Digest Herbal Porridge Cooking Instructions

Nourishing your body doesn't have to be complicated.

The focus is on simplicity.

Serves 6

Add

  • Asian brown sugar slab or sugar of choice to your desired sweetness levelĀ (see cooking notes).
  • Pinch of salt
  • (Optional) 6 pandan leaves tied into a knot
  • (Optional) Coconut milk to serve

Topping ideas to take your dessert porridge to the next level:

  • Glutinous rice balls (tang yuan)
  • Sticky rice cakes
  • Sago
  • Tapioca balls
  • Taro / sweet potato balls
  • Grass jelly

Method

PREPARATION

  • Soak all ingredients except tangerine peel and rose buds for 4 hours or preferably overnight until herbs are soft.

COOK

  1. Add soaked herbs, tangerine peel, pandan leaves and 1.3-1.5L water into a pot.
  2. Bring to boil and simmer for 1-1.5 hours. Cook until tender and preferredĀ texture.
  3. Add a pinch of salt and brown sugar at the end and continue to simmer until dissolved.
  4. Remove pandan leaves and tangerine peel. Drizzle with coconut milk. Crush rose buds on top to serve. Enjoy warm for breakfast or dessert.Ā 

Cooking notes

  • The longer it has been cooked, the thicker the consistency. If it becomes too thick, add water to dilute and adjust sweetness level.
  • For a more soupy texture, add up to 2L water.
  • Traditionally this is a very sweet dessert soup with at least 1x100g or more whole brown sugar slab. For a healthier alternative, start with 1/3 slab and gradually make your way up to adjust to your sweetness level.

  • If adding toppings,Ā cook separately as per packet instructions before adding to porridge.
  • For a more traditional broken red bean, sandy texture "Hong Dou Sha ēŗ¢č±†ę²™", use a stick blender to break up the porridge at the end but not until smooth. Remember to remove the pandan leaves and tangerine peel before blending.
  • Store any left overs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat when ready to serve. When reheating in a pot, be careful not to burn the bottom if the porridge is very thick.Ā 
  • BONUS:Ā Left overs can be used to make a red bean popsicle using an ice-cream mould. Add whole milk / coconut milk for a creamier texture and adjust sweetness level. Note that this is a healthy popsicle option with wholesome ingredients so texture will be more icy that store bought ice creams.
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