Cold Tossed Daylily Buds

Main Ingredients

• Dried daylily buds (golden needles) 50g
• Cucumber half
• Carrot half
• Garlic (minced) 3-4 cloves
• Red chili peppers 2 pieces
• Coriander (cilantro) 1-2 stalks
• Toasted white sesame seeds a pinch
• Light soy sauce 20ml
• Black vinegar (or balsamic vinegar) 15ml
• Oyster sauce 5ml
• White sugar 5g
• Sesame oil 10ml
• Chili oil 10ml
• Cooking oil 20ml
• Salt 3g

Steps

1. Soak daylily buds: Place dried daylily buds in a bowl and cover with warm water (about 30-40°C). Soak for 30-45 minutes until fully soft and plump. The water may turn yellow – this is normal as pollen dissolves. Wash and trim: After soaking, rinse 2-3 times under running water. Squeeze out excess water, tear each bud in half lengthwise, and remove the tough stem at the bottom. Vegetables: Julienne the cucumber and carrot. Mince the garlic, slice the chili peppers into rings, and cut the coriander into sections.

   

2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the prepared daylily buds and blanch for 2-3 minutes until fully cooked. Immediately transfer to cold or ice water to stop the cooking process and maintain a crisp texture. Once completely cooled, remove and firmly squeeze out all excess water (this is crucial to prevent the dish from becoming watery).

   

3. Place the squeezed daylily buds, cucumber, and carrot shreds in a large bowl. Pile the minced garlic on top. Heat cooking oil (about 15-20ml) in a small pan until it just begins to smoke. Immediately pour the hot oil with a sizzle over the garlic to release its aroma.

   

4. In a small bowl, combine light soy sauce, black vinegar, oyster sauce (if using), sugar, salt, sesame oil, and chili oil. Mix well. Pour the dressing over the ingredients. Add chili rings, coriander, and toasted white sesame seeds. Toss thoroughly to combine. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

   

TCM Notes

Daylily buds are highly nutritious and regarded as a "treasure on the table". Brain Health: Rich in lecithin, a key component of brain cells, which helps enhance brain function – earning it the name "brain-healthy vegetable". Cardiovascular Health: Helps significantly lower serum cholesterol levels, benefiting those with hypertension. Rich in dietary fiber and pectin that help cleanse blood vessels and the digestive tract. Skin Health: Rich in vitamin C and water, which help with antioxidant and skin-brightening effects. Calming and Heat-Clearing: In TCM, it is known to relieve restlessness, calm the liver, nourish blood, and clear heat and dampness – it also promotes sleep, earning it the names "forget-worry vegetable" and "calming vegetable". Nutrient-Dense: Per 100g of dried daylily buds, it contains 14.1g protein, 463mg calcium, 173mg phosphorus, 16.5mg iron, and rich carotene.

Suitable for：Suitable for the general population. Those needing brain health and memory improvement (children, students, and the elderly). Those with hypertension or hyperlipidemia. Those needing calming effects and sleep improvement. Postpartum women: Helps promote lactation and nourish blood.

Not suitable for：Those allergic to daylily buds: May cause rashes, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold: Daylily buds are cool in nature and may worsen diarrhea and abdominal pain. Those with poor digestive function: High fiber content may exacerbate conditions like gastric ulcers. Those with asthma: May trigger or worsen symptoms. Those with skin itching conditions: May worsen symptoms. Those with gout: Contains moderate purines; avoid overconsumption. Pregnant women: Consume with caution.