Soft and Savory Plain Rice Porridge
Soft and Savory Plain Rice Porridge
How to Make the Easiest and Most Delicious Plain Rice Porridge: Perfect for Baby Food, Colonoscopies, and Recovering from Stomach Bugs!
I’ve made this plain rice porridge using rice for my children who have been suffering from stomach bugs one after another. While making porridge from cooked rice is simpler, the texture and taste of porridge made from rice are significantly better. Moreover, children who dislike porridge might refuse to eat it if it doesn’t taste good. Therefore, I decided to take a little more time and make this stomach-friendly porridge from rice. The flavor is incredibly good – nutty and smooth. You can lightly season it with soy sauce if desired, but for stomach issues, even seasoning can be a burden, so I served it without any added salt. This recipe ensures a comforting and delicious meal.
Ingredients- 1 cup Rice (rinsed clean and soaked for over 30 minutes)
- 6-7 cups Water
- 0.5-1 Tbsp Perilla oil or Sesame oil (optional)
- A pinch of Soy sauce (optional, for seasoning)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 1 cup of rice. Rinse the rice thoroughly under running water multiple times until clean. Place the rinsed rice in a bowl and soak it in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Soaking softens the rice grains, allowing the porridge to cook more evenly and result in a better texture. Once soaked, drain the rice completely using a sieve. Set aside.
Step 2
After draining the soaked rice, add about 0.5 to 1 tablespoon of perilla oil or sesame oil to the pot and lightly stir-fry it. This toasting step adds a wonderful nutty aroma and depth of flavor to the porridge, making it much more delicious. However, if you are preparing this as a quick breakfast or for consumption before/after a colonoscopy, or if you have a severe stomach condition, even a small amount of oil might be too heavy. In such cases, you can skip this step and proceed directly to the next.
Step 3
Gently stir-fry the rice over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes, being careful not to burn it. You’ll notice the rice grains becoming slightly translucent, and a lovely nutty aroma from the oil will begin to fill the air. This process helps to coat the rice grains, preventing them from clumping together and contributing to the porridge’s smooth consistency.
Step 4
Now it’s time to add the water. Approximately 6 cups of water for 1 cup of rice (about 6-7 cups in total) is a good starting point. The final consistency of the porridge can be adjusted to your preference, so it’s best to add the water in two or three batches rather than all at once. I chose to add the water in two stages.
Step 5
Begin by adding 3 cups of water to the pot. Cover it with a lid and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once the water is rapidly boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the rice grains to cook thoroughly. Stir occasionally with a spoon to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 6
After 10 minutes of simmering, add the remaining 3-4 cups of water. This time, cook the porridge with the lid off, stirring continuously. Cooking without a lid helps to control the porridge’s thickness and prevents the rice from clumping.
Step 7
Since porridge can easily stick to the bottom of the pot, it’s crucial to stir frequently throughout the cooking process. If you neglect to stir, the bottom might burn, ruining the taste of the porridge. Be vigilant!
Step 8
As you continue to stir and cook, you’ll notice the initial large volume of water gradually reducing, and the porridge will start to thicken to your desired consistency. Scoop some porridge with a spoon and check if the rice grains are fully tender and the consistency is just right for eating. You can adjust the cooking time to achieve your preferred thickness.
Step 9
Once the rice grains are completely softened and the porridge has reached your desired thick yet smooth consistency, turn off the heat and finish. It’s advisable not to make it too thick from the start, so ensure there’s enough liquid. If the porridge becomes too thick upon reheating, simply add a little warm water and simmer for a short while longer to enjoy it with its original smooth texture. While no seasoning was added in this basic recipe, if you wish to add flavor, a very small amount of soy sauce can make it even more delicious.
