Simple Mushroom Congee
I’ve been craving the simple comforts of a bowl of Congee (Rice Porridge). Have you had it before? Well, if not, I certainly recommend that you give my Simple Mushroom Congee a try. Congee is very versatile, in that you can add whatever you like to it. Without toppings it has a very mild flavor. So to give it that flavorful kick, I’ve added a little ginger and garlic into the pot and then topped it with sautéed mushrooms, scallions, sesame oil, tamari, and chili oil. Please know that how I’ve prepared this may not be the conventional way, however, I love it nonetheless. Traditionally, congee is typically eaten for breakfast, but I find that I enjoy it almost any time of the day.
If you like this dish, then you may also like my Vegetable Rice Soup.
Get the Recipe: Simple Mushroom Congee
Ingredients
For the rice:
- a drizzle toasted sesame oil, plus more to topping
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ginger, grated
- ¼ cup long-grain white rice, heaping
- salt , to taste
For the mushrooms:
- a good drizzle neutral oil, your choice
- 1 cup cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
Toppings:
- a drizzle tamari
- a drizzle chili oil
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced
Equipment
- medium pot
Instructions
- Heat the sesame oil, in a medium pot, over medium-low heat. Add in the garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in 4 cups of water and the rice. Add salt to taste. Simmer for 60 minutes or more depending on how you prefer your consistency. (The longer you let it simmer, the more the rice will breakdown and become more of a porridge consistency. I still like a little texture to mine, so I’ve reduced my cooking time a bit, but you can certainly let it simmer longer. Just be mindful of the water or broth levels and adjust accordingly.)
- About 15 minutes prior to the congee being done, prepare the mushrooms. In a medium skillet, drizzle in a little bit of the neutral oil of your choice. Once heated, add in your mushrooms and sauté until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat once done.
- To serve, ladle into bowl(s) and top it with mushrooms along with a drizzle of tamari, sesame oil, and chili oil. Shower with scallions and enjoy.
Notes
I’m very sadly allergic to sesame oil and it’s a pretty difficult flavor to substitute. Would you have any suggestions to still get a good flavor to this congee?
Hi Sarah. Well as you stated, sesame oil does have a very distinct flavor profile. But it’s truly not a must. It’s just something that I like to add. Soy sauce or Tamari..etc, really do add a lot to the dish along with other toppings. And if you like a little spice, then a drizzle of chili oil as well. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much! Just Just what the doctor ordered! Only change that I made was to add some veggie broth to rice when cooking and also tossed in some coconut milk 😋
Hi Paula! So happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for giving the recipe a try! 🙂