Rice Porridge or Congee

Anyone who has traveled in China, or in any part of Asia for that matter, will recognize this dish. Congee or jook is generally served as the morning meal and is believed to be an important restorative. Big bowls are dished up to which all manner of condiments may be added at the diner’s discretion, including soy sauce, chopped green onions, cilantro leaves, finely shredded cabbage, crisp fried slices of garlic or shallot, roasted peanuts, Chinese (Sichuan) pickled vegetables, pickled ginge