Congee (2024)

FAQs

Congee? ›

Congee (/ˈkɒndʒiː/, derived from Tamil கஞ்சி [kaɲdʑi]) is a form of savoury rice porridge made by boiling rice in a large amount of water until the rice softens. Depending on rice-water ratio, the thickness of congee varies from a Western oatmeal porridge to a gruel.

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. And if you are thinking about weight-control, Congee has way fewer calories than any normal rice dish.

Congee is a traditional Chinese porridge made from boiling rice in a large amount of water for a long time. As it cooks, the rice releases its starch, which thickens it up into a porridge, and becomes soft, silky, and creamy.

Congee or Rice Porridge

Here's how to make congee, the savory Chinese rice porridge, out of overcooked rice: Bring a couple of inches of water to a boil in a sauce pan and start adding the mushy rice, a couple of spoonful's at a time. Break them up with a whisk, as you add them to the water.

In East Asian Medicine (EAM), rice is considered sweet and neutral, supplements the qi and blood, and strengthens digestion. Congee helps tonify the Qi and blood, harmonize digestion, reduce inflammation, and nourish the body.

Congee is considered in TCM as a must-have breakfast dish. By jump-starting the digestive system congee injects the nutrients right where they are needed and naturally heals by nurturing the digestive system to maximise it's function. If you need to lose or gain weight congee can help.

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.

When made with water, the taste of congee is very bland, but there are many ways that you can add sweet or savory flavors. For a different base, switch to beef, chicken, or vegetable stock (or use equal parts of water and stock), and the rice will soak up that flavor as it cooks.

Youtiao (Chinese Fried Dough Sticks) - This is a classic ingredient to eat alongside congee. You can leave them whole as long sticks and dip them in your congee or you can chop them into small pieces and mix them into the 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.

Can I eat congee left out overnight? ›

Eating cooked rice left out overnight is generally not considered safe. When rice is left at room temperature for extended periods, it creates an environment conducive to the growth of Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

Dress up this classic white rice porridge with your favorite savory toppings like bacon, Chinese sausage, or onions.

Congee is an amazing food to eat medicinally to support digestion and overall health and people (even kids!) usually love it. We commonly recommend this to those dealing with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low appetite or who are recovering from an acute illness.

Porridge in the US is usually oats cooked with milk and sugar while congees that don't have mung beans, dry fruit and stuff like that typically don't have sugar. Congee is also eaten with pickles while it's more maple syrup for porridge. People eat breads on the side of congee because it's usually thinner as well.

Recipe Notes

Storage: The congee can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat congee over medium-low heat, and add a splash of water to thin out if too thick.

In some parts of Asia, it is also made with other grains such as millet, sorghum and barley. Congee is a dish that has been used to feed those in famine or settle an upset stomach and can be eaten at any time of the day. In Asia, rice porridge is popular for breakfast and can also be eaten as a side dish.

Congee is a traditional Chinese rice porridge that offers several health benefits and healing properties. It supports digestive health by being easy to digest, soothing inflammation in the gut, and alleviating constipation.

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.

Storage: The congee can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat congee over medium-low heat, and add a splash of water to thin out if too thick.