Tender Beef and Vegetable Porridge
Tender Beef and Vegetable Porridge: Excellent for Bronchitis, Perfect as a Convalescent Meal and Nourishing Broth!
During COVID-19, I experienced severe throat pain making swallowing agonizing, accompanied by coughing, phlegm, difficulty breathing, and a fever of 39°C. I made this nourishing beef and vegetable porridge as a restorative meal for when I was ill, and it helped tremendously. Since then, I’ve made it every season as a nourishing dish for my family’s well-being. This porridge is gentle on the stomach and packed with nutrients to help regain strength. Let’s make it together!
Porridge Ingredients
- 400g ground beef
- 1/2 pear (adds sweetness and tenderness)
- 300g radish (helps with digestion)
- 8 dried scallion roots (for flavor in the broth)
- 3 cups glutinous rice (approx. 450g, for a chewy and soft texture)
- A little soy sauce or fish sauce (for seasoning)
- A pinch of salt (for final seasoning)
- 5L water (for ample broth)
Seasoning (Optional)
- 1/2 tbsp rock salt (healthy salt that is easily absorbed by the body)
- 1/2 tbsp rock salt (healthy salt that is easily absorbed by the body)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash 3 cups of glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it in cold water for 30 minutes. After soaking, drain the rice in a colander to remove excess water. This step ensures the porridge will be extra soft and chewy.
Step 2
Next, we’ll toast the rice. Heat a pan over medium-low heat, add the drained glutinous rice, and stir continuously with a spatula. Toast the rice until it becomes lightly golden and releases a nutty aroma. Toasting the rice enhances the depth of flavor in the final porridge.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the aromatic broth. In a pot, combine 8 dried scallion roots and 5L of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Scallion roots add a subtle sweetness and fragrant aroma, elevating the porridge’s taste.
Step 4
Once the scallion roots have infused their flavor, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to obtain a clear liquid. Discard the used scallion roots. This clear broth will be the foundation of the porridge’s flavor.
Step 5
Time to prepare the vegetables. Take 300g of mild Jeju radish. Peel off the green skin and then julienne it into thin strips.
Step 6
Finely mince the julienned radish. Mincing the radish will make its texture much softer when cooked in the porridge, making it easier to eat.
Step 7
Peel, core, and then julienne 1/2 a pear. Similar to the radish, finely mince the julienned pear. The natural sweetness of the pear will add a lovely flavor to the porridge.
Step 8
Prepare 400g of fresh ground beef. It’s best to use lean cuts rather than those with excessive fat.
Step 9
Now, add the vegetables to the broth and bring it to a simmer. Add the minced radish and pear to the clear scallion broth you prepared, and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender.
Step 10
As the broth begins to boil, add the ground beef. Stir quickly with chopsticks or a ladle to separate the meat and prevent clumping. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface to ensure a clean and delicious broth.
Step 11
Once the beef is cooked, add all the toasted glutinous rice to the pot. Mix well. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring gently, until the rice grains are fully softened and the porridge thickens. Be careful to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
Step 12
When the rice grains become translucent and the porridge has a smooth, thickened consistency, your delicious beef and vegetable porridge is ready! If you’re serving it immediately, ladle it into a warm bowl and enjoy.
Step 13
If you plan to store the porridge or reheat it later, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to separate the broth from the solids. Pour the clear broth into a thermos to keep it warm. This method allows you to store the solids and broth separately, making it convenient.
Step 14
Place the solids separately in a bowl. When you’re ready to eat later, pour the warm broth from the thermos over the solids and mix. It will taste just as delicious as when freshly made. This is a truly comforting meal when you’re unwell or lacking energy.
