Goji and Red Date Congee
枸杞红枣粥 · TCM Wellness · Vegetarian · Comfort · Warm
ComfortingWarming
25 min
Easy
~260 kcal · 7g protein
Ingredients
- jasmine rice — 1/2 cup (100 g), rinsed
- red dates (jujubes) — 8 pieces, pitted and halved
- goji berries — 1 tbsp, rinsed
- water — 6 cups (1.5 L)
- rock sugar — 1 small piece, optional
Steps (beginner-friendly)
- Rinse the rice until the water runs clear, then combine it with 6 cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Add the pitted red dates, lower the heat to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes so the bottom does not stick.
Tip: In Chinese home cooking this congee is a classic breakfast during cold months — the dates make it naturally sweet, so many families skip the sugar entirely.
Tradition note: Red dates and goji are the classic 'warming' breakfast pairing (温补) in Chinese households during the cold months — a breakfast tradition more than a recipe.
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