Rehmannia Congee
An Ancient Tonic
The health benefits of Rehmannia were known as early as the Han dynasty, where they were recorded in the scrolls of Shennong’s Compendium of Materia Medica. The Ming-era botanist and pharmacologist Li Shizhen also praised the nutritional prowess of the Rehmannia root. In modern times, the Cantonese people pair Rehmannia with nearly every type of ingredient to create various soups and congees.
Best served during the winter season, this delicious and nourishing congee recipe pairs Rehmannia with jujube seeds and rice. When selecting Rehmannia to use in this dish, choose sections that are relatively large, heavy, and dark with a healthy luster.
Health Benefits of Rehmannia Congee
Rehmannia congee is effective against fevers, osteoporosis, and allergies. It can also provide some relief to those who are diabetic or anemic.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce (30 grams) Rehmannia
- 2/3 ounce (20 grams) jujube (red date) seeds
- 1/3 cup (60 grams) rice
Seasonings
- white sugar to taste
Cooking Directions
- Wash the Rehmannia. Wash and rinse the rice.
- Fill a pot with a small amount of water and add in the Rehmannia and jujube seeds. Cook for 30 minutes and extract the juice. Continue to cook and extract juice until a total of approximately 4/5 cup (200 milliliters) has been collected.
- To a different pot, add rice and the extracted juice along with water. Bring to boil, then lower the heat and cook until a thick broth is formed.
- Mix in white sugar, to taste.