If we picked up a cold or the flu, my parents would always make us congee to help us feel better. Congee ("jook" in Cantonese) is a rice porridge usually made of white rice, cooked in water for at least an hour to achieve a soft, creamy texture. There are so many varieties of congee - some with chicken or fish, and can be a vessel for a variety of delicious toppings.
When I was sick last week, my parents quickly whipped up some plain congee and brought it over for me to eat. Here is literally the most basic congee recipe if you're in a pinch:
~ The Most Basic Congee Recipe Ever ~
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of white rice
- 8 cups of water
- salt to taste
Steps:
1. Pour the water into a pot and turn on the heat to boil.
2. Wash the cup of rice under running water at least three times.
3. Once the water is boiled, add the rice into the pot.
4. Cover the pot until the water is back to a boil
5. Partly open the pot lid, add a pinch of salt, and bring the heat to medium to let the congee simmer for at least 30 mins.
6. After 30 mins, check to see if the rice is soft. If it is to your desired consistency, take a whisk if you have one and whisk the congee around to "fluff" up the rice some more. Simmer for another 10 mins.
7. Taste and serve.
Now that you have your plain congee, you are free to dress it up however you like.
For my sore throat, I mixed in a bit of Comfort blend into the congee.
This blend has three ingredients that are important - ginger that has antibacterial properties and soothes the throat, tangerine peel to relieve your cough and reduce phlegm, and hawthorn berries that are high in antioxidants and reduces inflammation.
What do you think, have you tried congee before?