Serves 4
Congee is a thick Chinese soup made with rice, which sort of explodes as it cooks. Okay, it doesn't really explode, but it doesn't keep its rice-like shape and it kind of breaks apart. In China they eat it for breakfast, but we like it for lunch and dinner too. It can also be called
jook.
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Kitchen Gear:
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Large soup pot with lid
Peeler
Potholder
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon olive or canola oil
¼ small Spanish onion, diced
¼ cup diced carrots
2 tablespoons diced celery
½ cup long grain brown rice (not parboiled)
4 cup slow-sodium chicken broth
¼ teaspoon unseasoned rice wine vinegar
A small piece of fresh ginger root, about the size of a nickel, peeled and minced
Scallions, including green and white parts, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or Italian flat-leaf parsley leaves
Instructions:
Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your kitchen gear and ingredients and put them on a clean counter.
With the help of your adult, place a large soup pot over medium-low heat and wait 2 minutes for it to heat up.
With the help of your adult, carefully add the oil, then add the onion, carrots, and celery.
Cook until softened but not browned, about 10 minutes.
Add the rice and chicken stock, raise the heat to high, and bring to a boil.
Once it's bubbling, turn the heat to very low and put a lid on the pot, but only part way.
Cook until the rice sort of explodes and falls apart, about 30 minutes.
Add the unseasoned rice vinegar, stir, and set the rice aside, covered, while you prepare the toppings.
Add the toppings to the congee just before you serve it.
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