Major Snow (Daxue)
During Major Snow, food is best kept warm, gentle, and light, with an emphasis on simple home-cooked hot meals.
Script
Hello, and welcome to Major Snow, or Daxue. The classic meaning is simple. Greater Snow opens the eleventh lunar month. “Da” means abundant. By now, the snow falls heavily. In winter, this term is a reminder to keep food warm, gentle, and light. A seasonal bowl of Chinese cabbage brings a mild sweetness. Tofu is soft and tender in simple soups. Silver carp suits braising or simmering for a home-style winter meal. A good dish for the season is Braised Chinese Cabbage with Tofu, served hot and light. Go easy on overly raw or chilled foods, and also on heavy, overly spicy, or greasy cooking. If you use ginkgo nuts, keep them to a small amount. For the kitchen table, look to the Major Snow Warm Stew Ingredient Pack.
On the table this season
- Chinese cabbage (baicai)cool
In season during winter, with a mild natural sweetness that suits hot stews.
- Tofu (doufu)cool
Soft and tender, and traditionally eaten in simple soups with winter vegetables.
- Silver carp (lianyu)warm
Fits the season for braising and simmering, with a savory taste that suits winter meals.
- Ginkgo nuts (baiguo)neutral
A traditional winter ingredient, often used in small amounts in savory dishes.
- Carrot (huluobo)neutral
Its warm color fits the season, and it becomes sweet and tender when simmered.
Cook it
Braised Chinese Cabbage with Tofu (Baicai Dun Doufu)
Ingredients: Chinese cabbage (baicai), Tofu (doufu), Scallion, Ginger, Cooking oil, Salt, Water
- Wash the Chinese cabbage and cut it into sections, cut the tofu into cubes, and prepare the scallion and ginger.
- Heat a little oil in a pot, add the scallion and ginger until fragrant, then add the Chinese cabbage and stir evenly.
- Add water and the tofu, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer gently.
- Cook until the cabbage is soft and the broth is clear and light, then season with salt and serve.
Braised Silver Carp with Carrot (Huluobo Shao Lianyu)
Ingredients: Silver carp (lianyu), Carrot (huluobo), Scallion, Ginger, Cooking wine, Cooking oil, Salt, Soy sauce, Water
- Clean the silver carp and cut it into pieces, cut the carrot into chunks, and prepare the scallion and ginger.
- Heat oil in a pan, lightly sear the fish pieces until the surface firms up, then add the scallion, ginger, and cooking wine.
- Add the carrot, soy sauce, and water until the ingredients are covered, then bring to a boil.
- Reduce to medium-low heat and braise until the fish is flavorful and the carrot is tender, then add salt and reduce the sauce slightly before serving.
Go easy on
- Eat fewer overly raw or chilled foods; in winter, hot meals suit the season better.
- Use less heavy, overly spicy, or greasy cooking, so the natural fresh taste is not overwhelmed.
- Use ginkgo nuts only in small amounts as a garnish or accent, and remove the shell and inner core before cooking.
Classical source
大雪，十一月節。大者，盛也。至此而雪盛矣。Yueling Qishier Hou Jijie (Wu Cheng, Yuan dynasty)
Greater Snow opens the eleventh lunar month. "Da" means abundant: by now the snow falls heavily.
Original text on Wikisource · Diet text drafted with AI and pending expert review.