Winter Congee: A Recipe to Warm and Strengthen by Cassandra Rose, L.Ac.

Congee is a mild and delicious porridge made from simmering a hand full of rice in 5 to 6 times the water until it dissolves into a creamy texture. It is traditionally made from rice but can be made from millet, mung bean, spelt or any grain. It is cooked over a very low flame or in a crock pot for several hours. The longer the better for you.

It is comforting and easy on your digestive system. It tonifies blood and qi, harmonizes digestion and is demulcent. It is the perfect food when recovering from an illness and it can help keep you strong to prevent getting ill. Set this up in the crock pot on warm and wake up to a hot breakfast everyday.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups white rice

6 cups water

3 1/4 inch slices of fresh ginger

1 plump clove of garlic smashed

1 green onion tied into a knot

1/4 of a whole yellow or red onion

Soy sauce, salt and white pepper to taste

Sesame oil drizzle if desired

Option 1) Use chicken bone broth in the place of water

Option 2) Use wild mushrooms or vegetable broth in place of water

 

Directions:

  • Combine rice, water or broth, ginger, garlic, green onion and onion. Bring to a boil and skim off and foam that rises to the surface.
  • Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 2 to 3 hours, until rice grains are dissolved enough to create a texture similar to oatmeal. You can add water or simmer longer to create the texture that is most pleasing to you.
  • Remove the ginger, garlic, green onion and onion. Add soy sauce, salt and white pepper to taste.
  • Ladle into individual bowls, sizzle with sesame oil and garnish with fresh chopped green onion.
  • ENJOY

Different spices and foods can be added to the porridge to make it suited to your individual constitutional needs. Come on in and let Cassandra help you create your perfect congee.

 

 

 

Cassandra Rose, L.Ac. is a board certified and licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in Minnesota. Her passion is to creating accessibility around acupuncture. She has given more than 10,000 acupuncture treatments since obtaining her license in 2015. As a practitioner she has helped folks with stress, digestion, oncology side effects, fertility, reproductive health, immune support, the common cold, pain management and more. What ever draws you to seek treatment she can help or can help you find a path forward. She can be reached at (509)939-6314, (612) 859-7709 x 129 or cassandra@bhakticlinic.com.