Rice congee for breakfast to ease nausea and boost energy

CCLYYZ

Hi folks,

I've found that this recipe has been the number one hit for my mum who is on day 9 post first chemo. The rice soothes her stomach, the ginger addresses any nausea, the chicken gives her the protein she craves and boosts her energy. My sister in law made a huge batch and popped it in the fridge so that we can heat it up in a saucepan on the stove every morning and as a snack.

I hope it helps!

RICE CONGEE

• 1/2 cup rice (we prefer jasmine or basmati, but never "quick-cooking" rice!)
• 3 - 4 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut to thin slices
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

Rice cooker: Dump all ingredients into rice cooker, turn it on and stir occasionally, until congee is smooth and no longer grainy. Stirring is important, to achieve smooth congee.

Add more water/broth if necessary.
Sprinkle with black/white pepper if desired.

Stovetop: Combine all ingredients (except garnishes) in a medium saucepan, bring to boil over medium heat then turn down heat and let simmer until water has been absorbed. Stirring is important, to achieve smooth congee.

Add more water/broth if necessary.
Sprinkle with black/white pepper if desired.

NOTE: Usually when cooking congee with electric rice cooker, you might need need to click it 'on' a few times after it switches off (automatically) because congee has to simmer for some time to be smooth. It's almost like a rice pudding or tapioca consistency.

IDEA: It's bland for a reason, but feel free to add mushrooms, 1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 2 Tbsp scallions, or whatever you'd like to it!

Kiks1

CCLYZ, I have been cooking rice congee in like forever especially when the family is sick. I think the lighter texture allows your body to not work as hard to digest food, it can conserve energy to heal the body instead. So some things I do different is I actually buy or roast a chicken, strip breast into fine slivers, use the breast bone and some thighs to cook with the rice. I also use long rain brown rice instead. After the rice is done, I sprinkle white pepper, green onions, cilantro, fried shallots, and the strip slivered chicken on the top. If you like more fibre, I also add a handful of spinach towards the end of cooking the rice, spinach is rich in iron.

Great idea.

aterry

I just saw this article in ScienceDaily about arsenic in rice: http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/how-cook-rice-remove-most-arsenic.html Sometimes it seems like there is nothing that is "safe". I don't see myself following this advice on a regular basis. Do we really need to worry about everything?