2025
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Weekly Buddhist Diet: Vegan Yuxiang Shredded “Pork” (Shredded Tofu Sticks)
Weekly Buddhist Diet: Vegan Yuxiang Shredded “Pork” (Shredded Tofu Sticks) The first week of December 2025 Summary: Vegan Yuxiang Shredded “Pork” recreates the classic Sichuan flavor profile using shredded tofu instead of meat. The dish combines sweet, sour, savory, and mildly spicy notes, forming a rich and aromatic sauce that coats every ingredient. Tofu sticks offer a firm, chewy texture and excellent protein content, while wood ear mushrooms, carrots, and green peppers provide fiber, vitamins, and color. The signature Yuxiang flavor comes from fermented chili bean paste balanced with vinegar and sugar, resulting in a fragrant and appetizing sauce without any animal ingredients. This dish is lighter than the traditional…
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Weekly Buddhist Diet: Corn and Mushroom Soup
Weekly Buddhist Diet: Corn and Mushroom Soup Week 4, November 2025 Summary: Corn and Mushroom Soup is a light, aromatic, and nourishing vegetarian soup that combines the natural sweetness of corn with the delicate umami of mushrooms. The result is a smooth, golden-clear broth that’s both refreshing and satisfying. Corn is rich in dietary fiber, plant protein, and B vitamins, which help support digestion, energy balance, and heart health. Mushrooms are a natural source of amino acids and minerals that boost immunity and overall vitality. This plant-based soup contains no animal ingredients — its fresh aroma and clean flavor come entirely from vegetables. Optional additions like diced carrots or tofu…
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Weekly Buddhist Diet: Steamed Vegetable Buns with Mushrooms, Greens, and Vermicelli
Weekly Buddhist Diet: Steamed Vegetable Buns with Mushrooms, Greens, and Vermicelli Week 3 of November 2025 Summary: Steamed Vegetable Buns with Mushrooms, Greens, and Vermicelli are a classic Chinese vegan dish — soft, aromatic, and rich in flavor. The filling combines the umami of mushrooms, the freshness of leafy greens, and the chewy texture of vermicelli noodles, creating a balanced and satisfying taste. Mushrooms provide natural plant-based protein and immune-boosting polysaccharides, greens supply fiber and vitamins that promote detoxification, and vermicelli offers clean, easily digestible carbohydrates. The dough is made with a simple yeast fermentation, resulting in fluffy, tender buns with a delicate aroma once steamed. These buns can be…
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Weekly Buddhist Diet: Red Date and Lotus Root Soup
Weekly Buddhist Diet: Red Date and Lotus Root Soup Week 2 of November 2025 Summary: Red Date and Lotus Root Soup is a soothing and nutritious vegetarian soup that combines the earthy fragrance of lotus root with the natural sweetness of red dates. Lotus root is crisp yet tender, rich in starch, vitamin C, and fiber, known to cool the body, nourish the lungs, and promote healthy digestion. Red dates, on the other hand, are naturally sweet and high in iron and antioxidants, helping to replenish energy, improve circulation, and enhance skin health. When simmered together, the soup turns a golden hue, with a delicate balance of sweetness and aroma.…
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Weekly Buddhist Diet: Dry-Fried String Beans
Weekly Buddhist Diet: Dry-Fried String Beans The first week of November 2025 Summary: Dry-Fried String Beans is a classic Chinese vegetarian dish known for its rich aroma, crisp texture, and savory taste. Fresh green beans are blanched and then dry-fried until slightly wrinkled, bringing out their natural sweetness and fragrance. Stir-fried with dried chili and seasonings, the dish becomes flavorful yet light, with just the right amount of heat. Green beans are rich in plant protein, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, which aid digestion and strengthen the immune system. The dry-frying method minimizes oil absorption while keeping the beans tender and aromatic. Optionally, you can add minced mushrooms or vegetarian…
