Congee Food

CHICKEN CONGEE

Steps:

• Rinse and drain the rice.
• Put the rice in a pot with the chicken stock and bring to boil. Give the rice a good stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking, then lower the heat and half-cover the pan. Simmer gently for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes, until the grains have burst open and you have a thick congee. Keep an eye on the pot to make sure the rice doesn't stick to the bottom. Toward the end of cooking, when the stock has become integrated with the rice and is the consistency of oatmeal, season lightly with salt to taste.
• Serve the congee with a sprinkling of soy sauce, spring onion and ginger and a few drops of sesame oil to taste.

CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES CONGEE (CHOK)

Steps:

• Cut the chicken thighs up into two inch lengths.
• Marinate the chicken with the oyster sauce, Chinese wine/sherry, soy sauce, pepper, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and sesame oil.
• Leave the chicken to marinate in the fridge for about 30 min or longer.
• (the longer it is left to marinate, the tastier the chicken will be.) Grab a large pot, pour the rice, water, ginger, garlic and dried scallops inches.
• Let this boil on a low heat for about 1 hour.
• (this is to bring out the flavor or the spices and scallops) Do check on the congee frequently and give it a stir, so that the rice doesn't stick and burn at the bottom of the pot.
• NOTE: The congee is boiled at low heat, so that the congee will be smooth.
• NOTE: The more frequently you stir the congee, the faster the rice grains will break down, making the porridge smoother and tastier.
• Pour in the carrots, and allow the congee to continue simmering.
• Take the chicken out of the fridge, and pour it into the congee.
• (a fair bit of water would have disappeared by now; thus adding the chicken won't cause it to overflow) Add 2 cups boiling hot water into the pot, and stir the congee.
• Allow this to cook for about 15 minutes.
• Add the broccoli into the pot.
• Allow the congee to cook until you are happy with the thickness of the congee.
• Bring the congee to a boil, while continuously stirring it.
• Once it boils, turn the heat off, and drop the two eggs into the pot of congee.
• Leave it for about 30 seconds, and give it a good stir to break up the egg totally and it mixes very well into the congee.
• Ladle into bowls, and garnish.
• Enjoy a bowl of smooth yummy congee.

EASY RICE CONGEE

Steps:

• Rice cooker: Dump all ingredients (except garnishes) into rice cooker, turn it on and stir occasionally, until congee is smooth and no longer grainy.
• Stovetop: Combine all ingredients (except garnishes) in a medium saucepan, bring to boil over medium heat then turn down heat and let simmer until water has been absorbed.
• Add more water/broth if necessary (for both methods)
• Sprinkle with black/white pepper, a few drops of sesame oil and chopped scallions just before serving.

CHINESE CHICKEN CONGEE

Steps:

• Wash the rice and then soak with clean water for around 30 minutes.
• Place chicken in a pot with cold water and add 1 green onion and several slices of ginger. Bring to boil.
• After 3-4 minutes, add soaked rice, bring to boil again.
• Transfer the chicken thighs out when you can easily insert a chopstick. Soak in clean water to cool down and then shred by hand or you can mince them.
• Simmer the congee for 1 hour over slowest fire. Serve with your favorite side ingredients.

HOW TO MAKE CONGEE (PLAIN CONGEE, 白粥)

Steps:

• Add the rice to a large bowl and run it with tap water to cover the rice. Use your fingers to gently rinse the rice in a circular motion a few times, then drain off the water. Repeat 1 to 2 times.

SEAFOOD CONGEE

Steps:

• Rinse dried scallop. Place in a small bowl and tap water to cover. Let rehydrate for 2 to 3 hours.
• Rinse rice a few times and transfer to a large pot. Add 2 liters (8 cups) water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir a few times. Turn to medium low or medium heat. Cover the pot halfway to keep the water boiling without spilling. Cook for 30 minutes. Stir the congee a few times during cooking.
• Cut the shrimp down the center of the back into two thin pieces.
• Combine shrimp, Shaoxing wine, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
• Drain dried scallop. Tear into smaller pieces by hand. Set aside.
• When the congee has been cooking for 30 minutes and starts to thicken, add dried scallop. Keep cooking with the pot half covered, until the congee achieves the desired thickness, 15 to 20 minutes. Be careful, the congee will get quite thick and sticky towards the end. Stand close to the pot and stir frequently. It will easily spill if covered too much or if the heat is too high. The rice will stick to the bottom if you don't stir enough.
• When the congee is cooked, add shrimp and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon ginger. Stir a few times. Stop heat immediately. Add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt or salt to taste. Stir well. Drizzle with sesame oil and scatter with green onion.
• Serve warm.

