Stir-Fried Fresh Lily Bulb, Goji Berries and Snow Peas

Why people make this dish

Bro Niu had leftover fresh lily bulb and snow peas after the holiday, so he tossed them with a spoonful of goji berries into a quick, fresh plate. It is crisp and pretty, and in food-therapy terms it is traditionally associated with soothing the liver, brightening the eyes, calming the mind, and supporting a clear complexion.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits people with a warmer, more “heaty” constitution; the dish is traditionally seen as gently clearing and balancing.
• No specific caution noted; season to taste.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Goji berries (gou qi zi): Traditionally associated with nourishing the liver and brightening the eyes.
• Snow peas (he dou): Higher in carotene and vitamins A, B2, C than many beans; traditionally seen as helping settle and harmonize the middle, and supporting the liver.
• Fresh lily bulb (bai he): Traditionally valued for calming the mind and settling the spirit.

Ingredients (2–3 servings)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Fresh lily bulb	1–2 bulbs	Separate into petals, wash
Goji berries	1 tbsp	Soak and rinse
Snow peas	~150 g	Pull off the strings, wash
Seasoning	to taste
Stock	a little

Method

1. Separate the fresh lily bulb into petals and wash. Soak and rinse the goji berries. String the snow peas and wash.
2. Heat oil. Add the snow peas, lily bulb and goji berries in that order and stir-fry until fragrant.
3. Add seasoning and a little stock, toss for a moment, and plate up.

Bro Niu’s tips

This little dish is traditionally seen as clearing heat and stagnant qi, with a soothing-liver, calming effect — a nice balancing plate for a warmer constitution.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (erica): Of these three ingredients, which ones are the liver-supporting ones? Bro Niu: Goji berries and snow peas are both good for the liver — goji nourishes the liver and brightens the eyes; snow peas (and pea sprouts) are high in carotene and vitamins A, B2, C and help harmonize the middle. Lily bulb, in modern study, is associated with calming the mind and supporting immunity.

• Q (juliana): Are snow peas (flat) and sugar-snap peas (plump) different? Bro Niu: Both belong to the pea family — one has flat pods, the other rounder pods. In food-therapy terms their value is about the same.

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Published January 27, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.