM vibes, add a pinch of ground lotus seeds or dried longan.
- Batch-cook the snow fungus base and store it for 3 days—just reheat with oats!
Why This Porridge > Your Usual Oatmeal
Unlike sugary instant oats, this recipe is a slow-release energy bomb. The combo of soluble fiber (oats), resistant starch (yam), and plant collagen (snow fungus) keeps you full for hours, stabilizes mood swings, and even supports liver detox. Plus, snow fungus is a fraction of the cost of fancy skincare serums—hello, budget-friendly glow!
Final Thoughts
I’ve been hooked on this porridge all winter. It’s my secret weapon for fighting “dry office face” and those 3pm energy crashes. The first spoonful feels like a spa day for your insides—creamy, subtly sweet, and deeply nourishing. Trust me, your gut (and Instagram selfies) will notice the difference.
Ready to glow from the inside out? Whip this up, snap a pic, and tag me—#TCMVibes! 🌸
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Stay radiant, sisters! xx