Cooking porridge may seem simple, just heat water and rice, but there are also many details to consider in order to cook a nutritious and delicious bowl of fragrant porridge. What is the correct procedure for cooking porridge?
Soaking
The rice should be soaked for a period of time to allow the grains to expand. This can save cooking time and improve the texture of the porridge. Many people like to soak the rice overnight, but this is actually not recommended as it can easily breed bacteria and cause loss of nutrients, especially in the summer. The optimal soaking time for rice is about 3 hours.
Boiling Water
Authentic porridge shops use boiling water to cook porridge, which prevents the bottom of the pot from becoming burnt and also saves time compared to using cold water. It is well known that tap water is disinfected with chlorine compounds, and using boiling water can help evaporate more chlorine.
Mastering the Cooking Time
Start by boiling the water over high heat, then add the rice and continue boiling over high heat. After that, reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Boil the water with high heat and simmer the porridge with low heat. Additionally, different cooking times can be used to make different types of porridge. For example, simmering with low heat with the addition of ginkgo nuts and lily bulbs can help clear heat and reduce inflammation, while boiling with high heat can create a meat porridge with low oil and fat, original flavor, and refreshing taste.
Stirring
Stirring is crucial when cooking porridge. The technique for stirring is to stir a few times when the boiling water is added to the pot, then cover the pot and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes before stirring continuously. Remember to stir in one direction. Stirring the porridge frequently during cooking can prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot and make the grains fuller and stickier.
Adding Oil and Salt
When cooking savory porridge, it is best to mix the washed rice with a little salt and oil. Salt can make the porridge cook faster and become smooth, while oil can help soften the rice grains. Adding only salt will result in a milder flavor, while adding oil will make the porridge more savory and sweet.
Separate Cooking for Base and Additional Ingredients
The additional ingredients and porridge should be cooked separately, and then simmered together for a short time, preferably no more than 5 minutes. This way, the resulting porridge will be clear and not murky, and each ingredient's flavor will come out without blending together. This is especially important when the additional ingredients are meat or seafood. Common additional ingredients include preserved eggs, lean meat, fish slices, and shrimp.
Other Tips for Cooking Porridge
Using boiling water can prevent the porridge from sticking to the pot. Adding a few drops of oil on the water surface can prevent overflowing. Porridge for children or the elderly can be cooked for a longer time. Porridge cooked in ceramic or clay pots tends to be more fragrant and rich.
