Description
This traditional Chinese Congee recipe is a comforting and versatile rice porridge made by slow-cooking glutinous rice in a flavorful broth. Perfect for a nourishing breakfast or light meal, it features a creamy texture and is garnished with fresh green onions, julienned ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce to enhance its delicate flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup glutinous rice
- 6 cups water
- 6 cups low-sodium broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
- Salt, to taste
Garnishes
- 6 green onions, thinly sliced
- Fresh ginger, julienned
- Sesame oil, to garnish
- Soy sauce, to garnish
Instructions
- Soak the rice: Transfer the glutinous rice to a large bowl and fill with cold water. Let it soak for 1 hour to soften the grains, then drain and rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch.
- Start cooking the congee: Place the soaked rice in a large pot and add 12 cups of cooking liquid, a combination of water and your choice of low-sodium chicken, beef, or vegetable broth. Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer gently: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the congee to simmer gently. Stir every 10 to 20 minutes to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Continue simmering for approximately 60 to 90 minutes until the rice breaks down and the porridge achieves a creamy consistency.
- Adjust consistency and seasoning: Uncover the pot and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until you reach your preferred thickness. Season with salt to taste. If the congee is too thick, add a bit more broth or water to thin it out.
- Serve with garnishes: Ladle the hot congee into bowls and garnish generously with thinly sliced green onions, julienned fresh ginger, a drizzle of sesame oil, and soy sauce according to your preference to add depth of flavor.
Notes
- Soaking the rice helps achieve a creamier texture in the congee as it breaks down more effectively during cooking.
- You can customize the cooking liquid by mixing water and different types of broth for a richer flavor.
- Keep stirring periodically to prevent the rice from sticking and scorching at the bottom of the pot.
- Adjust garnishes according to taste and dietary preferences; for example, omit soy sauce for a lower-sodium version.
- Glutinous rice is preferred for its sticky and creamy consistency but can be substituted with short-grain rice if necessary.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: Congee, Chinese Rice Porridge, Glutinous Rice, Breakfast Porridge, Comfort Food, Rice Soup
