Eight Treasure Congee (八宝粥)

8 standard portions

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) glutinous rice
• 2 tablespoons forbidden rice
• 2 tablespoons barley ((or brown rice))
• 2 tablespoons dry red beans ((or mung beans))
• 1/8 cup (30 ml) raw cashews ((or peanuts, or lotus seeds) (*Footnote 1))
• 1/8 cup (30 ml) coarsely chopped raw pecans ((or walnuts, or chestnuts))
• 6 to 10 dried Chinese jujubes ((or dried Longan, rinsed) (*Footnote 2))
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 8 to 10 cups of water
• 1/4 cup rock sugar (, or to taste (or any other type of sweetener you prefer) (Optional))

Method

1. Add all the dry ingredients except the sugar, and 8 cups water into the Instant Pot. Set to cook at high pressure for 25 minutes. Once done, release the pressure naturally. (*Footnote 3) Once the pressure is released, stir the congee thoroughly so the texture becomes consistent.
2. (Optional) Add the sugar according to your taste. Stir so that it dissolves completely. If the rock sugar doesn’t dissolve, turn on the saute function and let it cook until the sugar melts, 2 minutes or less.
3. Serve hot as a side.
4. Combine the glutinous rice, black rice, peanuts, walnuts, barley, red beans in a big bowl. Pour in 2”(5cm) tap water to cover. Soak overnight. Discard the soaking water and drain thoroughly before cooking.
5. Combine the soaked rice blend, red dates, and raisins in a big pot. Add 10 cups water.
6. Cook over medium-high heat until bringing to a simmer. Turn to low heat. Cover the pot and leave a finger-wide a gap between the lid and the edge of the pot, to allow more steam to escape and prevent the congee from spilling or boiling over. Simmer until the congee reaches the desired texture, 40 minutes for a thin texture, or up to 60 minutes for a stickier and thicker texture.
7. (Optional) At the end of the cooking, add the sugar and stir to dissolve it completely.
8. Serve hot as a side.