If you’re looking for a calming carb-based side dish that’s suuuuuper easy on your gut, actually moves things along, and doesn’t leave you bloated, nothing compares to congee! Congee has become a staple in my kitchen. I’ve had seasons of gut flares where rice literally saved me…and to this day, I never get sick of how versatile and soothing it can be. I make several batches a week in the colder months I like it THAT much :)
The pressure cooker does the heavy lifting so you can get on with your day, so if you've been feeling curious about trying out an Instant pot, I highly recommend. No affiliation, by the way! What you end up with is something deeply nourishing, super creamy, that even the most sensitive digestive system can handle. (Also works wonderfully with brown rice if your gut is a bit more robust or if you prefer the extra bowel-movin’ insoluble fiber and nuttiness from whole grains). Try it both ways and see which feels better for you!).
Simple White Rice Congee Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 cup sushi rice
8 cups water/broth
Fresh ginger (a few slices or a thumb-sized knob, whatever you fancy!)
1 tsp apple cider vinegar (for soaking)
Instructions:
The night before, cover rice with water and add 1 tsp ACV. Let it soak overnight, then rinse while you wiggle your booty. (Only if using brown rice. Skip if using white!)
Add rice, 8 cups water, a fat pinch of salt, and fresh ginger to your pressure cooker.
Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. That’s it.
My favorite way to serve it:
Pair with 8-minute boiled eggs and some shredded chicken and top with:
Chopped cilantro
A drizzle of tamari
A drizzle of coconut oil
Crushed peanuts/macadamia nuts
Seaweed
Greek yogurt, skyr, kefir, leftover veggies, pickles, etc. Let yourself play and see what additions you enjoy most :)
Congee is so warm, grounding, and genuinely satisfying. The kind of comfort food that feels like it’s working with your body and soothing your soul in ways you didn’t know you needed. Try it and let me know what you think!
I also love making a sweet version of this with caramelized bananas, macadamia nuts, cinnamon, lemon zest, and a heavy pour of milk! You can really make this as simple or wild as you'd like.
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