Brown Rice Congee (Jook) for One

The first time I had this satisfying and filling breakfast, it was as a late night snack in a San Francisco restaurant. I had it again when I was hiking in China, and that’s where I became a real fan. The nice thing about this savory meal is that it’s never the same twice, and you can make a big batch to reheat and eat all week, if time is a problem.

4 or 5 dried shiitake mushrooms (or fresh)

Slosh of vegetable oil

1 garlic clove, thinly sliced

3 thin slices of fresh ginger,

¼ cup long-grain brown rice, rinsed and drained

2 ¼ cups water or veggie stock

¼ cup thinly sliced greens (bok choy, spinach, kale, fennel, broccoli, etc.)

Salt or soy sauce

Pepper to taste

Garnish Ideas:

Sliced scallions

Fried shallots

Chopped fresh cilantro

Parsley

Roasted or fried peanuts

Toasted sesame seeds

Pickled ginger

Soy sauce, sesame oil, chili paste

1. If you’re using dried shiitake mushrooms, set them in a small bowl of water to soak for 20 minutes or so. You can discard the water, or toss it in with the rice, if you like. Remove the woody stems from the mushrooms and slice them thinly.
2. In a heavy pot, sauté the garlic, ginger and mushrooms in the oil until the mushrooms are droopy.
3. Add the rice and water or stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking. Cook for about an hour.
4. Add in the greens and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes, or until it is like oatmeal or porridge. Some people like it soupy, some people like it pudding-y. It’s up to you. If you simmer too long and need it thinner, add boiling water.
5. Season to taste with salt or soy sauce and pepper. Serve hot with the garnishes of your choice.

Doubles well. 

Rice Pudding for One

I don’t often make too much rice, but this is a great way to use it up, should there be any lingering around in the refrigerator. It’s also an excellent excuse for making too much rice.

½ cup vegan milk (I like almond, but any would do)

½ TBLSP agave or maple syrup

½ cup cooked rice (white or brown)

Dash of cinnamon

Slosh of vanilla extract

1 TBLSP raisins or other dried fruit

Cranberry sauce or jam to top

1. In a small pot, heat the milk to a simmer.
2. Add in the agave or maple syrup and mix in well. Then add the rice and continue to stir until it’s spread out nicely
3. Add in the cinnamon, vanilla, and raisins and distribute well with the vehicle that is your spoon. Let it simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice mixture is luxurious and thick. You can stir it vigorously if you’re so inclined, because you don’t mind breaking the rice kernels for this recipe. Be careful not to do this on high heat or it will froth all up and all over the stove. (Ask me how I know.)

Serve hot, topped with cranberry sauce or jam, or just a bit more cinnamon, whatever pleases you.

Variations:

• Stir chocolate chips into the hot pudding just before you take it off the heat for chocolate rice pudding.
• Try chopped dried apricots instead of (or as well as) raisins for a taste of sunshine.
• Top with granola for a crunch with your pudding.