Rice Congee With Condiments

Such is life.Nothing is assured and nothing is guaranteed as well. Why go so far? What about marriage, are you asking me? Oh-boy! Tell me about it. Falling is love, maybe is not super easy, but quite possible. Thereafter once we tie the knot or slip the ring on each other? Reality sets in and the discoveries we actually find out? The discoveries to compatibility which can throw us off-guard, specifically food compatibility His and ours. My other half-half? Well, I sort of knew about his profound love for Indian food. But I didn't really find out if he will be okay to other kinda food. Take for example, rice congee/rice porridge which by far is the food in Chinese households compared to us Indians. I on the other hand, I simply adore Chinese food and porridge is the love of my food love too. But my man? Mmmmm! He won't get close. He just won't. What more pretty much can I say? Force him, literally? I tried, not forcing though. A small time talk every now and then, yet, it didn't work and I gave up. No point. I suppose sometimes this thing to forcing or sweet talking does not really work? I know. So, the alternative for me is making rice congee for my own eating pleasure when he is away. Settled. Rice congee can be made in rice cooker, slow cooker or over the stove. Of course, some salt goes in and plain rice congee lemme tell you is quite bland. So, we should think of side dishes to go with it. As many side dishes as you wish, depending on if time is on your side, otherwise, like for this rice congee, jiffy stir Fried Beans Garlic, Fried Salted Fish and Chilli Tauchu/Fermented Black Beans Bilis/Anchovies. Our go to Malaysian Style Rice Congee With Condiments. 

Ingredients

For congee

1/2 cup rice - wash and drain off the water
1 inch ginger - slice into thin stripes (for garnishing)

4 cups water (or as needed depending on how diluted you prefer)

Salt for taste

Spring onion (as needed) - slice thinly (for garnishing)

For condiments
Stir Fried Beans Garlic

200g French beans - remove strings and slice thinly

6 garlic - crush

2 tbsp oil

Salt for taste

Fried Salted Fish
Just fry a few pieces of sliced salted fish

For Chilli Tauchu Bilis/Anchovies 

200g anchovies - soak, rinse and snip into small pieces

1 red chilli & 1 green chilli - slice thinly

1 medium size red onion - chop

1 tbsp taucu (fermented soy bean paste)

1 stalk spring onion - chop

Oil as needed

Sugar and salt to taste
Lime wedges - to be squeezed on top

Method:

For the congee

Add all ingredients except spring onion into a pot.

Simmer and cook over low heat until rice is softened (as soft as you like).  

Keep simmering over low heat or simmer again before tucking in, 

For stir fried beans garlic

Heat oil and when heated, saute garlic. 

Add beans and season with salt. 

Stir to cook and soften.

Remove from heat.

For chilli tauchu bilis/anchovies
When oil is heated, fry anchovies till crispy. R
Remove and keep aside. 

Leave about 1 tbsp of oil in the same pan. 

Add chillies, onion and tauchu.
Saute. 

Add sugar, salt and spring onion.
Stir to combine and remove from heat.
Serve with lime wedges. 

To serve

Into a serving bowl, add rice congee and top with spring onion and ginger.  

Serve with the condiments and lime wedges (to be squeezed over anchovies/ikan bilis).