Super Simple Congee Food

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.

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.

SUPER-SIMPLE OVERNIGHT PORRIDGE

Steps:

• In a 4-quart saucepan, combine the rice, chicken stock, and water. Cover and let sit overnight at cool room temperature (around or below 60°F) or in the refrigerator.
• The next morning, add the ginger and the white parts of the green onions to the pot. Partially cover (a small gap is perfect to minimize evaporation and avoid a boil over) and bring to vigorous simmer over high heat. Lower the heat and gently simmer, partially covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as needed. When done, most of the liquid will have been absorbed (you'll see little separation between the rice and liquid). Discard the ginger and green onions. Stir the pot, cover tightly, turn off the heat, and let rest for 10 minutes to finish thickening. The desired thickness of the porridge can vary according to taste; it can be rustic and thick, or elegant and thin, or somewhere in between. If needed, add a splash of water to thin or cook a little longer to thicken. Taste and season with the salt.
• When ready to serve, reheat the porridge to a simmer, then ladle into individual bowls. Garnish with sliced green onions and pepper.
• Embellishments:
• Lean, light-tasting cháo responds well to fatty, salty, spicy, herbal enhancements. In addition to (or instead of) garnishing your porridge with green onion and pepper, consider the following, and feel free to mix and match.
• Toppings:
• Crisp chopped bacon, a fried or soft-boiled egg, and maybe chopped kimchi for punch.
• Lemongrass Tempeh Crumbles or Crispy Caramelized Pork Crumbles.
• Chopped Sriracha Tofu, fried onions or shallots, and coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, mint, or basil.
• Add-ins:
• Crack a raw egg into the bowl before ladling in the hot soup. Top with crumbled rice crackers and perhaps ribbons of Korean toasted seaweed snacks (one pack of gim is enough for a batch). Stir well before eating.
• Drop 8 ounces of raw peeled shrimp into the soup as it heats. When the shrimp are pink and cooked through, ladle out the soup. Add slivered ginger and maybe some gim.
• Stir in raw or seared mushroom. Add a handful of shredded cooked chicken or some shrimp, or both.

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 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.

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.