TCM Inspired Spring Recipe: Asparagus & Salmon served with Jade Rice & Nettle Pesto

Cadie harvesting nettles spring 2025.

Spring in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) represents renewal, growth, and the wood element. As nature awakens, our bodies naturally seek balance through foods that support liver function and help energy rise upward and outward. Today's recipe combines seasonal ingredients that work in harmony with spring's rising yang energy while providing deep nourishment.

The TCM Wisdom Behind the Ingredients

In TCM, spring is associated with the liver and gallbladder systems. These organs thrive when we incorporate foods with upward energy that help cleanse stagnation accumulated during winter. Each ingredient in this recipe serves a specific purpose:

Asparagus - With its upward-growing nature, asparagus perfectly embodies spring energy. It’s one of the first, beloved spring plants. TCM considers it cooling and detoxifying, ideal for supporting the liver's work of cleansing and renewal. Its diuretic properties help move stagnant fluids that may have accumulated during winter.

Wild Salmon - Provides essential yin nourishment to balance the rising yang energy of spring, while providing sustained energy through it’s “earth energy” qi, supporting both spleen and stomach organs. Good spleen qi is a requirement for healthy digestive functioning. It’s especially important to suppor the Earth element during seasonal transitions.

Jade Rice - This beautiful bamboo-infused rice isn't just visually appealing – bamboo essence has cooling properties that support the liver. The gentle infusion helps clear heat while providing necessary carbohydrates for energy. Green is the color of the spring-wood-liver energies. Increasing the green foods in the spring helps you to align with the season and harmonize the liver and gallbladder.

Stinging Nettle - A powerful spring tonic herb that cleanses the blood and supports the liver and kidneys. Nettle's mineral-rich profile makes it ideal for replenishing nutrients depleted during winter. In TCM terms, it helps move liver qi and tonify kidney function. In the PNW, and other places, nettles grow prolifically in the wild, usually along trails in the forest that get a good amount of sunlight. I love hunting and picking nettles, always offering something and “asking” permission. It’s best to get them young, but you can also pick them a little older by only picking the very top of the nettle (do not harvest the nettle with the roots and WEAR GLOVES!) (Please ask someone who has done this before to show you proper plant identification and other harvest tips.)

TCM Medicinal Uses of Stinging Nettles*:

• Cleanses the Blood from environmental toxins and toxins in food.

• Eczema, congested lungs, coughs, asthma, shingles, dry skin, dull hair, brittle nails, poor appetite, urinary tract infections, allergy congestion

• Women’s health: hot flashes, night sweats, hemorrhage, postpartum bleeding, heavy menses, irregular menses.

*This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any health program.

Asparagus & Salmon with Jade Rice & Nettle Pesto

Ingredients:

For the Main Dish:

• 4 wild-caught salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)

• 1 bunch fresh asparagus, tough ends removed

• 1 cup jade rice (or substitute with jasmine rice and finely chopped cilantro)

• 2 cups water

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 lemon, thinly sliced

• Salt and white pepper to taste

• Fresh spring herbs (chives, dill, mint) for garnish

For the Nettle Pesto:

• 2 cups fresh young nettle leaves (wear gloves when handling!)

• ½ cup pumpkin seeds

• 3 cloves garlic

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Jade Rice:

   • Rinse the jade rice under cold water until the water runs clear

   • Combine rice with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan

   • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes

   • Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes

2. Make the Nettle Pesto:

   • Blanch nettle leaves in boiling water for 30 seconds to remove the sting

   • Drain and immediately plunge into ice water

   • Squeeze out excess water and roughly chop

   • In a food processor, combine nettles, pumpkin seeds, garlic, salt, and lemon juice

   • With the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until smooth

   • (if you do not have nettles, you can substitute a combo of dried nettles from the store, fresh cilantro, parsley, and kale)

3. Prepare the Salmon and Asparagus:

   • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)

   • Toss asparagus with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and white pepper

   • Place salmon fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet

   • Rub with remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper

   • Top each fillet with lemon slices

   • Arrange asparagus around salmon

   • Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily and asparagus is tender-crisp

4. Serve:

   • Place a bed of jade rice on each plate

   • Top with salmon fillet and arrange asparagus alongside

   • Drizzle with nettle pesto

   • Garnish with fresh herbs

Seasonal Health Benefits

• Supports Liver Function - The bitter and sweet flavors of asparagus and nettle help stimulate bile flow and detoxification

• Balances Rising Energy - The cooling properties of jade rice and asparagus temper the upward rising energy of spring

• Nourishes Blood - Salmon and nettle provide iron and healthy fats to support blood production

• Promotes Gentle Detoxification - The combination of diuretic vegetables and cleansing herbs helps release stagnation without depleting qi

TCM Serving Suggestions

To enhance the therapeutic benefits of this meal according to TCM principles:

• Sip warm chrysanthemum or goji berry tea as a complement to help cool liver heat and nourish the liver

• Chew thoroughly and eat mindfully to support proper digestion

• Take a gentle walk after eating to help circulate qi and blood

Spring is nature's season of renewal and growth - the perfect time to ALIGN your body with foods that support this natural upward and outward energy. This elegant yet simple meal honors the TCM principle of eating with the seasons while delighting the senses.

*This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any health program.Remember to always listen to your body and adjust recipes to suit your individual constitution and needs.