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Pig Liver & Mung Bean Congee

(猪肝绿豆粥 / Zhūgān Lǜdòu Zhōu)

 

Spring Medicinal Congee for Liver Nourishment

(春季养肝用药粥)**

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is said that “spring is the season to nourish the liver” (春宜养肝).
During spring, diet is especially important for liver health. It is recommended to eat a balanced diet rich in protein and vitamins, and medicinal congee (yao zhou) can be used to further support liver nourishment.

 

Pig Liver & Mung Bean Congee

(猪肝绿豆粥)**

 

Ingredients

• 80 g fresh pig liver (新鲜猪肝 / Fresh Pig Liver)
• 50 g mung beans (绿豆 / Mung Beans)
• 80 g japonica rice (粳米 / Japonica Rice)
• Salt and MSG to taste (食盐、味精)

 

Preparation

1. Rinse the mung beans and rice, then cook them together.
2. Once boiling, reduce to low heat and simmer until they are about 80% cooked.
3. Add sliced pig liver and cook until fully done.
4. Season with salt and MSG.

 

Effects

This congee nourishes the liver and blood, clears heat, improves vision, and moisturizes the skin.
It is suitable for pale complexion, declining eyesight, blurred vision, and is beneficial for chronic nephritis and edema.

 

Pig Liver (猪肝)

Pig liver, the liver of a pig, is a commonly consumed ingredient rich in nutrients.
Widely used in both Chinese and Western cuisines, it is valued for its high nutritional content.

 

Nutritional Value & Benefits

● Iron

Extremely rich in iron, pig liver is a classic blood-tonifying food that helps improve anemia.

 

● Vitamin A

High in vitamin A, pig liver:

• Protects eyesight
• Prevents dryness and fatigue of the eyes
• Supports healthy skin

 

● Vitamin B2

Rich in riboflavin (vitamin B2), it:

• Supports metabolic functions
• Enhances detoxification capacity

 

● TCM Perspective

In TCM, pig liver tastes sweet and slightly bitter (甘苦), is warm in nature (性温),
and enters the liver meridian (肝经).
It is believed to:

• Nourish the blood
• Tonify the liver
• Support detoxification

 

Precautions When Consuming Pig Liver

● Proper Intake

Pig liver is extremely high in cholesterol
(about 288 mg per 100g — 3.5 times that of lean meat).
Excessive consumption can increase the risk of hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease.

 

Recommended:
• 1–2 times per week
• About 50 g per serving

 

● Cook Thoroughly

The liver is the main detoxifying organ in animals and may contain residual toxins, bacteria, or parasites.
Always cook completely before eating.

 

● Choosing Fresh Liver

Choose liver that:

• Has a deep reddish-purple color
• Is shiny and firm
• Has no blisters and is resilient

 

● Thorough Cleaning

Remove residual blood and bile, rinse well, and soak to remove odors.

 

● Special Warning for Pregnant Women

Excessive vitamin A intake can cause fetal abnormalities.
Pregnant women should consume pig liver only in moderate amounts.

 

Cooking Methods for Pig Liver

Pig liver can be used in various dishes:

 

● Stir-fried Pig Liver (爆炒猪肝)

Quick and flavorful home-style dish.

 

● Cold Dishes / Salads

Boiled and seasoned; light and refreshing.

 

● Soups & Congee

Used in liver soup or congee (e.g., 及第粥), excellent for restoring strength.

 

● Braised Pig Liver (卤猪肝)

Popular as a side dish or appetizer.

 

Mung Beans (绿豆 / Mung Bean)

Mung beans are the seeds of a common legume.
Highly nutritious and widely used in both TCM and daily cooking.

 

Key Properties & Benefits

● Rich in Nutrients

Contains:

• Protein
• Dietary fiber
• B vitamins
• Minerals (potassium, zinc)
  Low in fat and ideal for healthy diets.

 

● Clears Heat & Detoxifies (清热解毒)

In TCM, mung beans are cool in nature (性寒) and sweet in flavor (味甘).
They help:

• Relieve heat-induced thirst
• Reduce dark yellow urine
• Clear summer heat and irritability

 

● Supports Metabolism

Vitamin B1 helps maintain energy metabolism.

 

● Easy to Digest

More digestible than many other legumes; suitable for children and the elderly.

 

Culinary Uses of Mung Beans

● Mung Bean Soup / Cooling Drinks

Classic summer remedy for clearing heat.
Can be boiled alone or with kelp, lily bulbs, honeysuckle, etc.

 

● Porridge / Rice

Cooked with rice to make congee or mung bean rice.

 

● Desserts

Used in:

• Mung bean cakes
• Mung bean ice treats
• Green jelly-style desserts

 

● Sprouts

Mung bean sprouts are a common vegetable.

 

● Mung Bean Powder

Used for cooking or skincare (e.g., masks).

 

Precautions

● Proper Intake

For healthy adults, 30–50 g of dried mung beans per day is appropriate.
Excessive intake may cause bloating or indigestion.

 

● Cook Thoroughly

Undercooked mung beans can cause:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

 

● Body Constitution

Because mung beans are cooling, people who:

• Have weak digestion
• Have cold stomach/spleen
• Frequent diarrhea
  should limit intake.

 

● Elderly & Children

Start with small amounts due to weaker digestive function.

 

Summary

Mung beans are nutritious and excellent for clearing heat, detoxifying, and relieving thirst—
especially ideal in summer.

Pig liver is rich in iron, vitamins A and B2, and is a powerful blood-tonifying food when consumed in moderation and fully cooked.

Together in congee, pig liver and mung beans form a spring liver-nourishing medicinal dish that tonifies blood, supports liver function, clears heat, and improves vision.