A Rice Porridge Recipe and a Few Very Good Recommendations
I froze the last of the Thanksgiving turkey meat on Monday only to defrost it Tuesday night for dinner. I’m sure everyone is likely fatigued with the many leftover ideas in your inbox, but I made a very delicious version of congee last night for dinner and I’ve deemed it worth sharing. I’m fighting a cold and wanted something spicy and comforting and this offered both. I also plan on eating it for breakfast today. As of this morning, I have lost my battle to the cold, but I don’t blame the congee.
For those not familiar, congee is a simmered Chinese rice porridge. It is known by a number of names across Asia and is very adaptable. You can read more about this wonderful rice porridge and its origins here.
Colu’s Feel Better Congee
If you want to make this instead with a rotisserie chicken and chicken stock feel free, I’m sure it will be just as good. I just simply cannot get enough of the braised thighs I made for Thanksgiving.
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
7 cups turkey or chicken stock
1 cup of jasmine rice, rinsed well
2 to 3 cups turkey or chicken meat, shredded
Kosher salt
For serving and all optional
Scallions, julienned ginger, cilantro, fried shallots, chili crisp, thinly sliced Bird’s eye chili, soy sauce for serving
METHOD:
In a large saucepan bring the turkey stock, rice and turkey meat to a boil. Turn to medium heat and simmer, stirring frequently for 35 to 40 minutes, until the rice has completely broken down into a soft texture and the rice no longer resembles rice and instead looks, well, porridge-y. Taste and adjust with salt as needed.
Spoon into a bowl and top with whatever toppings you choose - clearly, I chose them all.
While I have you, I also have some recommendations for you this week.
Look at these incredible limited edition stockings from the Farmhouse Project. They are made from worn vintage rugs! I may need one or two…
I’m deep into Dani Shapiro’s latest book Signal Fires and highly recommend it. It’s her first piece of fiction in 15 years. Worth the wait.
I treated myself to an early Christmas present this year and purchased the Dollhouse locket from Catbird. I had it engraved with “J” for our Joshie dog, who we lost a few months ago. It’s tiny and delicate and I now have a place to keep a small piece of fur close to my heart at all times. It’s also on sale right now.
In closing, I truly can’t believe we’ve gone from “the holidays are approaching” to “the holidays are here.” This can be a complicated time for many people, myself included. As much as I have great affection for this time of year, I still find it to be incredibly melancholy due to many reasons I won’t bother you with at present.
If you’re also one of those people, be good to you and show yourself some grace, I’m trying to do the same.
I’ll see you soon.
Paid subscribers, I’ll see you sooner.
With love,
Colu