Porridge, which seems like the simplest of meals, is just rice boiled with water. However, achieving a texture that is soft, smooth, and creamy requires some skill. The following 6 methods will help you cook your porridge to perfection.
1. Freeze the rice overnight before cooking. Wash and dampen the rice, then freeze it in the freezer overnight. When you take it out to cook, the porridge will become thick in about ten minutes. You can freeze a large batch of rice in advance and just take out the amount you need when you're ready to make porridge.
2. Use leftover rice cleverly. Using day-old rice to make porridge is quick and effective! The method is to rinse the leftover rice with cold water, then add enough water, a few drops of oil (this helps with emulsification), and simmer over medium-high heat for about ten minutes until it becomes thick.
3. Place a porcelain spoon in the clay pot. You must use a clay pot to make porridge. After washing the rice, and before turning on the heat, place a porcelain spoon in the clay pot. During the cooking process, the spoon will vibrate at the bottom of the pot, making the porridge smoother and preventing it from sticking to the bottom.
4. Add oats for an incredibly smooth texture. Adding one or two spoonfuls of oatmeal when cooking porridge will make it exceptionally creamy. After cooking, the oatmeal will be almost invisible as it will have completely dissolved into the porridge. This also works for multi-grain porridge.
5. Add glutinous rice and a little cooking oil. Wash a mixture of Northeast rice, glutinous rice, and sticky rice in a 2:1:1 ratio. Toss with oil and a little salt, and let it sit until the water comes to a boil before adding it to the pot to simmer slowly. You can also add starchy ingredients like yams, sweet potatoes, millet, or cornmeal to increase the gelatinization process, making the porridge even creamier.
6. Stir the porridge continuously. Soak the rice for at least 40 minutes. Once the water is boiling, add the rice. After it comes back to a boil, turn the heat down to medium and cook until the liquid turns white and thin. Then, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil and stir continuously with a spoon until the porridge becomes thick. This method results in a porridge with a fine, smooth texture and no graininess.