Nourish Your Liver This Autumn: 10 Delicious Homestyle Dishes for Liver Health

As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, autumn invites us to adjust our diets to support our health. According to traditional wellness practices, this season is particularly important for liver nourishment. These ten classic homestyle dishes are not only delicious but specially chosen to help protect and strengthen your liver during autumn.

1. Garlic Broccoli

While broccoli is highly nutritious, many children dislike it. This garlic broccoli recipe changes everything. Break broccoli into florets, then soak in water with salt and flour for five minutes to remove impurities and insect eggs. Blanch in boiling water with salt and oil to maintain vibrant green color. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, season with chicken essence and oyster sauce, add starch water to thicken, then toss with broccoli. The result is crisp, tender, and irresistible to both adults and children.

2. Spicy Chestnut Chicken

Chestnuts are in season, and this spicy chestnut chicken dish is simple, flavorful, and perfect with rice. Stir-fry fresh chicken until slightly browned, then add ginger, garlic, and dried chilies. Season with salt, chicken essence, light and dark soy sauce. Add peeled chestnuts and beer for aroma, then simmer with water for ten minutes. Finally, add green and red peppers, stir well and serve. The chestnuts become soft and fragrant while the chicken remains tender.

3. Stir-fried Edamame with Pork

Don't just boil edamame - try this simple, rice-complementing version. Blanch edamame for two minutes, then stir-fry with pork until color changes. Add garlic, chili, dark soy sauce for color, then season with salt, chicken essence, light soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Stir-fry for two minutes for a wonderfully simple dish.

4. Blanched Okra

Amid rich festival foods, blanched okra provides a refreshing, nutritious balance. Blanch in water with salt and oil to maintain bright green color. After cooling, remove stems, cut in half, and arrange on plate. Combine garlic and red chili oil with light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar for a dipping sauce that elevates this simple vegetable.

5. Herbal Steamed Ribs with Pumpkin

Instead of braising, try this secret recipe that's better than soup and simpler than red-cooking. Coat ribs with egg and cornstarch, then pan-fry until golden. Create a marinade with soybean paste, salt, chicken essence, light and dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Marinate ribs for 30 minutes, then steam with pumpkin for another 30 minutes. The pumpkin absorbs the sauce beautifully, creating a savory, soft texture.

6. Fish Head Tofu Soup

For milky-white, non-fishy fish head soup, start by soaking fish head pieces in salt, white vinegar, scallion, ginger, and water for 20 minutes to remove fishy odor. Dry thoroughly, then pan-fry in lard until golden. Add boiling water and simmer for 12 minutes, then add tofu and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 more minutes before garnishing with scallions and goji berries.

7. Classic Stir-fried Greens

A ninety-year-old Cantonese chef shared this secret: don't blanch or oil-blanch greens. Instead, season cut greens with salt, chicken essence, and garlic slices. Heat lard in wok, add greens and some water (this prevents moisture loss), then stir-fry vigorously for about ten seconds. Add goji berries and serve for perfectly crisp, vibrant greens.

8. Refreshing Lotus Root Salad

For crisp, non-darkening lotus root salad, peel and thinly slice lotus root, then rinse repeatedly to remove starch. Blanch briefly in water with salt and white vinegar (avoid iron pots to prevent discoloration). Cool immediately, then mix with garlic, ginger, chili,花椒 peppercorns drizzled with hot oil. Add salt, sugar, white vinegar, then toss with scallions and cilantro.

9. Steamed Ribs with Pumpkin

After cleaning ribs with flour (which effectively removes impurities), coat with egg and cornstarch, then pan-fry until golden. Create a sauce with soybean paste, salt, chicken essence, light and dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Marinate ribs for 30 minutes, then steam with pumpkin for 30 minutes. The pumpkin absorbs the delicious sauce while becoming wonderfully soft.

10. Spinache and Glass Noodle Salad

This family favorite combines blanched glass noodles, spinach, and carrot strips. Create a dressing by pouring hot oil over garlic, chili, and sesame seeds, then adding light soy sauce, vinegar, salt, chicken essence, and sugar. Add peanuts if available, mix with the dressing, and toss well for a refreshing, tangy side dish.

These autumn liver-nourishing dishes combine traditional wisdom with delicious flavors, helping your body transition smoothly into the cooler season while enjoying meals that the whole family will love. Each recipe brings both health benefits and culinary pleasure to your autumn table.