Woody
Recipes

Five Spice Cauliflower with Kimchi & Black Vinegar Accented Yogurt

TCM Element: Metal

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

    ½ head cauliflower 

    1 teaspoon five spice

    1-2 teaspoons black vinegar 

    ½ cup plain yogurt 

    ⅛ cup kimchi 

    Salt & pepper to taste

Serving size

  • Serves 4-6

Helps Regulate the Lungs and Large Intestine

I love ingredients and flavors that have depth. In Chinese culture, black vinegar is considered a health tonic, made from unpolished rice and fermented for up to three years. This vinegar is dark and has a unique, intense flavor.  Cauliflower is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich with impressive amounts of vitamin C, K and beta carotene, while from an Eastern perspective is white and nourishes the Blood.  Cabbage, vinegar and yogurt all help to promote Qi.   

Procedures:

1. Break down the cauliflower into flowerettes, leaving just a bit of stem, toss with oil, season with salt and five spice and roast at 450 degrees for 10-15 min or so until edges darken.

2. In food processor bring the yogurt, black vinegar and kimchi together add kimchi juice as needed to desired consistency.  

3. Use yogurt as a dip for the cauliflower

Ingredients Chinese Medicine Benefits
Olive Oil Neutral
Cauliflower Relieves cough and white color corresponds with the lungs
Five Spice Promotes qi and strengthens blood circulation
Black Vinegar Warming & detoxifying
Yogurt Tonifies qi and blood
Kimichi Pungent and promotes circulation

Travis Metzger is a Minneapolis-based chef and co-founder of DAO Labs. An avid health enthusiast, he’s juiced and eaten his way to health, combining his passion for fresh ingredients with flavors that make the palate sing. He combines his training at the New England Culinary Institute with his frequent travels to and throughout Asia to create recipes for The Way and DAO Labs that bridge the culinary aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine to the western diet and ingredient options. Travis can be reached at [email protected]

Five Spice Cauliflower with Kimchi & Black Vinegar Accented Yogurt