Warming Foods for Cold Winter -- Kuzu (again)

Kuzu or kudzu, is another yang food. (the root is used)

and kuzu root has also been taken as medicine for hundreds of years in Asia, especially for digestive problems, as well as strengthen your blood and body.
*see the pic? a house is covered by kuzu vines!! it shows how "strong" kuzu is.kuzu can root everwhere so fast and cover up anything!

It is used as a starch, to thicken sauce or stew like gravy.
While corn starch or potato starch are more suitable for summer meals since they are more “cooling”, kuzu starch is perfect for winter meal for its “warming” effect.

Stir fry other vegetables and tempeh, add vegetable stock or dashi, and simmer.
Then add small amount of water-dissolved kuzu root to make a hearty meal : )

Feeling like catching a cold?
Boil a tea cup of water or kukicha tea, add one umeboshi plum, a few drops of soy sauce and water-dissolved kuzu root, (sliced ginger optional)and drink while warm.
this is especially warming and you can feel that your body is getting "heat" from inside!

Craving for dessert?
Cook apples/pears/cranberry with water or apple juice/cider with pinch of sea salt.
Add water-dissolved kuzu.
Fruits are yin(cooling, loosening), and the fruit sugar(also yin) loosens the digestive system, but kuzu and sea salt give a balance to it.---and enhances flavors : )

for water-dissolved kuzu, the ratio is kuzu 1 : water 2 to 3
usually, very small amount, 1 to 2 tbs is enough