A simple, Thai inspired congee rice porridge recipe for a savory, whole foods breakfast.
Oh, congee. When I was in Thailand, I had this for breakfast every single day with piles of fresh tropical fruit. I just couldn’t get enough!
When the weather here in Nashville starts taking a turn for the cold, my body craves naturally warming and cozy foods, especially to start the day. Congee rice porridge is perfect for this!
Congee Breakfast Porridge
In its simplest form, congee is boiled white rice. Traditionally, it usually has some type of chicken or vegetable stock depending on where you get it.
The congee that I had in Thailand was served with hot chili oil, kimchi, chives in addition to some fresh cucumber and pepper salad. All in all, it’s a fantastic, balanced recipe.
How To Make Congee Breakfast Porridge
For breakfast, I like to make my congee with water. That way, I can add sweet or savory garnishes on top.
Since congee is simply made with white rice and liquid, adding in some fun toppings not only boosts the flavor but also the nutrient density.
My favorite way to do this is to add a couple of poached eggs on top. If eggs aren’t your thing, that’s okay! Try out steamed edamame, tofu, tempeh or even natto (fermented beans) if you’re feeling especially adventurous. Kimchi is a must in my book for congee as well. It’s loaded with probiotics, which are key to keeping our digestion balanced and happy.
I also love adding chili oil. You can easily make this at home by slicing a couple chilis in half and putting them in a bottle of high quality olive oil. Let it soak for a couple of days and ta-da, you have chili oil!
What Is A Foundational Five Nourish Meal?
The Foundational Five Nourish Meal is any meal that contains all 5 elements within the Foundational Five, non-starchy carbohydrates, starchy carbohydrates, healthy fat, protein, and the Flavor Factor. By following this simple template it keeps food flexible, fun, and nourishing.
Any meal can be made into a Foundational Five Nourish Meal by just knowing the system I teach in our Method Membership and in my free guide about creating healthy eating habits with ease, that you can get right here!
Garnish Ideas:
- Chopped chives or shallots
- Poached eggs
- Tofu, tempeh, or edamame
- Chili oil
- Kimchi or natto (fermented goodies!)
- Sauted veggies like red cabbage (as pictured in my congee bowl)
- Cilantro
- Steamed squash or sweet potatoes (including purple!)
- Sesame seeds
- Fresh sliced cucumber or bell peppers