CONGEE WITH SOY EGGS

Steps:

• First make the soy eggs. Bring a small pan of water to the boil and add the eggs. Boil for 6 mins, then lift the eggs out with a slotted spoon and place in cold water and leave to cool. When cool enough to handle, peel the eggs.
• In a small bowl mix the soy with the sugar, stirring well so that the sugar dissolves. Pour in 75ml water then add the eggs and leave in the soy mixture for at least 2 hours. You may need to put a little weight, or small plate on top of the eggs to keep them submerged, as they'll be bobbing around.
• Next, make the congee. Place the rice in a small bowl and wash in running cold water until the water turns clear and doesn't look milky. Add the chicken stock and the rice to a medium saucepan, bring to the boil then cook for 25 mins at a gentle simmer. If necessary, top up with a little water. You want it to be soupy, like a wet risotto.
• When the rice is cooked, season to taste and stir in the shredded chicken and chopped ginger. Add the butter to the pan, and stir until it is fully melted and incorporated.
• Remove the eggs from the soy mixture and cut in half. Divide the congee between 2 bowls. Scatter over the chopped spring onions and crushed peanuts. Top with the soy egg halves and a sprig of coriander. Drizzle the sriracha over and finish with a spoonful of the soy egg marinade.

CONGEE

Steps:

• Combine chicken stock, water, rice, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, fish sauce, ginger, salt, and sesame oil in a large stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until congee has thickened to the consistency of a light porridge, about 3 hours.
• Stir fish into congee and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Serve congee in bowls topped with pickled vegetables, roast pork, scallions, and peanuts. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon vinegar and soy sauce over toppings.

CONGEE WITH CHINESE CRULLERS & SAUTEED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sweat the shallot and ginger, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the rice and broth. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and cover. Cook until the rice has broken down and the mixture is thick and porridge-like, about 1 hour. Stir with a rubber spatula occasionally so the bottom doesn't stick. Remove the ginger and season to taste.
• Divide the congee into bowls. Top with a pile of Sauteed Greens (recipe follows), a drizzle of toasted sesame oil, a drizzle of sriracha and a couple turns of black pepper. Serve with Crullers (recipe follows) on the side.
• Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl. Add the buttermilk, coconut oil and egg and knead with the dough hook for 7 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Wrap with plastic and allow to rest in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator 1 hour before ready to use and allow to come to room temperature.
• Heat the neutral oil in a heavy bottomed pot to 375 degrees F.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 20-by-6-inch rectangle that is about 1/4-inch thick. Cut into 12 vertical strips just over an inch wide, then cut each strip in half horizontally. Layer one half on top of the other and using a chopstick, press down in the center to adhere. Cover with plastic while you shape the others.
• When the oil is up to temperature, take one piece of dough and, holding both ends, stretch gently to triple the length (it should stretch very easily). Drop in the oil and fry for 30 seconds to 1 minute per side, or until lightly golden and puffy, gently turning with a spider. Remove to a rack and repeat in batches of 2 or 3, allowing oil to come back to temperature between each batch.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the dried chili peppers and garlic and toss around, cooking until fragrant and lightly toasty, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the mustard greens, a big pinch of salt and a couple turns of black pepper and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until wilted, tender, and bright green. Add the sesame oil, rice vinegar and sesame seeds. Toss to combine.

CONGEE (CHINESE RICE PORRIDGE) RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Rinse and wash the rice and soak it in water for 30 minutes; then drain the water.
• In a large pot or Dutch oven , bring the rice and 8 cups of water or stock to a boil.
• When the rice is boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low. Place the lid on the pot, tilting it to allow some of the steam to escape (the same as you would do when cooking white rice ).
• Cook on medium-low to low heat, stirring occasionally,​ until the rice has the thick, creamy texture of porridge. This can take about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.
• Add the salt, taste, and add any seasonings or toppings as desired, such as crushed peanuts.
• Rinse and wash the rice and soak the rice in the water for 30 minutes; then drain the water.
• Add 1 teaspoon of oil to the rice and mix evenly. Adding oil can help the rice cook quicker and also make the congee smoother and softer in texture.
• In a large pot or Dutch oven, boil the water and add the rice.
• Turn the heat down to medium and keep stirring the rice for five minutes.
• Turn the heat to medium-low, put on the lid, and simmer for 45 minutes. You can tilt the lid to allow the steam to escape. Season to taste and add your choice of toppings.
• Rinse and wash the rice and soak the rice in water for 30 minutes, then drain the water.
• Put the rice into a freezer bag and freeze for 2 to 3 hours. This can result in a smoother textured congee.
• Boil 1 quart of water in a large pot or Dutch oven and then add the frozen rice into the boiling water.
• Bring it to a boil again, lower the heat to medium, and cook for 15 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and cover with the lid; let sit for 15 minutes before seasoning and adding your choice of toppings.