Vegetarian Congee
People in Guangdong are famous for their love of congee. Whether it's for breakfast or a late-night snack, they cannot do without a bowl of fragrant, sticky congee. The varieties of Guangdong congee are enough to make one's head spin, and include fruit congee, peanut congee, red bean congee, and Laba congee (Ba Bao Zhou). These and more are some of the nutritious vegetarian congee options available.
Congee, or Porridge, is one of the most Popular Foods in China
Anybody who grew up in China can remember the fresh smell of plain congee wafting through the alleyways. That scent – sometimes with fruit, crab, or fresh milk added in – is deeply imbedded in the memories of many people who grew up in Guangdong. Cantonese people often say that food is the best medicine there is, and congee is seen as the elixir of the gods when it comes to treating illness with diet. Today, fragrant and unique congee dishes are appearing from the areas around cities. The clear and sweet taste of congee, with its hint of rice flavor, is truly one of the finest delicacies of this world.
The Benefits of Consuming Congee
- 1. Congee can strengthen the stomach and adjust the intestines, aiding digestion.
- If rice is cooked at over 140°F (60°C), it will gelatinize, and the cooked congee will melt in one's mouth. It will digest very easily, making it a great dish for people with stomach problems.
- 2. Congee enhances appetite, increases strength, and balances one's nutrition
- For sick people, people with weak appetites, and people in the early stages of a major illness, clear congee with prunes, pickled vegetables, and other bright and lustrous foods that whet the appetite enhances appetite, provides nutrients, and increases strength. Children with limited diets can achieve more balanced nutrition by frequently consuming congee.
- 3. Congee has beautifying effects and adjusts and supplements original qi (yuan qi)
- Many ingredients added to congee dishes enrich the blood and have moisturizing effects on the skin. Frequently consuming congee keeps one energetic and ensures a healthy complexion.
- 4. Congee hydrates and prevents constipation
- Most people nowadays eat too many refined foods and don't exercise enough, which can lead to constipation. Congee contains lots of water, so it can allay hunger and also hydrate, which helps prevent constipation.
- 5. Congee improves the constitution and increases longevity
- Consuming congee wards off minor illnesses. In cold weather, having a bowl of hot congee in the morning can help keep one warm, thus enhancing the immune system and preventing one from catching a cold. The health effects of congee are plain to see. The elderly in particular should consume congee regularly to improve their constitution and increase longevity.
