RECIPE: HOW TO DO GINGER CHICKEN CONGEE (RICE PORRIDGE) WITH KIMCHI

Congee is a type of rice porridge enjoyed, often for breakfast, in many Asian countries. Here, Georgina Hayden has created a savoury version and topped it with chicken, kimchi, pickled ginger and greens. It’s a really nourishing dish that could be served as a starter or main at a dinner party.

RECIPE GINGER CHICKEN CONGEE (RICE PORRIDGE) WITH KIMCHI

Dificulty: Medium
Portion: Serves 6-8
Time: Hands-on time 25 min, simmering time 1 hour 45 min, plus up to 2 days pickling

Ingredients

1.4kg free-range whole chicken
2 onions, roughly chopped
2 carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery sticks, roughly chopped
A few peppercorns
350g long grain rice
150g cavolo nero or kale, sliced
2 tbsp rice vinegar
80g kimchi (from Tesco, Ocado and online), chopped
4 spring onions, finely sliced
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Chilli oil (optional)
125g fresh ginger
120ml rice vinegar
80g granulated sugar
1 tsp fine sea salt
Mandoline or vegetable peeler; small, clean glass jar

Step by step preparation

Get a 3cm piece of ginger aside for the chicken poaching stock. For the pickled ginger, peel and finely slice the rest lengthways with a mandoline or veg peeler. Pack the slices into the jar. Pour the vinegar into a small pan, then add the sugar, salt and 2 tbsp cold water. Bring to the boil, then immediately pour over the ginger. Seal, leave to cool, then chill (see Make Ahead).
Put the chicken in a large pan or flameproof casserole with a lid. Finely slice the 3cm piece of ginger and add to the pan with the onions, carrots, celery and peppercorns, then add cold water to cover. Put on a high heat and bring to the boil, then turn the heat to low. Cover with the lid and simmer gently for 1 hour, topping up the water if needed so the chicken is always covered.
Remove the chicken from the pan, put on a tray and cover with foil. (Check it’s ready by pushing a skewer into the thickest part of the thigh. If the juices run clear it’s cooked, if not, return it to the pan until cooked.) Strain the stock, then put it back into the pan (discard the veg). You’ll need around 3 litres of stock, so top up with boiling water if need be.
Rinse the rice in a sieve or colander until the water runs clear. Stir into the stock and bring to the boil over a high heat. As soon as it boils, reduce to a simmer and cook slowly for 45-60 minutes. Stir often until the rice is creamy, adding a splash more water if needed. It should be oozy. Put the cavolo nero/kale on top of the congee (don’t stir it in) for the final 10 minutes of the cooking time so it steams gently.
While the congee is cooking, strip all the chicken meat from the carcass and shred.
Transfer the steamed greens to a warm bowl. Season the congee with salt to taste, then stir in the 2 tbsp vinegar. Serve topped with the shredded chicken, kimchi, spring onions, sesame seeds, pickled ginger, steamed greens and a little chilli oil, if you like.

RECIPE: HOW TO DO GINGER CHICKEN CONGEE (RICE PORRIDGE) WITH KIMCHI

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