Christmas leftovers can create a fusion dish combining Western and Eastern flavours.

Got leftover turkey from Turkey roast with turkey rice stuffing. Bought a packet mixed vegetables. Congee is Chinese rice porridge, which can be served plain, sweet, or savoury. It is actually pretty bland in flavour. When additional ingredients such as meat, fish, and flavourings are added while preparing the congee, which is most often served as a meal on its own, especially for persons who are ill.

To me, it is the ultimate Chinese comfort food, that my grandma and mom cook for us. Their recipes have fish brain, intestines’, Chinese donut stick pieces, minced pork, bean sprouts, and at times fried tofu. Congee is served as breakfast, lunch and dinner in Malaysia. Even when I don’t feel sick, I still find it as satisfying meal. 

My congee is cooked in a rice cooker, has turkey bone, and chicken stock, turkey meat and garnished with some cooked cold turkey meat, mixed salad, and chili sauce. I’ve got to have chili in it; that’s me, a chili lover. It’s comforting, delicious, and flavourful congee. Let’s cook!!!!

Ingredients

2-3 c cooked rice
1” fresh ginger
1 1/2 Tbs minced garlic
1/2 Tbs oyster sauce
1/2 Tbs soy sauce
2 drumsticks plus 4 c water; 1” ginger, salt, black peppercorns, and 4 garlic cloves to make stock
a handful of bits and pieces of turkey bone and skins plus 4 c water; 1” ginger, salt, black peppercorns, and 4 garlic cloves to make stock
1/4 Tsp salt, and extra
1 Tsp pepper, and extra
water, if necessary

Garnish

cold cooked turkey meat
mixed salad
chili sauce (OPT)

Method

In the rice cooker, add cooked rice, two stocks (2 c each stock first), fresh ginger, garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce to pot and turn on rice cooker. Uncovered and stir occasionally for 45 minutes; to make sure it’s not sticking to the bottom or until congee is smooth and no longer grainy and broken. Add more chicken and turkey stock and water if necessary. When congee is nearly done; has the right consistency: creamy. Add salt and pepper, let it simmer until for about 5-7 minutes.

When congee is done, change setting to ‘keep warm’. Add turkey meat to rice cooker. Stir and cover for 5-10 minutes or until turkey meat is warm up. Check the seasoning. If needed add a bit more salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with mixed salad, some cold cooked turkey meat put on top of mixed salad. Then drizzle chilli sauce over the top of turkey meat and salad. Enjoy West and Eastern flavours congee with a cup of OO long tea or a nice cold beer!!!

Note: You can use any ingredients of your choice. Or you can add the ingredients like my grandma and mom does as mention above. You might want it more liquid, so add more stock or water.

You can omit XO chili sauce. You can put fried shallots, Chinese doughnut, or fried tofu. Or create your own flavour ingredients. You can use vegetables, or box ready stock or cube packet stocks.

https://helenscchin.com/2024/12/26/turkey-congee-with-salad-and-chili-sauce/

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