Soothing Vegetarian Congee Recipe - Fearless Fresh (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to silky congee? ›

The mark of a good bowl of Cantonese-style congee is the silky-smooth texture of the porridge. Beancurd skin is the secret ingredient to ensuring the texture of each bowl of congee comes out right. Adding the beancurd skin helps to make the rice grains mushy, and thus easier to cook down to a smooth consistency.

Congee is an anti-inflammatory, gut healing powerhouse made of rice and bone broth. It is also a rich source of collagen, a key player in promoting gut health, skin elasticity, and easing joint pain and inflammation.

The benefits of congee and looser porridge result from long, slow cooking with lots of water, transforming food into a meal that hydrates, supports digestion & soothes the stomach. Congee improves digestion by soothing and balancing the entire digestive tract and every organ of digestion.

So, congee is a type of rice porridge, but not all rice porridge is congee-like the way all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares. Jook gets a step more specific: It's the English translation of the Cantonese name for rice porridge.

To give additional flavor to the soup, incorporate scallions, sh*take mushrooms, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and pepper. Adding any vegetables you might have in the fridge boosts the nutritional value significantly, since congee itself is not vitamin-packed.

It promotes recovery as it is light on the stomach and harmonises the imbalance of a chaotic internal environment. If you are suffering an uphill battle trying to recover from chemotherapy, any major illness, stomach and digestive disorder or post surgery—don't waste your time and supercharge your recovery.

Congee is often served with fresh scallions, cilantro, soy sauce, or fish sauce. You might also see people add fried shallots or chili oil, like I've done in the photos. In Chinese restaurants, you'll almost always see congee served with fried dough sticks that are crunchy on the outside and spongy on the inside.

Congee is considered a soothing meal because it is a warm and comforting dish that is easy to digest. It is made with rice that has been cooked until it has broken down into a porridge-like consistency, and is usually served with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, meat, and herbs.

Another fascinating thing about Congee is that it is effective for both Constipation and Diarrhea. Congee is easy to digest and provides hydration to the body which is essential to cure diarrhea. It also moistens the cells of the intestinal area so that it helps to reduce your constipation issues.

Is it okay to eat congee every day? ›

Rich in flavour and filled with the goodness of nutrients, rice congee is the perfect dish to have daily for anyone, especially children who are picky eaters. Introduce your fussy baby to a warm bowl of rice congee topped with the things they love. The delicious dish is also beneficial for your overall well-being.

For a healthier version, I frequently recommend using brown rice, or even barley or millet. Simmer on very low heat for 1-2 hours or until rice is quite broken down.

Congees. Congees are a popular year-round breakfast option. However, they can cause a quick rise in your blood glucose levels (BGL) because they are high in Glycaemic Index (GI) as they are made with white rice. Swap or mix your white rice with grains such as pearl barley, red beans, mung beans and rolled oats.

Congee can be a healthy option for weight loss when prepared with nutrient-dense ingredients and portion control. As a low-calorie, high-fiber food, congee helps promote feelings of fullness and reduces overeating. Opt for lean proteins like chicken or tofu, and add vegetables for added nutrients.

“Congees generally contain fewer calories, but some animal ingredients in congees are high in cholesterol level.

Becoming instantly thick and creamy, to add a little extra luxury, pour in a dash of oat milk on top. Oat milk is well known for its creamy texture, therefore when added to our oats and gently stirred in, it helps to increase the thickness, without distracting from the delicious flavour found in each bowl.

An expert Chinese chef's tip for making the smoothest congee

Whisking the congee is our secret for making restaurant-quality congee that's full-bodied and almost-creamy. This technique will help break down more of the rice grains and let those starches out to thicken the congee.

The type of oats you choose is really down to personal preference. Jumbo or rolled oats will result in a really chunky texture, but those labelled as 'porridge oats' will generally contain medium-ground oatmeal, which results in a fine, smooth texture.

Walnuts, pear slices and ginger

If you like a crunchy texture the pear and walnuts will add this, while sprinkling on a little ground ginger provides some spicy warmth.