Friday 1 November 2013

Refreshing Rice Porridge/Congee with Sweet Pototoes

Usually when any member of my family is under the weather, rice porridge or congee is the best choice. Besides being refreshing, it's also excellent for those who have weak digestive tract from chronic or acute illness and also for healing nourishment.

Cooking rice porridge or congee is easy and simple. An amount of grains with 5 to 6 times more water is all that is needed for plain rice congee and  preferably, a pinch of sea salt is added. Plain rice congee can be of white or brown rice grains.  For added flavour or health benefits and healing purposes, a combination of grains, beans, vegetables, meat or medicinal herbs is commonly practiced by my family since our grandparents' era.  In fact most of my uncles and aunts as well as my parents are quite well equipped with Chinese medicinal herbs knowledge as both my grandparents were Chinese sinseh.  Too bad, my knowledge on this topic is quite limited and I regretted that I didn't really make it a point to learn it from them.  Fortunately, I am still able to cook simple yet nutritious and healthy meal for my own family, hehehe...  Not too bad, isn't it????  

Ingredients :
- 1 cup of rice grains - I used brown rice (thoroughly washed)
- 1 medium sized orange sweet potato (peeled and cut)
- 6 cups of water (adjust the water depending on individual's preferences)
Method :
1)  Put washed rice and water into a pot and bring to a boil.
2)  Lower the heat and simmer until the rice is semi-cooked.
3)  Add in sweet potatoes and continue to cook till porridge consistency and the potatoes are soft.
4)  If you need to add water, remember to add hot water.
5)  Serve hot for breakfast or lunch.
I prefer my porridge to be super silky smooth (you need to simmer it longer) but hubby likes his rice porridge just as the above picture and my girls like theirs to be very watery.  So, each time whenever I cook porridge, the consistency of the porridge also varies depending on the type of porridge and the 'demand', hehehe...
We usually eat this with some side dishes or condiments if we are having it for lunch.  As this was for breakfast, we had it with Homemade Salted Duck Egg <--- (click here for a step-by-step recipe).
Isn't this a very simple yet healthy breakfast for your beloved family?


In case you are interested, here's the  link to my previous porridge/congee recipes :-

Malay style porridge : Bubur Lambuk/Spiced Porridge



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30 comments:

  1. Hi my dear, I just now baru makan porridge.... cha chai with pork porridge. Your sweet potato porridge certainly look inviting and appetizing. Love the salted eggs, anytime with rice or porridge. Your bitter gourd porridge look interesting, you sure very innovative in your cooking. 2 thumbs up for you. As you blog and cook, your culinary skill will improve. Keep up the good job.

    So when you going to bake cupcake? This weekend no make pau? :))
    Have a wonderful weekend, regards. Hugs to you.

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    Replies
    1. Dear Amelia, I love porridge and can have it every day without jelak!!! Thanks for your sweet words. You really motivate me to improve my culinary skill and I thank you for that. Don't worry, cup cakes are coming soon. Now busy with exam and give me another 2 weeks, I will show you my cup cakes!!! Hugs and muaks to you too, dearie !!

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  2. This congee is what we will be eating after Deepavali. I love congee with salted eggs very much. Its a perfect complete meal, easy to make yet perfect in consistency.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Nava, yeah, you are right!!! Congee is definitely a good choice especially after those sinfully delicious foods you have popped into your mouth and tummy during Deepavali. We eat congee after the first few days of Chinese New Year too for the same reason!!! Here's wishing you and your family "Happy Deepavali" .

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  3. Hi Ivy, My landlady used to boil sweet potato porridge. She used to boil only a small pot for herself because nobody else took the porridge. And I dare not ask for it since she had already prepared rice and other dishes for us!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Doris and have a great weekend ahead :)

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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks Beena and Happy Deepavali to you and your family :)

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  5. It''s so interesting to read about all the health benefits of this porridge, Ivy.
    A wonderful , simple remedy that tastes good and feels good as well :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Daniela, yes, it's simple and healthy too. Have a wonderful day ahead and cheers :)

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  6. I used to cook this too, my family's favourite. Looking at your post, is a reminder to me.

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  7. Hi Ivy, All the bubur look good & love adddition of sweet potato ! YUMMY!

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  8. Hi Ivy! My mum loves to cook porridge with sweet potatoes too. But when I was younger I hated porridge hee..hee..but I appreciate them now. My grandma used to cook porridge until it became like glue. That was the main reason why I did not like porridge.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Phong Hong, I like sweet potatoes porridge and would never get tired of it :)

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  9. Hello Ivy, I sure would love have this porridge dish. Never seen it made this way too.
    My favourite is always with salt fish and ikan bilis.
    Looking at your pics, I think I should be able to polish off 3 bowls, easy, ha ha.
    Have a great week, keep a song in your heart.
    Lee.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lee for your sweet words. Cheers :)

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  10. Easy, nutritious and delicious! Love this simple porridge recipe.

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  11. Hi Ivy, just the word 'porridge'...is so, proper British, that we Americans are not so familiar with. Although I do know that it is warming, satisfying, and especially healthy, simple, and nutritious for anyone 'under the weather' as you say! Love the sweet, or savory version of your porridge...yumm! Hugs,

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Elisabeth. Yes, it's very warming and satisfying especially when one is not feeling well. Have an excellent day ahead and do take care :)

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  12. Hi Ivy,
    I just cooked this last week! Usually for weekend lunch! This an evergreen meal! Like our mother used to cook for us, now we are cooking it for our kids! :)

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  13. Hi Joyce, yes, kids usually like it too. Have a wonderful day ahead :)

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  14. I haven't had this kind of porridge for a long, long time! Wow!, when I saw the photo with sweet potatoes, it suddenly brings back childhood memories. My mom usually cook this for our "merienda" , after we had a short nap in the afternoon. We eat this without the salted duck egg. One of these days, I'll try to cook this recipe and I'll reminisce about the old days while eating it.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Imee, this simple porridge does indeed brings back childhood memories. We have been having this since we were kids too. Have a wonderful day ahead :)

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  15. It was so much fun seeing how many of the commenters are really fond of this dish!

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  16. Hi Ivy, love sweet potatoes in porridge but always forgotten to add them when cooking. Thanks for reminding.

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