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Basic Chinese Congee Recipe

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3.8 from 7 reviews

This comforting basic Chinese congee recipe offers a creamy, warm rice porridge made by simmering rice in savory chicken or vegetable stock and flavored with ginger. Perfect for breakfast or a soothing meal, it can be customized with your favorite toppings like scallions, sesame oil, or soy sauce to enhance taste and texture.

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • 7 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 cup raw long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, plus more for seasoning
  • 1-inch knob of ginger, peeled and sliced thin

Garnishes (Optional)

  • Sliced scallions, for garnish
  • Toasted sesame oil, for serving
  • Soy sauce, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Gather the chicken or vegetable stock, rinsed rice, salt, and ginger. Make sure the ginger is peeled and thinly sliced to impart subtle flavor.
  2. Combine and Boil: In a large pot, combine the stock, rice, salt, and sliced ginger. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
  3. Simmer and Stir: Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Let the congee simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from clumping or sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  4. Check Consistency and Season: After simmering, the porridge should be thick and creamy. Taste and add additional salt as needed to enhance flavor.
  5. Serve: Ladle the hot congee into bowls and garnish with sliced scallions. Drizzle toasted sesame oil or soy sauce if desired to complement the mild flavors.

Notes

  • Use long-grain white rice for a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Simmering time may vary slightly depending on the rice and heat level; stir regularly to avoid sticking.
  • Customize toppings to your preference, such as shredded chicken, preserved egg, or chopped herbs.
  • For a vegetarian or vegan version, use vegetable stock and soy sauce.
  • Congee can be reheated with a splash of stock or water for desired consistency.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/basic-chinese-congee-recipe/