Learn how to make Turning Red's famous Congee
Since the release of the movie Turning Red, the congee recipe has gone viral. Thanks to this, not only more people know Chinese cuisine, but also try to recreate this recipe at home and in the company of children.
If this is your case, that is to say that you are curious to know and try this recipe at home, you cannot miss this recipe that we bring for you. Next, we will explain how to make congee in a simple way and with all the ingredients of the traditional Chinese recipe.
However, do not worry about how complicated or expensive the recipe is, because the steps to follow are simple and the ingredients are easily available at any supermarket.
Congee ingredients:
Two cups of rice, one short grain and one long grain.
A tablespoon of olive oil.
Salt to taste.
A skinless chicken breast.
One and a half tablespoons of cornstarch.
A tablespoon of oyster sauce.
Sunflower oil, necessary amount (You can use any other neutral vegetable oil instead).
10 cups of water or chicken broth.
One medium ginger root.
A fungus type crimina.
A couple of sprigs of chives.
two eggs
A little soy sauce.
Steps for making congee
Rice preparation:
Rinse the rice by passing it through water. To do this, pour the rice into a strainer, let it soak and wash it, then remove it and change the water. Repeat this process several times until the water from the last wash is very clear. In this way, the rice will release its starch.
Pour the freshly washed rice into a new bowl and add enough water to cover the rice. Let the rice soak for 30 minutes or overnight until the next day.
Once the rice is ready to cook, that is, slightly hydrated, add a little olive oil and salt to taste. Stir a little and reserve.
Chicken preparation:
Chop the chicken breasts into very small pieces and transfer to a bowl.
This is the time to marinate the chicken. To do this, the first thing to do is dissolve a little corn starch in a separate small container, adding a little water and beating.
Add a little oyster sauce and salt to the minced chicken, followed by the cornstarch and stir a little so that it is integrated.
Also add a little neutral vegetable oil and stir again.
Cover the chicken and let it rest in the marinade, taking it to the refrigerator while you continue with the recipe.
Rice cooking:
Place a pot of chicken broth or cups of water on the stove over medium heat and wait for it to boil.
Peel the ginger and cut it into long, thin strips. A trick so that the ginger is perfectly peeled and you don't waste your food, is to peel it with a spoon.
Pour the rice that you had reserved in the chicken broth or cups of water once it boils. This will prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Stir constantly while they are cooking, but don't be alarmed if the rice grains jump while cooking, as this is normal.
After about 15 minutes, when the rice has melted a bit, it will be time to add the chicken. A good option is to take it with a fork and drain it a little before adding it.
Cover the pot and lower the heat to a minimum to let it cook for 15 more minutes.
After this time, when you notice that the rice is very creamy, it will be time to add the pieces of ginger. Stir, integrating them and let them cook for a few more minutes.
Once everything is finished cooking, remove from the heat and reserve.
Elaboration of the decoration elements:
Take the mushrooms and after washing them, chop them into slightly thin slices. Then, sauté on both sides and for a couple of minutes in the pan with a little olive oil and medium heat. Later, reserve.
Take the branches of chives, cut them into medium pieces and the smallest part, cut it into very small pieces, as these will serve to make the character's hair. Once you have it ready, reserve.
Put a non-stick frying pan on the heat and add a little vegetable oil to make it hot. Once it is hot, crack an egg and let it cook on one side, but taking care that the yolk remains liquid.
Repeat the previous step and once you have the two eggs ready and they are very large and do not fit in the plate where you will place the congee, cut the excess, so that they are round.
Assemble the congee:
The first thing you should do is fill a plate or bowl with the rice almost to the brim, so that you have enough space to form the face at the end.
Very carefully, place the eggs in the shape of eyes on the rice.
On top of the eggs place the medium pieces of chives as eyebrows.
Spread the small pieces of chives over the eyebrows, so that it simulates the hair of the character.
Place one of the mushroom slices under the eggs and across the center of the plate, so that this simulates the nose.
Finally, and with the help of a spoon, draw a soy sauce smile under the slice of mushroom, to simulate the mouth.
As you may have noticed, it is very easy to make the famous congee from the movie Turning Red. Therefore, if you are a big fan of this movie, or you are simply curious about this dish of Chinese cuisine, do not stop trying to make it at home.
