THE FRUGAL CHINESE DIET: CONGEE

Rice Congee is one of the basic food for the Chinese common man. As such it is an invaluable resource for basic survival. Rice is cheap, nutritious and keeps well. The survival larder should always have a few big bags of rice, packaged so as to keep dry and away from vermin.

Congee is rice porridge, spiced up with a bit of meat for the savory, sugar or honey for the sweet, or whatever else you might have. It is warm, nourishing, and is a good way to feed a lot of people through hard times when you have very little.

TO MAKE CONGEE
In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of chicken or other stock, or water to a simmer. Add one cup dry white rice. Bring back to a simmer, and simmer for 2 or 3 hours, stirring occasionally so it does not stick to the pan. By then the congee should be reduced to a nice thin porridge. Add a bit of cooked meat and or vegetable if you have it. This will make enough congee for on good meal for 3 or 4 people.

This simple dish feeds a lot of the world's people. Plain rice congee is not a fully balanced diet, but you can live a long time on it without harm. With a bit of meat to chew on, and a little vegetable of some sort, congee is a balanced diet, and will keep you strong.

We add some oats to it to make it thick and creamy. The oats does make it healthier too, it helps to reduce one's cholesterol.