Minor Snow (Xiaoxue)
As the weather turns colder, food should be warm, simple, and comforting.
Script
Hello, and welcome to Minor Snow, or Xiaoxue. In the classic Yueling Qishier Hou Jijie, Lesser Snow is the midpoint term of the tenth lunar month. Falling rain is pressed by the cold and freezes into snow. In daily life, this is a time for warm, simple, comforting food. Sweet potato is often steamed, boiled, or cooked into porridge. Spinach is tender before deep winter and works well in soups or quick stir-fries. Beef brisket also fits the season, especially in slow braises. A homestyle dish for this term is braised beef brisket with shiitake mushrooms. Go easy on overly raw or chilled food and iced drinks. And if you want an easy start, look for the Minor Snow Warm Stew Ingredient Pack.
On the table this season
- Sweet Potatoneutral
Common in this season and traditionally eaten steamed, boiled, or cooked into porridge.
- Spinachcool
Tender before deep winter and suits soups, salads, or quick stir-fries.
- Beef Brisketneutral
Fits the season for slow braises and feels especially satisfying on cold days.
- Shiitake Mushroomneutral
Rich in aroma and adds a homestyle flavor to stews and braised dishes.
- Sugarcanecold
Often seen at this time of year and traditionally eaten peeled and chewed for a fresh, juicy taste.
Cook it
Sweet Potato Millet Porridge
Ingredients: Sweet Potato, Millet, Water
- Peel and wash the sweet potato, then cut it into small chunks.
- Rinse the millet, place it in a pot, and bring it to a boil with water.
- Add the sweet potato pieces and reduce to low heat.
- Cook gently until the millet blooms and the sweet potato turns soft and tender.
Braised Beef Brisket with Shiitake Mushrooms
Ingredients: Beef Brisket, Shiitake Mushrooms, Ginger, Scallion, Cooking Wine, Salt, Water
- Cut the beef brisket into chunks, blanch briefly, then remove and rinse off any foam.
- Wash and cut the shiitake mushrooms, slice the ginger, and cut the scallion into sections.
- Place the beef brisket in a pot with ginger, scallion, cooking wine, and water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat.
- When the brisket begins to soften, add the shiitake mushrooms and continue simmering slowly.
- Season with a little salt before serving.
Go easy on
- Eat less overly raw or chilled food and iced drinks.
- Eat less overly greasy, heavy late-night food.
- Sugarcane is considered cooling, so do not eat too much at one time.
Classical source
小雪，十月中。雨下而為寒氣所薄，故凝而為雪。Yueling Qishier Hou Jijie (Wu Cheng, Yuan dynasty)
Lesser Snow is the midpoint term of the tenth lunar month: falling rain is pressed by the cold and freezes into snow.
Original text on Wikisource · Diet text drafted with AI and pending expert review.