After creating this recipe, I wanted to share it immediately because I cannot BELIEVE how full and satisfied I was after eating it. It was the perfect meal to end a long f4st and can be adapted endlessly for flavor and personal preference. It's not very pretty, but it makes up for it with taste!
This is also an extremely cheap recipe, especially if you don't need the protein in it (though I highly recommend it). For my grocery prices, it cost less than $.50 per serving plain and less than $1.50 with protein powder (I get mine in bulk at Costco).
Congee can have a porridge or soupy consistency depending on how much water you add and how long the rice is cooked. I highly recommend playing with sweet and savory congee recipes to figure out your preferences!
Without protein: >100cal per cup including added fruit
With protein: >220cal per cup, 26g protein
Pumpkin spice mix to taste
Orange extract (orange zest would be even better)
Sugar-free sweetener to taste
Optional: dried fruit to taste. I included about 4 dried cherries per 1 cup serving.
Optional: 1 scoop protein powder
Optional: sugar-free creamer, for a more pleasant mouth-feel
Combine rice, water, and dried fruit in large pot and bring to boil.
Lower to light simmer and stir often. You do NOT want it so hot that it sticks to the bottom. If you forget to stir, you may also get some rice stuck to the bottom. As long as it's not burnt, just scrape it off with a wooden utensil and it'll cook back into the rest of the congee.
Cook for approximately 1-1.5 hours for a creamy texture, a bit less if you want chewier rice.
Let cool and set for 10 mins and serve with sweetener to taste. Mix in protein powder after cooking if desired. Creamer can also be added at this time.
Below you'll find the general calorie breakdown of my personal bowl this morning. I'm nearly 2 hours post eating this and still feeling pretty satisfied.
I hope you enjoy! Please let me know if you try this and any constructive criticisms you may have!