Simple Shrimp Congee Recipe

Warm, nourishing bowls are a favorite meal for so many occasions. Whether you need a pick-me-up in the form of a hearty dish or the cooler weather calls for a hot dinner, you can't go wrong with this simple shrimp congee recipe. Food Republic recipe developer A.J. Forget comments, "Congee is such a simple, comforting dish. All it takes is a few ingredients and a little time, and you have yourself a delicious pot of soul-nourishing porridge."

Congee is an essential component of many diets in Eastern Asia, and the rice porridge is cheap, versatile, and endlessly customizable. Forget notes that his recipe veers away from some traditional styles made with chicken, but he adds that "the sweet shrimp and the salty porridge make a perfect pair." Although you might not gravitate toward this meal during a heat wave, "This dish is perfect for cool weather, with the long simmer filling the house full of wonderful aromas," Forget describes. Whatever we have going on, we could all do with a heartwarming bowl of goodness.

For this recipe, you'll need medium-sized, shell-on shrimp. Don't get shelled shrimp as a shortcut — the shells infuse a ton of flavor into the chicken broth used to cook the congee. Next, mince some fresh ginger and garlic, and thinly slice a few scallions. Separate the scallion greens from the whites, as you'll be using them in different parts of the recipe. Finally, long grain rice is essential, as is a splash of sesame oil for a warm and nutty aroma.  

Start by shelling the shrimp — although tedious, this step is necessary to give the dish its umami essence. Set the shells aside for the broth, then chop the actual shrimp into 1-inch pieces. To start the broth, pour the chicken broth into a large pot and bring it to a boil. When it starts to bubble, toss in the shrimp shells and simmer the contents for 5 minutes. Once the liquid has absorbed the shrimp flavor, strain and discard the shells.

Pour the rice into a bowl and cover it with water. Use a spoon to stir it a dozen times, then drain off the water. This step is important to create an optimal texture. "When it comes to congee, it is all about releasing the right amount of starch into the pot to make a thick porridge," Forget explains. "Too little and you have a soup. Too much and it turns gummy. By covering the rice with water and giving it a few stirs before straining, we wash off some of the excess starch, ensuring a perfect pot of porridge with a wonderful, thick consistency."

Toss the minced ginger, garlic, and sliced scallion whites into the broth. Add the soaked rice and bring the contents to a boil. When it starts to bubble, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Simmer the rice for 45-60 minutes, stirring it occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pot.

When the congee reaches a thick, porridge-like consistency, mix in the chopped shrimp. Cook the congee for another 3-5 minutes until the shrimp is cooked through. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the sesame oil. Lastly, garnish the shrimp congee with scallion greens and serve it hot.

You can serve this hearty dish as a one-pot meal, or Forget notes that it pairs great with vegetable dishes on the side. "Alternatively, if you want to get really creative, congee can serve as a risotto-like side to a meat entree. Shrimp congee with a nice piece of beef is an excellent pairing," he says. As for leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop on low heat.