Congee is a rice porridge of Asian origins. Most Asian countries have some kind of congee variation and all are delicious. I crave congee during the winter months and when I’m sick. It’s so easy to make and so satisfying. Congees can be customized with flavors in the base or in the toppings, but this recipe will keep the base simple so you can top it with anything that sounds delicious. This congee recipe will utilize day-old/leftover rice, but you can always make congee by just adding extra water to your raw rice grains if trying to make congee instead of fluffy rice. For some inspiration, I most recently made congee by adding century eggs to the base and topping with garlicky purple cabbage, pork floss, and furikake.
Ingredients
Rice – I’ve found that you can really use any kind of rice you want to make congee. I’ve experimented with jasmine, short-grain, and even brown rice. The long cook time of congee causes all rice varieties to break down eventually into a thick, starchy broth, so they all work.
Broth – Use any kind of broth you like, or substitute with the equivalent of water and your favorite bouillon. Use vegetable, chicken, beef, or anything else!
Congee Toppings
Congee can be eaten plain, but the fun of it comes with the toppings. Some of my favorites include:
- pork floss
- green onion
- century egg
- soft-boiled egg
- garlic sautéed vegetables
- furikake
- crispy onions
- kimchi
- shrimp
- chinese donuts
- chili oil
Congee
Equipment
- 1 large pot
Ingredients
- 4 cups rice leftover
- 8 cups water
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 chunk ginger thumb-sized
- 2 tbsp bouillon pick your flavor
- salt
Instructions
- In your pot, add rice, water, garlic, ginger, and bouillon on medium heat.
- Bring to a boil and mix and break apart rice.
- When rice is submerged under the water, bring the mixture to a simmer and cover for 20 minutes.
- Uncover, mix, and taste for salt, adding more if necessary.
- If you like a thinner/soupier congee, add water. If you like century eggs, I'd also recommended adding them in at this point too.
- If additional ingredients have been added, simmer for another 10 minutes. Otherwise, enjoy with your favorite toppings!
Top your congee with Shrimp & Snap Pea Stir Fry or Mapo (ish) Tofu.
Have a dessert after like Kitchen Sink Cookies or Peach Galette.