Spiced Vegetable Congee with Garlic and Scallions
A warm rice porridge infused with garlic, scallions, and warming spices to comfort the body during cold weather. This asian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 70 minutes pairs jasmine rice, water, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup jasmine rice
- 5 cups water
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3, sliced scallions
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 small, julienned carrot
- 4, sliced shiitake mushrooms
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1/2 cup jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a large pot, combine rinsed rice with 5 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for 45 minutes until rice breaks down into a creamy porridge.
- Step 3: While porridge simmers, heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 4 sliced shiitake mushrooms. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and mushrooms soften.
- Step 4: Stir sautéed garlic, ginger, and mushrooms into the simmering porridge along with 1 small julienned carrot, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp white pepper, and 1 tbsp soy sauce.
- Step 5: Continue simmering for 10 more minutes until carrots soften and flavors meld.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 3 sliced scallions before serving warm to provide gentle nourishment during cold weather.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Vegetable Congee with Garlic and Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (10 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spiced Vegetable Congee with Garlic and Scallions?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep jasmine rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Vegetable Congee with Garlic and Scallions?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spiced Vegetable Congee with Garlic and Scallions for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Spiced Vegetable Congee with Garlic and Scallions vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