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Weekly Buddhist Diet: Yam and Goji Berry Soup
Weekly Buddhist Diet: Yam and Goji Berry Soup The fifth week of October 2025 Summary:Yam and Goji Berry Soup is a nourishing and naturally sweet vegetarian soup suitable for all seasons, especially beneficial during dry or fatigued conditions. Chinese yam is rich in plant-based protein, polysaccharides, and enzymes that support digestion, tonify the spleen, and boost energy. Goji berries are loaded with antioxidants, iron, and vitamin C, known to nourish the liver and kidneys while improving vision and vitality. When combined, these ingredients create a mild yet flavorful soup with a golden-clear broth and subtle sweetness. Optional additions like red dates or white fungus can enhance both flavor and nutrition.…
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Weekly Buddhist Diet: Vegetarian Lion’s Head Meatballs
Weekly Buddhist Diet: Vegetarian Lion’s Head Meatballs Fourth week of October 2025 Summary:Vegetarian Lion’s Head Meatballs are a classic Chinese dish reimagined with wholesome plant-based ingredients. Instead of minced meat, this version uses tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and water chestnuts to achieve a soft yet structured texture. The tofu provides protein and a silky base, the mushrooms bring a deep umami aroma, and the water chestnuts add a refreshing crunch. The mixture is formed into large balls, lightly pan-fried until golden, and then simmered in vegetable broth to absorb flavor and achieve a tender, melt-in-the-mouth consistency. The finished dish glows golden in color with a savory, clean broth and a delightful…
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Weekly Buddhist Diet: Electric Steamed Tofu Pudding
Weekly Buddhist Diet: Electric Steamed Tofu Pudding October 2025, Week 3 Summary:Electric Steamed Tofu Pudding is a silky, melt-in-the-mouth traditional vegan dessert made from fresh soy milk and a natural coagulant such as gypsum powder or GDL (glucono delta-lactone). The result is a smooth, tender texture with a delicate bean aroma. Whether enjoyed warm or chilled, it delivers a comforting, balanced taste. Soy milk is rich in plant-based protein and calcium, which helps nourish the body and strengthen vitality. When paired with soy sauce, sesame oil, tahini, pickled vegetables, and fresh coriander, the pudding transforms into a savory delight with complex umami layers. The recipe is simple and fail-proof —…
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Weekly Buddhist Diet: Shepherd’s Purse and Tofu Dumplings
Weekly Buddhist Diet: Shepherd’s Purse and Tofu Dumplings Second week of October 2025 Summary:Shepherd’s Purse and Tofu Dumplings are a light, fragrant, and nutritious vegetarian dish that captures the freshness and the delicacy of traditional Chinese dumplings. Shepherd’s purse, a seasonal wild green, is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron, which help detoxify the body and support overall wellness. Combined with tofu, the filling becomes smooth and protein-rich, creating a perfectly balanced, plant-based meal. The dumpling wrappers are thin, encasing a generous, aromatic filling that becomes tender and juicy once boiled. A touch of sesame oil and soy sauce enhances the natural aroma of the ingredients without…
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Weekly Buddhist Diet: Dry Pot Sautéed Potato Slices
Weekly Buddhist Diet: Dry Pot Sautéed Potato Slices The First Week of October 2025 Summary:Dry Pot Sautéed Potato Slices is a flavorful and aromatic vegetarian dish known for its layered texture and vibrant color. Fresh potatoes are thinly sliced, blanched to remove excess starch, and then stir-fried in a dry wok to retain their natural fragrance and slight chewiness. Paired with bell peppers and shiitake mushrooms, the dish offers a perfect balance of softness, crispness, and mild spiciness. Potatoes are rich in dietary fiber and potassium, helping lower cholesterol and support cardiovascular health, while mushrooms and peppers add vitamins, antioxidants, and plant-based protein. Unlike deep-fried potatoes, this dry stir-frying method…
