As the weather cools down in Sydney, this is the recipe I recommend most often. Congee is a simple rice porridge eaten across Asia for breakfast, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it is considered one of the most nourishing and easy-to-digest meals there is. When the digestion is tired, congee gives it a rest while still providing warmth and energy.
It is inexpensive, takes one pot and you can flavour it a hundred ways. This is the basic version I make at home.
Time to make: 60-90 minutes (mostly unattended) · Serves: 3-4
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice (jasmine or any medium grain)
- 8-9 cups water (more water makes a silkier congee)
- A thumb of fresh ginger, finely sliced
- Salt to taste
- Optional toppings: spring onion, sesame oil, a boiled egg, cooked chicken, coriander, white pepper
Method
- Rinse the rice once, then add it to a large pot with the water and ginger.
- Bring to the boil, then reduce to the lowest simmer with the lid partly on.
- Stir every 15 minutes or so to stop it catching on the bottom.
- After 60-90 minutes the rice grains will have broken down into a silky porridge. Add water at any point if it gets too thick.
- Season with salt and add your toppings.
Why congee in the cooler months?
From a TCM perspective the digestive system works best with warmth. Cold mornings paired with cold foods (smoothies, cold cereal, iced drinks) ask a lot of the digestion, especially for people who already experience bloating or sluggish energy in winter. A warm, slow-cooked breakfast is a simple way to start the day gently. This is the kind of practical, food-first advice I often work through with patients in a naturopathy consultation.
Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3 days. Add a splash of water when reheating. Enjoy, Ahil.
Any questions or to book in, feel free to contact Ahil at the Alexandria clinic on (02) 9341 5775 or by email at ahilnaturopath@gmail.com.
Ahil Naturopath/Acupuncture is a clinic located near Redfern, Alexandria and Waterloo. We also service areas across Sydney including Botany, Camperdown, Darlinghurst, Erskineville, Eveleigh, Mascot, Newtown, Rosebery, Surry Hills and Zetland.
We offer Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Cupping, Gua Sha (Scraping) and Moxibustion services in South-East, Eastern and Inner City of Sydney.