Eating congee can nourish the body without burdening the digestive system, and it is not easily prone to obesity. It is one of the most advocated dietary health methods for modern people. So, how long does it take to cook congee?
How long does it take to cook congee?
When cooking congee, it is generally recommended to bring it to a boil over high heat first, and then simmer it over low heat for about 30 minutes. Prolonged cooking of congee can hydrolyze the starch into dextrin, which is beneficial for digestion and absorption. However, it can also cause a rise in blood sugar. Therefore, for households with diabetes patients, the cooking time for congee should not be too long. For other groups, especially children and those with poor digestion and absorption, a longer cooking time is preferable.
The right cooking time for congee
Different types of congee can be made by adjusting the cooking time. For example, simmering congee over low heat with ginkgo and lily can clear heat and reduce fire, while cooking meat congee over high heat can result in a low oil and low fat, original flavor, and refreshing taste.
Choosing the right cooking utensils for congee
When preparing congee, it is recommended to use ceramic or stainless steel pots with higher stability, and avoid using plastic or aluminum utensils that are prone to oxidation.
Choosing the right rice for congee
Rice is indispensable for cooking congee. Commonly used rice varieties for congee include white rice, glutinous rice, millet, barley, and brown rice. When purchasing rice, it is important to carefully discern and buy high-quality rice.
Using hot water or cold water to cook congee
Most people are accustomed to using cold water to cook congee, but in fact, boiling water is the most suitable. Cooking congee with cold water can cause the bottom of the pot to become muddy, while using boiling water will not have this problem, and more chlorine will evaporate from boiling water.