Super Simple Fridge-Raiding Vegetable Porridge
So Easy! Perfect for Baby Food or Healthy Meals – Simple Vegetable Porridge Using Fridge Staples
After a recent endoscopy, I craved a comforting porridge that would be gentle on my stomach and intestines. I decided to use up some leftover onion and zucchini from my fridge to make this delightful vegetable porridge! ♡ Today’s ‘Fridge Raid Porridge’! Create an easy baby meal, a meal for the elderly, or a soft food option for those with swallowing difficulties using ingredients you already have at home!
Main Ingredients
- Rice: 1 cup (approx. 200g)
- Small Onion: 1 (approx. 80g)
- Zucchini: 1/2 (approx. 100g)
Seasoning & Others
- Soy sauce: A little
- Salt: A little
- Perilla oil (or sesame oil): 3-4 Tbsp
- Soy sauce: A little
- Salt: A little
- Perilla oil (or sesame oil): 3-4 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the rice thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. Soak the rinsed rice in water for about 30 minutes. **Tip!** Rice expands about 3-5 times when cooked into porridge. If you want to make about 1-2 servings, 1 cup of rice is plenty!
Step 2
While the rice is soaking, peel and finely mince the onion. If it’s too coarsely chopped, the texture won’t be as pleasant when cooked, so aim for the smallest dice possible.
Step 3
Wash the zucchini, remove the seeds, and mince it finely, just like the onion. **Tip!** I removed the zucchini seeds by turning the zucchini and mincing the remaining part. You can also mince it with the seeds if you prefer. Don’t discard the zucchini peel or seeds you removed; they’re great for adding to soups later!
Step 4
Having the minced onion and zucchini prepared in separate bowls beforehand will make the porridge-cooking process much smoother.
Step 5
Here’s how the rice looks after soaking for 30 minutes. You can see that the grains are whiter and plumper than before soaking.
Step 6
Drain the soaked rice thoroughly using a sieve. It’s important to drain the water completely so the rice doesn’t stick when you stir-fry it.
Step 7
Now, heat a pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of perilla oil (or sesame oil). Add the drained rice and begin stir-frying. **Tip!** Use a wooden spatula when stirring the porridge; it helps prevent the rice grains from breaking down too much, resulting in a smoother texture and reducing the risk of splashing hot porridge.
Step 8
The process of stir-frying the rice until each grain is coated with oil is crucial. This step helps to maintain the texture of the rice grains in the finished porridge, giving them a pleasant ‘pop’ rather than turning into a mush. Be sure to stir-fry thoroughly to coat the grains, preventing the porridge from becoming completely shapeless.
Step 9
Once the rice grains start to look slightly translucent and release a nutty aroma, push the rice to one side of the pot. Add the minced onion and zucchini to the cleared space and stir-fry them together. **Tip!** Setting aside 1-2 tablespoons of the sautéed vegetables will allow you to use them as a beautiful garnish on top of the finished porridge, enhancing its visual appeal.
Step 10
Mix all the ingredients together – the rice and vegetables – and continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. This step helps to bring out the sweetness of the vegetables and the nuttiness of the rice.
Step 11
After stir-frying everything, pour in water, approximately 10 to 20 times the amount of rice. **Tip!** Adding water gradually while the porridge is cooking can cause the rice to clump. Therefore, it’s best to add a generous amount of water at the beginning to ensure the porridge cooks up smooth and creamy.
Step 12
Cook the porridge, stirring constantly with a wooden spatula to prevent it from sticking to the bottom, until the water has reduced by about half. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface for a cleaner taste. **Tip!** A common mistake is leaving the spatula submerged in the porridge while it’s cooking. When you’re not stirring, remove the spatula from the pot.
Step 13
When the rice grains have softened and expanded, and the liquid has reduced significantly, you’ll see large bubbles popping on the surface of the porridge. Lower the heat and let it simmer for a little longer. This final simmer makes the porridge even smoother and richer in flavor.
Step 14
Ladle the finished vegetable porridge into bowls. Garnish with the reserved sautéed vegetables, sesame seeds, and a pinch of pepper, if desired. Adjust seasoning with a little salt or soy sauce to your taste. Enjoy your smooth and nutritious vegetable porridge!
