Congee with Mushrooms

Congee or Chinese Medicinal Rice Porridge, is a nourishing and warming dish, perfect for the cooler months. Traditionally Congee is made with rice but other grains such as barley may be used if preferred. Due to it's long cooking time (a slow cooker is perfect for this) it is easy on digestion. Congee can be savory or sweet. Today I have used mushrooms as they are currently in season and delicious! In Chinese Medicine dietary therapy, mushrooms can benefit the lungs and stomach and rice cooked this way helps to support digestion and boost energy levels.

Yields6 Servings
Prep Time30 minsCook Time8 hrsTotal Time8 hrs 30 mins

 1 cup rice - jasmine or broken rice (broken rice is available from asian grocers)
 9 cups vegetable stock/ chicken stock or water
 sea salt
 5 button mushrooms
 5 swiss brown mushrooms
 3 oyster mushrooms
 1 dried shitake mushroom
 3 dried wood ear mushrooms
 olive oil
 pickled ginger
 chives
 soy sauce or tamari

1

Rinse the rice thoroughly, drain and place in slow cooker or heavy based saucepan.
Add the 9 cups of liquid and sea salt. Stir to combine.
If using a slow cooker, set heat to low and leave for 6-8 hours or overnight.
If using a saucepan, simmer on the stove for up to four hours or until desired consistency is reached. Rice should be flaky and the congee a nice soupy consistency.

2

Soak dried shitake and wood ear mushrooms in warm water for 10 minutes until soft, then chop finely.
Slice button and swiss brown mushrooms and tear oyster mushrooms into small pieces.
Saute mushrooms in olive oil for several minutes until tender.
Serve congee topped with the mushroom mix, pickled ginger and chives.
Add soy sauce or tamari to taste.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

 1 cup rice - jasmine or broken rice (broken rice is available from asian grocers)
 9 cups vegetable stock/ chicken stock or water
 sea salt
 5 button mushrooms
 5 swiss brown mushrooms
 3 oyster mushrooms
 1 dried shitake mushroom
 3 dried wood ear mushrooms
 olive oil
 pickled ginger
 chives
 soy sauce or tamari

Directions

1

Rinse the rice thoroughly, drain and place in slow cooker or heavy based saucepan.
Add the 9 cups of liquid and sea salt. Stir to combine.
If using a slow cooker, set heat to low and leave for 6-8 hours or overnight.
If using a saucepan, simmer on the stove for up to four hours or until desired consistency is reached. Rice should be flaky and the congee a nice soupy consistency.

2

Soak dried shitake and wood ear mushrooms in warm water for 10 minutes until soft, then chop finely.
Slice button and swiss brown mushrooms and tear oyster mushrooms into small pieces.
Saute mushrooms in olive oil for several minutes until tender.
Serve congee topped with the mushroom mix, pickled ginger and chives.
Add soy sauce or tamari to taste.

Enjoy!

Congee with Mushrooms