Hidden gem in Charlotte’s Oakhurst neighborhood where the menu is as creative as the food
November 15, 2018
Recipe: Congee from Li’s Noodles
Chef and owner of Li’s Noodles Judy Zhang shares a recipe for congee, an Asian rice porridge. Li’s has a full congee menu at its Matthews restaurant, in the former Taste of Europe space.
Congee
Serves 4
Ingredients:
3¾ cups water
¾ cup white rice (to adjust recipe, use a 1:5 rice to water ratio)
To taste:
Soy sauce
Salt
Vegetable oil
(Everything below is optional but it’s highly recommended for a more tasty congee)
Ginger, minced
Cabbage, chopped
Cooked pork, cut into bite-sized strips
White pepper
Green onions, diced, for garnish
Directions:
1. Bring water to a rolling boil in a saucepan with a lid.
2. Wash your rice by running it through cold water with a fine mesh strainer. Then, season your rice with vegetable oil and salt to taste.
3. Add the rice to water, then reduce to a simmer. Leave the lid on halfway and stir occasionally, about 45 minutes or until creamy. Be sure that your stir reaches the bottom of your pot; you don’t want rice stuck down there.
4. Once the congee reaches the desired consistency, add the ginger, pork, cabbage, and soy sauce to taste. Increase the heat to high, stirring frequently.
5. Once the congee returns to a boiling, turn off the heat.
6. Season with white pepper to taste, then garnish with green onions.
