Recipe: Mushroom Millet “Risotto”

Looking for a comforting, plant-based meal that also supports your hormone health? Say hello to Mushroom Millet “Risotto.” This delicious dish is inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles, bringing together the benefits of millet, mushrooms, and ginger to promote stable energy and support digestion. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing it with friends, this risotto is a warm and nourishing addition to your wellness journey.

TCM Benefits: Foods for Digestion Health 

Millet, the star ingredient, is known in TCM to tonify Qi and Yin, helping you maintain stable energy levels throughout the day. It also supports the Spleen to improve digestion and reduce dampness, which is essential for gut health and hormonal balance. The addition of ginger further enhances these digestive benefits, stimulating warmth and movement within the body.
Mushrooms support immunity and ground your energy. Combined with bone broth and a milk of your choice, this risotto is creamy, satisfying, and nourishing from the inside out. 

Recipe:

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 cups fresh assorted mushrooms, chopped
• ⅔ cup foxtail millet
• 3 cups bone broth
• 3 cups soy milk (or milk of choice)
• ½ cup nutritional yeast
• Coconut aminos or soy sauce, to taste
• 1 tsp white pepper, or to taste
• 1 bunch cilantro
• Microgreens, optional
• 16 squeezes of Elix’s Ginger Aide or Zoey's Digestif

Method:

1. In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the ginger and mushrooms until fragrant.
2. Add millet, bone broth, soy milk, and nutritional yeast. Stir until well combined and bring to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
3. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes until the millet is soft and creamy. Add more liquid if needed during cooking.
4. Once the risotto reaches your desired consistency, season with coconut aminos, white pepper, and cilantro.
5. Mix in your Elix tincture, top with microgreens, and enjoy warm!

This Mushroom Millet “Risotto” isn’t just a delicious meal—it’s a step toward better digestion, balanced energy, and overall hormone health. The combination of TCM ingredients works in harmony to nourish your body and support your wellness goals.

This article was reviewed by Zoey Gong.

Zoey Gong is a Traditional Chinese Medicine nutritionist, food therapist, and chef. Her recipes have been featured in various publications, including the cover of Food & Wine magazine in the February 2023 issue. She’s the author of The Five Elements Cookbook: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine with Recipes for Everyday Healing, where she guides readers in the basics of TCM through encyclopedic entries on common ingredients and 50 nourishing recipes.