A Summer Dish: Stir-fried Lily Bulbs with Celery and Goji Berries

By Yang Li, Xiangyang First People's Hospital, Hubei Province

A few days ago, I dined at a hotel and asked the waiter to recommend a vegetarian dish. The waiter professionally suggested, "Try the stir-fried lily bulbs with celery and goji berries. This dish is highly nutritious and very popular." When served, the dish was visually appealing with vibrant green celery, plump red goji berries, and translucent lily bulbs. Its fresh appearance and delicious taste symbolize family harmony and have been well-received by everyone.

Zhao Zhandong, Chief TCM Physician of Xiangyang First People's Hospital, Hubei Province, explains that celery has functions such as calming the liver, lowering blood pressure, soothing the nerves, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, and preventing cancer. The coarse fibers in celery also aid in bowel movement, detoxification, and beautification, making it an excellent ingredient for therapeutic diets.

Lily bulbs are sweet and slightly cold in nature, attributing to the lung and heart meridians. They can moisten the lungs to relieve cough, clear the heart, and calm the mind. They are primarily used to treat conditions such as lung heat cough, chronic cough with blood, restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, and excessive dreams.

Goji berries, widely used in daily life, are a well-known medicinal and nutritional supplement. They can replenish the kidneys, nourish the liver, improve vision, enrich the blood, calm the mind, generate fluids to quench thirst, and moisten the lungs to relieve cough. Combined, these three medicinal ingredients form a golden combination. Regular consumption of dishes made from these ingredients can clear heat, nourish yin, and moisten dryness, achieving remarkable effects.

This dish is relatively simple to prepare. First, remove the old skin and stems from fresh lily bulbs, separate them, and wash them clean. If using dried lily bulbs, soak them in water until they are rehydrated and then drain them for later use. Remove the old fibers from the celery, wash it, and slice it diagonally. Soak the goji berries in water and drain them for later use.

Blanch the celery in boiling water, then quickly transfer it to ice water, drain it, and set it aside. Heat a wok, add oil, and heat until it reaches 50% heat. Add the celery and stir-fry quickly. Then add the lily bulbs and stir-fry quickly until they become slightly translucent. Finally, add the goji berries and stir-fry together, adding salt, chicken essence, and other seasonings as desired.

This dish is particularly suitable for individuals with weak lungs, menopausal women, and those with neurasthenia. However, it is advised that people with cold-induced coughs, spleen and stomach deficiencies, and loose stools should consume it sparingly.