A Taste of Taiwan: Healthy Breakfast

Rice porridge or congee is a low fat breakfast dish that is made with rice. It has a bland taste, but added with vegetables like sweet potato or garlic sauce and meat such as beef or chicken, it can be as tasty and comforting as chicken soup on a rainy day. You can also eat congee with side dishes like pickled cucumber salad or anchovies with peanuts that you can find at a local Asian market. Congee is such a known dish in Taiwan because rice is the most important staple in their diet. In Taiwan, most people have a rice cooker, but you can also make it on your stovetop by boiling clean rice in a pot for 18 minutes and then letting it absorb all the water for 15 minutes. The rice should be cooked until the grains have grown twice their size or have completely disintegrated to develop the texture for the creamy rice porridge. Congee is a very filling meal and can also be eaten for lunch or dinner. A typical meal would consist of light breakfast like congee, lunch either boxed(bento) or eaten in a restaurant, and dinner that includes soup, rice, vegetables, and a meat dish. Although, many Taiwanese people are using more vegetarian dishes in their diet. Here is the recipe to make your own congee:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rice (not quick-cooking)
3-4 cups water (may use chicken/vegetable broth)
2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut to thin slices
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 dash black pepper (according to your taste)
6 pieces shiitake mushrooms, julienned

Garnishes

2 tablespoons scallions, chopped

sesame oil

black pepper or white pepper

Rice cooker: Dump all ingredients (except garnishes) into rice cooker, turn it on and stir occasionally, until congee is smooth and no longer grainy.

Stovetop: Combine all ingredients (except garnishes) in a medium saucepan, bring to boil over medium heat then turn down heat and let simmer until water has been absorbed.

Add more water/broth if necessary (for both methods)

Sprinkle with black/white pepper, a few drops of sesame oil and chopped scallions just before serving for 4 people. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend and will continue cultural foods in Japan on Monday!

sources: http://www.recipezaar.com/Easy-Rice-Congee-76014, http://www.eatingchina.com/recipes/rice-porridge.htm