Congees
Pumpkin and Lily Bulb Porridge
Pumpkin and lily bulb porridge is a classic nourishing porridge that combines the sweetness of pumpkin with the delicate fragrance of lily bulbs. Pumpkin, warm in nature and sweet in taste, tonifies the middle qi and warms the spleen and stomach. Lily bulbs, slightly cold in nature and sweet in taste, moisten the lungs, relieve coughs, and calm the mind. One warms and tonifies, the other clears and soothes – creating a perfect balance. The porridge is golden, thick, and creamy, with the soft sweetness of pumpkin and the gentle fragrance of lily. It is especially suitable for the dry autumn season, helping to moisturize the lungs and calm the mind.
Main Ingredients
- Pumpkin 200-250g
- Fresh lily bulbs 1-2 pcs (approx. 50g; or dried lily bulbs 20g, soaked in advance)
- Rice (or fragrant rice) 80-100g
- Glutinous rice 30-50g
- Rock sugar to taste
- Water approx. 1.2-1.5L
Steps
Peel and deseed the pumpkin, cut into approx. 2cm chunks. Rinse the rice and glutinous rice (if using) and soak for 30 minutes. Separate the fresh lily bulbs into petals, rinse, and drain.
Bring water to a boil in a pot. Add the soaked rice, bring to a boil again, then reduce to low heat.
Add the pumpkin chunks and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the pumpkin is tender and the porridge thickens. (For a smoother texture, steam or microwave the pumpkin and mash it before adding.)
Add the fresh lily petals and cook for 5-10 minutes until they become slightly translucent and just cooked through. (Do not overcook, or the lily bulbs will become mushy.)
Add rock sugar to taste (if using) just before serving, stir well, and serve warm.
TCM Notes
Moistens the lungs, relieves coughs & calms the mind (core benefit of lily bulbs): Lily bulbs act on the heart and lung meridians, rich in mucilage and lilioside – they nourish lung yin, calm the mind, and relieve dry cough and restlessness. Tonifies the middle qi & strengthens the spleen and stomach (core benefit of pumpkin): Pumpkin is warm in nature and sweet in taste, acting on the spleen and stomach meridians – it tonifies the middle qi and strengthens the spleen and stomach. Rich in nutrients: Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, polysaccharides, amino acids, and trace minerals. Lily bulbs contain starch, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and various alkaloids. Supports bowel health: The dietary fibre and pectin in pumpkin promote intestinal motility. May support healthy blood pressure and blood sugar: Pectin and colloids in pumpkin and lily bulbs may help regulate sugar metabolism.
Suitable for：Those with weak spleen and stomach, poor digestion, or loss of appetite Those with lung-dry cough or throat discomfort Those suffering from insomnia, restlessness, or neurasthenia Those with high blood pressure or high blood sugar (control sugar intake) Those recovering from illness needing gentle nourishment General population for daily wellness, especially in autumn
Not suitable for：Those with wind-cold coughs or spleen-stomach deficiency-cold with loose stools (Use with caution or avoid!): Lily bulbs are cold in nature – may worsen cold coughs and diarrhoea. Those with diarrhoea (Use with caution!): The pectin and dietary fibre may stimulate intestinal motility and worsen diarrhoea. Those with stomach heat or qi stagnation with fullness (Use with caution): May aggravate bloating and fullness. Diabetics (Control portion size): Pumpkin is relatively high in sugar – omit rock sugar and strictly limit portion size. Those with beriberi, jaundice, or dampness-qi stagnation (Use with caution). Those allergic to pumpkin or lily bulbs (Avoid).
