Congee Recipes for Winter, Spring and Post Menstruation

Presented by: Renae Haldeman

Winter Congee: Laba Porridge

Efficacy:  This recipe brings moisture to the lungs & skin, relieves cough, strengthens the spleen, dispels damp phlegm, and promotes digestion in the closed time of winter.  This porridge is a traditional holiday food, and can  be eaten liberally during the winter months.

Ingredients

• ½ cup (100 g) Aduki beans (red beans)
• 1 cup (150 g) Glutinous rice
• 6 cups (1.5 L) Water

Optional

• Red dates (3/6/9), pitted
• Hawthorn berries (shan zha)
• Ginkgo
• Longan meat
• Lychee meat
• Lily bulb (bai he)
• Lotus seed
• Walnuts
• Sweeten to taste

Preparation Instructions

• Wash 1 cup (150 g) rice in filtered water. Rinse / wash the rice repeatedly until the water runs clear. In a large slow cooker add the rinsed rice to 6 cups (1.5L) water and soak for 6-8 hours.
• Add ½ cup (100 g) adzuki beans to water / rice mixture.
• Add any optional ingredients to the slow cooker.
• Place the lid onto the slow cooker and turn it on to the low setting. Cook for several hours or over night.
• Add any additional ingredients (see note) 5 minutes before cooking time is complete.
• Sweeten to taste with sweetener of choice

Note: whenever using ingredients such as vegetables and flowers, add them 5 minutes before cooking time is done.

Actions & Indications

Western:

• Relieve Symptoms of Edema
• Treat Toxic Sores
• Relieve Symptoms of Jaundice

Eastern:

• Clear Heat and Promote Urine
• Drain Dampness
• Disperse Blood Stasis
• Clear Damp-Heat

Spring Congee: Yam Porridge

Efficacy:  This porridge nourishes the spleen and stomach.  It replenishes yin fluid (blood) and strengthens the lung, nourishes the liver and kidney, and brightens the eyes.  The ingredients in this porridge are particularly beneficial for those with weak spleen and stomach.

Ingredients

• 4 cups (600 g) Yams
• ½ cup (100 g) Glutinous rice
• 6 cups (1.5 L) Water
• ½ Tbsp (10 g) Goji berries

Preparation Instructions

• Wash ½ cup (100 g) rice in filtered water. Rinse / wash the rice repeatedly until the water runs clear. In a large slow cooker add the rinsed rice to 6 cups (1.5 L) water and soak for 6-8 hours.
• Add 4 cups (600 g) yams and ½ Tbsp goji berries to water / rice mixture.
• Place the lid onto the slow cooker and turn it on to the low setting. Cook for several hours or over night.

Actions & Indications

Western:

• Treat Diarrhea
• Treat Cough & Wheeze
• Replenish Fluids

Eastern:

• Treat Low Back Pain
• Helps With Impotence
• Brightens the Eyes

Post-Menstruation Congee: Rehmannia Porridge

Efficacy:  This is a very rich medicinal porridge that encourages tonification of blood.  It is especially suitable after menstruation is complete.  The rehmannia root benefits the heart, liver and kidneys.  Its nature is sweet.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce (30 g) rehmannia glutinosa root (shu di huang)
• Red dates (3/6/9), pitted
• ⅓ cup (60 g) Glutinous rice
• 3 cups (700 mL) Water

Optional

• Sugar to taste

Preparation Instructions

• Wash ⅓ cup (60 g) rice in filtered water. Rinse / wash the rice repeatedly until the water runs clear. In a large slow cooker add the rinsed rice to 3 cups (700 mL) water and soak in a slow cooker for 6-8 hours.
• Rinse the rehmannia and dates. Add to a pot with small amount of water, about 1 cup (235 mL), and soak for 30 minutes. Bring to a boil and turn heat to a simmer in order to cook for 30 minutes to extract the juice.  Strain out the rehmannia and dates from the liquid.  There should be about ⅘ cup (190 mL) of decoction remaining.
• Combine the rehmannia and date decoction with the water and rice mixture in the slow cooker.
• Place the lid onto the slow cooker and turn it on to the low setting. Cook for several hours or over night.
• Sweeten to taste.

Actions & Indications

Western:

• Treat Shortness of Breath
• Replenish Blood Store
• Treat Hypertension

Eastern:

• Tonify Blood, Especially for Blood Deficiency
• Treat Dizziness
• Treat Low Back Pain
• Treat Night Sweat