I love food, cooking and nutrition because just like our world, the journey to health is constantly evolving, introducing us to novel ingredients, innovative cooking methods, and exciting food trends. In the dynamic landscape of nutrition, whole-grain foods have risen as beacons of health. Offering a medley of nutrients, these grains lower the risk of health conditions, nurture the body and help us to support a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.
How do we turn simple grains to a wholesome meal? As we explore and experiment with the recipes available, we find that porridges, gruels and congees work great by providing both nourishment and comfort in a single bowl. This age-old culinary treasure not only tantalises our taste buds but also gives us the joy of experiencing wholesome eating in its purest form. As a busy mum who is always on a look out for healthy and nourishing food for my child, rice soups and congees become my go-to solution when time is tight. It’s the perfect easy-peasy meal for everyone when minutes are precious.
But let’s talk grains first:
Whole grains or refined grains?
The versatility of congee gives us the freedom to experiment with the ingredients, flavours, and texture. We can dabble in different grains while making congee, like long-grained rice, short-grained rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, millet, and quinoa. Choosing whole grains over refined grains adds an extra dose of nutritional richness in our congee concoctions. Whole grains contain three parts, including bran, germ, and endosperm. Barn is the source of vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, B-9, E, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Selenium. While the germ contains several vitamins and essential fats, the endosperm mostly comprises starch. Refined grains tend to look more appealing with their fine texture, but they fall short in nutritional splendour when compared to their whole-grain counterparts. The next time we make a trip to the local grocery store, we might want to consider picking a good mix of grains for greater health benefits.
Now that we have understood grains better, let’s spruce things up a notch. Whether it’s our favourite Parsnips & Carrots Chicken Congee, Beef & Fennel Millet Porridge or Salmon & Broccoli Wild Rice Gruel, we choose to add a variety of whole grains and interesting veggies to make each meal more wholesome and flavourful.
Enhancing your dining experience
Rice porridges and congees are so interesting because there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to this ancient food remedy. The preference for porridges and congees of each individual is different, be it a child or an adult. While some prefer a velvety-smooth congee, others may crave a heartier, grain-packed porridge. At Shane’s Kitchen, we weave a story of nourishment with love and care. As a concerned parent on a journey to find good foods that my child will truly enjoy, I have tried various food recipes to bring you the best we know how.
Chicken is one of the most widely accepted proteins so we shall start with chicken in our porridges. Along the way to better health, I have found that the secret to a flavourful chicken congee recipe lies not only in the grains but also in the richness of the liquid used in simmering the grains and the freshness of vegetables. Enhance congee nutrition by adding your favourite broths from Shane’s Kitchen and serve up a delectable bowl of goodness with no added salt or sugar, additives or preservatives. To save you some time, our frozen home-made soups, broths, and stocks serve just the purpose of elevating a boring congee from a simple food to a nutritious and mouth-watering good meal. Or, even better, we have an appetizing range of porridges, congees and gruels over here shanes kitchen for your dining delight.
Roll up your sleeves and get a little creative with your food. It never hurts to add your personal touch and experiment with an array of different grains. Make mealtime exciting with delicious dishes that not only tantalise your palate but also fuel your body with a hearty dose of health and vitality. Swing by our website to explore our porridges and congees and let us serve you at your doorstep with home delivery in Singapore.
