Originating in China, this simple and soothing dish is the kind of comfort food you turn to when you’re feeling under the weather, craving something cozy, or simply too tired to cook. The best part? You don’t need any fancy ingredients or a long list of spices. With just three humble pantry staples, you can have a warm, soul-satisfying bowl ready in just 15 minutes.

Keep it simple and comforting, or toss in your favourite vegetables for an extra boost of colour, flavour, and nutrition. Light yet wholesome, this nourishing bowl is packed with goodness and makes a wonderful choice for a comforting lunch or a light dinner. Sometimes, the simplest meals really are the most satisfying!

Ingredients: Serves 2

• ½ cup short-grain basmati rice, jeera rice, or jasmine rice, soaked for 1 hour
• ½ teaspoon finely chopped ginger
• 1 medium size onion, finely chopped
• Pumpkin, cut into small cubes
• ½ teaspoon butter
• Salt, to taste
• 2½ – 3 cups water, chicken stock, or vegetable stock

Method

You can make this congee in either a pressure cooker or a regular pot.

1. Heat the cooker or pot over medium heat. Add the butter once hot.
2. Add the chopped ginger and onion and sauté for about a minute, until fragrant and the onion begins to soften.
3. Drain the soaked rice and add it along with the pumpkin cubes. Season with salt and sauté everything together for a couple of minutes.
4. Pour in the water or your choice of chicken or vegetable stock. For a beautifully soft, porridge-like consistency, use a 1:5 rice-to-liquid ratio, ½ cup rice to about 2½ to 3 cups liquid.
5. Cook until creamy. If using a pressure cooker, cook for about 5 minutes. If using a regular pot, cover and simmer until the rice is completely soft and the congee reaches your preferred consistency. Add a little extra water or stock if needed.
6. Serve hot. Give the congee a good stir before serving. It should be creamy, silky, and comforting, with the pumpkin melting beautifully into the rice.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your pumpkin congee with some sautéed protein or vegetables of your choice and scallions to garnish. For a little kick, drizzle over a dash of hot chilli oil just before serving.

And there you have it- a bowl of instant, soothing comfort food. Dig in and enjoy!