Monday, February 15, 2010

Rainbow Abundance Congee 七彩有餘粥


Contrary to what most people think, Chinese New Year is a very low key affair at the tummies. No big fanfares, no big banquets and nothing festive, in fact it is often a lot quieter. It is one of those days that make me a little melancholy; missing my family, missing my old friends and just missing my good old childhood. This is something we normally eat on Chinese new year day, a perfectly light and clean tasting dish post excessive feasting and drinking the previous day before! I have decided to give it a rather corny name in Chinese just for this very special day, otherwise it is just fish and vegetables congee :)
P.S A wonderful way to use up leftover rice and bits and pieces of vegetables you have in the fridge.



serves 4
you'll need;
3 cups of leftover rice or 1.5 cups of rice, rinsed
2.5l of chicken stock
2 barramundi fillets or other firm white fish
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1 head of broccoli, cut into small florets, stem cut into little pieces
2 heads of bokchoy, cut sliced finely
5 wood fungus, soaked and sliced

for the garnish;
a knob of ginger, finely shredded
a handful of rice noodles, deep fried
spring onions, chopped
coriander leaves
fried shallots


Vegetables diced and sliced.


Barramundi sliced and marinated with a little sesame oil, white pepper, rice wine, and dash of soy.


Have the garnishes ready.


Cook rice with stock for about an hour or til you get a mushy mess then gradually add in the vegetables.


Finally the fish slices, be careful not to overcook the fish.


Ladle some porridge into a bowl, garnish with toppings. I made a simple chilli, garlic and lime sauce to go with it.

37 comments:

  1. This dish is just perfect! I absolutly love all your photos! Hope you enjoyed your day!

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  2. loving the food! that would be so good for a winter's day!

    we didnt get to much on CNY since i am vietnamese ....we just ate roast duck and pork and that was it. and for valentines..nothing much either lol


    pretty hot in brissie now

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  3. I want a bowl of this delicious congee right now! I love the crispy noodles as topping!

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  4. Happy Chinese New Year! A wonderful light dish to enjoy. As always, you share a great recipe wth all of your foodie friends.

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  5. I love this deluxe congee! Never thought of using leftover rice for congee before! The "corny name" is actually very cute!

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  6. I adore congee, this is simply superp with the fish and all the toppings!

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  7. Wow this dish looks so healthy and delicious! Which is what I need right now... :)

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  8. This dish is almost mouth watering...

    I've personally never tried Congee but I've seen it made on TV many times. This is on my 'To Make' list now :D

    Your blog has alot to offer, I might just have to follow you now:p

    Would be great if you did the same :D

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  9. I love fish n this looks right up my alley!!! scrumptious!!

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  10. Lyndsey,
    Thank you very much! :)

    Ann,
    Thank you :) We had some roast duck and crispy pork at a restaurant too!
    Thank god it has been quite cool here for the last few days :)

    Tricia,
    Thank you very much!

    Velva,
    Thank you very much! :) Likewise!

    KL girl in MELB,
    Haha thank you! It takes half the time using cooked rice :)

    rosa,
    Thank you :)

    Sook,
    Thank you! It is very healthy indeed :)

    Brisbane Baker ,
    Thank you! you have to try it then. Will do the same!

    zurin,
    Thank you very much! :)

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  11. What a healthy and delicious meal this is! I will have to try this since the boys love congee strangely ;)

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  12. Fish slice congee is my fave but I've never thought about adding veg to the mix.

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  13. HT, Happy Chinese New Year!
    I love your dishes, so healthy and light!
    absolutelly great pics as always. I think the greatest pics around the blogosphere!
    Hope you have a great Sunday!
    Betty xx

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  14. This congee makes people happy!!

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  15. This Congee dish looks awesome...pics are really beautiful..

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  16. Harriet from CarltonFebruary 15, 2010 at 9:31 PM

    I love fish congee, this is wonderful! Love the toppings you put on it!

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  17. That is a great way of using up leftovers! Looks really nourishing!

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  18. love to eat,
    Thanks! Glad to know your boys love it too!

    Mr. Noodles,
    Oh I was love adding vegetables to make it more a complete meal!

    Betty,
    Oh thank you very much! :) xxx

    Kenny,
    Haha I hope so :)

    Jagruti ,
    Thank you very much!

    Harriet,
    Thank you!

    CW,
    Thank you! It is another great way of using left over other than fried rice which is also my favourite!

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  19. Happy Lunar New Year to you & your family. I love this one dish meal, simple and yummy!
    Time has changed, this year we had our reunion dinner at a Brazilian restaurant instead.

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  20. Very auspicious for CNY, fish ..... 'lin, lin yau yue! Wish you and your family a blessed and prosperous New Year!

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  21. This sounds so yummy! Love the topping esp. the fried shallots! Wish I could find barramundi around here!

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  22. une assiette très savoureuse comme d'habitude
    bonne soirée

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  23. Woww. .. this bowl is full of goodness!!

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  24. Oh no. Now you've made me homesick!!! I've never made congee with already cooked rice before. Another hungry tummie tip to try!! As for now, I'm off to look at old photos and have a sniffle! (ps. I miss Bak Kwa!!!)

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  25. Mmmm...this looks so delicious and fresh. I really miss congee (especially with yu char kway(sp??). Great idea for using the leftover rice too! (Unfortunately everyone else in the family not really big fan of congee *sigh*)

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  26. Hey buddy, what a great dish using leftovers! Nothing like the congee I had before. See you soon mate!

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  27. I am ready for a bowl of goodness like this after being a glutton for the last few days!

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  28. I like a dish like this - congee with lots and lots of veggies :)

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  29. Looks really great!I have been eating so much for the last few days, this is what I need for the next one week! :)

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  30. Anncoo,
    Thank you very much! :)
    I hope the dinner was as good as the traditional home cooked dinner :)

    Cheah,
    Thank you! you too!

    5 Star Foodie ,
    Thank you, I love fried shallots in everything lol. Any firm white fish is great with this.

    Fimère,
    Merci!!! :)

    mycookinghut ,
    Haha thank you!

    Temasek ,
    Haha what did you eat on CNY? I'll be making bakwa soon!

    shaz ,
    Thanks! Some yew ja kwei would be perfect! Just have to make enough for yourself then :)

    fitzboy,
    Thanks buddy! We often add vegetables in it, just a family tradition.

    LMH,
    Haha why do we always eat so much during the festive holidays? ;)

    tigerfish,
    thank you very much!

    shanshan,
    Thank you, this is a perfect detox food!

    Bo,
    Thank you very much!

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  31. This is perfect after a big night out too :) I love the name given to the dish!

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  32. Yummy! Love congee, and this is so healthy! :-)
    Gong xi Gong xi Gong xi fa cai...nien nien you yue!

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  33. What an auspicious looking dish for CNY.

    Happy New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai!! :)

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  34. Yasmin,
    Haha indeed! :)

    Rita,
    Thank you! To you too!

    noobcook,
    Haha the most auspicious dish we had so far :)
    Gong xi fa cai!

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  35. Lovely dish! Happy Chinese New Year to ya!

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