Multigrain Congee (Mixed Grain Rice Porridge)
A soft, creamy Chinese porridge made from a mix of whole grains. A little soaking and freezing ahead of time means it cooks up quick and gentle on small tummies.
Ingredients
- 30 ml brown rice, soaked2.03 tbsp brown rice, soaked
- 30 ml brown sweet rice, soaked2.03 tbsp brown sweet rice, soaked
- 30 ml black rice, soaked2.03 tbsp black rice, soaked
- 30 ml black sweet rice, soaked2.03 tbsp black sweet rice, soaked
- 30 ml barley, soaked2.03 tbsp barley, soaked
- 30 ml wild rice, soaked2.03 tbsp wild rice, soaked
- 30 ml farro, soaked2.03 tbsp farro, soaked
- 30 ml sorghum, soaked2.03 tbsp sorghum, soaked
Steps
Prep the Grains
- Combine the brown rice, brown sweet rice, black rice, black sweet rice, barley, wild rice, farro, and sorghum in a bowl, then cover with water and soak for 2 hours.
- Rinse and drain the soaked grains well, transfer them to a resealable bag, and freeze for at least 8 hours. Freezing helps them break down fast when cooking.
Cook the Congee
- Measure 4 cups of water for every cup of frozen grain mix into a pot. Add the grains, cover with the lid, and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, turn off the heat and keep the lid on. Do not stir. Let it sit for 15 minutes so the grains keep cooking gently.
- Bring back to a boil over high heat, then turn off the heat, keep the lid on, and let it sit for 15 more minutes until thick and creamy.
- Stir gently and serve warm. The longer it rests covered, the thicker it gets, so stir in a little hot water to loosen if needed.
Nutrition
- Calories
- 180
- Protein
- 4g
- Fat
- 2g
- Carbs
- 38g
Tips by age
Cook until very soft and thick, then mash any firm grain pieces with the back of a spoon. Serve warm in a shallow bowl and let your toddler practice scooping.
Choking safety: Whole grains like wild rice and black rice can stay chewy. Make sure every grain is fully softened and mash any firm bits before serving.
Serve warm and soft as written. Offer a small bowl with a spoon and check that the congee is comfortably warm, not hot, before serving.
Choking safety: Ensure tougher grains are fully cooked through and soft, with no firm or chewy pieces remaining.
Serve warm as written in a small bowl. You can stir in a little extra hot water if it has thickened too much while resting.
Serve as written. Add a soft cooked vegetable or shredded chicken on top to make it a fuller meal if you like.
Serve as written in a regular bowl. For older kids and adults, you can add a pinch of salt or a splash of low-sodium soy sauce at the table to taste.
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