I’ve been sneezing nonstop today. I’ve commented before that Melbourne has finally entered Spring and we can put Winter and its chills behind us. So then why are the nights still so cold that it feels like mid Winter all over again? I should have listened to my gut instincts and worn a thick jacket, since it IS the Melbourne weather we’re talking about here. It’s as unpredictable and forever changing as the tempers of a woman having a serious case of PMS. I’m not exaggerating.
As a result of my ignorance and optimism, I think I have come down with a cold. Hopefully it won’t be a serious enough one to be bed ridden. I was even hoping to make some ice cream to celebrate the warmer Spring weather but looks like that might have to be on hold for a little while. Instead, I will make something more comforting with the strawberries, perhaps a pie of some sort or pudding. That sounds welcoming.
The last time Yuye was sick, I made him congee, this time it’s his turn to make it for me. It’s a very fast and super simple dish which is easy to swallow and comforting for the sick soul. It’s also a dish we both grew up eating as our mothers would make them for us. The last thing you’d want to eat with a sore throat is something hard to swallow and congee is the easiest food to swallow.
We usually use left over rice to make this version, but it’s very simple to make from scratch, especially if you have a pressure cooker. In fact, making it in the pressure cooker will make the rice a lot more sticky and congee like. We didn’t have the patience to make it there unfortunately so it was cooked down on the stove with water. It was still very nice but lacked a bit of stickiness.
Why am I still blogging while I’m sick I hear you ask? Well…that’s a tough question. Because I’m a food blogger…I guess. Hope you can make this recipe just because you feel like it and not sick like I am. 
Prawn Congee
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
• 8 prawns (thaw if frozen), cut into chunks
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 tbsp chicken powder
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine
• 2 tbsp frozen peas (optional – I usually put it in but not this time)
• 2 leaves chinese cabbage, sliced
• 2 tbsp dried shrimp, rehydrated
• 1 spring onion, thinly sliced
• 20g ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp sesame oil, coriander or spring onion to garnish
Instructions
1. Heat water in pan at medium heat (same amount as rice) and add in ginger, dried shrimp, chicken powder and Shaoxing rice wine.
2. Add in rice, breaking up any large chunks. Cook for 5min.
3. Add in chinese cabbage and cook for another few minutes or until soft.
4. In the mean time, cook prawns in a frying pan on both sides until changed colour. Remove from heat.
5. Add peas, prawns and sliced spring onion to pot as well as sesame oil and salt to taste. Cook for further 1-2 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and garnish with coriander/spring onion, and drizzle some more sesame oil on top. Serve hot.
Note: For a thinner consistency, add some extra water. You can also substitute prawns for chicken or omitted for a vegetarian option.
Question time: What do you normally eat or cook when you or someone in the house is sick?
16 comments… add one
Rosa September 14, 2012, 6:24 pm
Get well soon, dear! Aaaahhh, we foodblogger are unstoppable… ;-P
A great speciality! So comforting.
Cheers,
Rosa
Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake September 15, 2012, 9:48 am
Thanks Rosa! Yes we are invincible.
Libby @ theveryveryhungrycaterpillar.com September 14, 2012, 7:05 pm
Get well soon, Jenny! x
Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake September 15, 2012, 12:10 am
Thanks Libby!
ATasteOfMadness September 14, 2012, 11:26 pm
Oh no! I hope you feel better soon. Hope the congee made you feel better, it certainly looks delicious.
The Squishy Monster September 15, 2012, 12:20 am
I hope you feel 100% very soon, my friend! I love how you prepared this congee–all the right ingredients to help you on your way =D
ChopinandMysaucepan September 15, 2012, 8:36 am
Dear Jenny,
I never thought of prawn congee coz my favourite is chicken congee whether I am ill or otherwise.
Your instructions do not mention when the prawns and dried shrimp are added though? I’d imagine adding the prawns towards the end since they cook quite fast.
Get well soon.
Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake September 15, 2012, 9:49 am
Oh no! I totally missed the most important part! Silly me. Thanks for picking it up.
I’ve changed it now!
Carolyn Jung September 15, 2012, 9:20 am
If that doesn’t cure you, nothing will. LOL
Ah, congee is always the perfect treatment when you’re ailing. Hope you feel better soon!
yummychunklet September 15, 2012, 12:44 pm
I agree! I love prawns!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella September 15, 2012, 3:20 pm
Oh no! I hope you get better soon! I agree, nothing is better than congee or won ton noodle soup when you’re sick!
kitchenriffs September 17, 2012, 2:50 am
Get well soon! And do consider taking a break when you’re sick – we all certainly understand, and will be here waiting when you return. But blogging is kinda addictive, so it’s hard not to, isn’t it? Sometimes I’m a slave to my own schedule – a happy slave, though! Congee is good stuff. I’ve never made it, and it’s so incredibly easy – something I really should do.
Baker Street September 17, 2012, 2:57 pm
Aww… Hope you feel better soon! I’d be happy to eat this prawn congee any day: sick or not.
nipponnin September 18, 2012, 8:47 am
I’m sorry to hear that you are sick. This sounds sooo comforting to have when you’re down. Let’s see if I print this recipe and leave on his desk, will he make it for me? Because I”m sick too. I like all your photos! Very very nice!
Nami | Just One Cookbook September 18, 2012, 4:16 pm
I remember you were saying you are getting sick when I was sick. I finally got over from this long bad cold this past weekend. I’m so scared to go into fall/winter season… kids get cold and I get cold. >_< Congee is PERFECT. Get well soon!
Jenn and Seth September 19, 2012, 12:21 am
hope you feel better soon! this sounds so delicious and comforting, perfect for the fall weather here!