A Warm Breakfast – The Healing Power of Quinoa Porridge & Rice Congee
A Friend's Visit and the World of Superfoods
Many years ago, a friend from Ireland came to visit me. Before he arrived in Berlin, I asked him about his dietary preferences so I could make his stay as comfortable as possible. He mentioned a book he had just read titled The 12 Superfoods, explaining that he would love to continue eating foods like quinoa and alfalfa sprouts daily while staying with me.
No sooner said than done! My local organic grocery store didn't let me down. I gathered all the "superfoods" and eagerly awaited my friend's arrival. On the first morning, he prepared a quinoa porridge. I watched curiously, though I wasn't immediately tempted to try it. After two days, however, my curiosity got the better of me and I asked for a bite. By the end of his week-long stay, I found myself sitting happily in front of my own bowl of quinoa porridge every morning, wondering how I had ever managed to start my day without this magical dish!
Recipe 1: Gluten-Free Quinoa Porridge (Serves 1)
A simple, highly nutritious, and gluten-free breakfast option:
50 ml Quinoa
150 ml Water
A pinch of Cinnamon (helps stabilize blood sugar levels)
A small handful of Raisins or dried fruit of your choice
A pinch of Salt
Instructions:
Combine the ingredients in a small pot and let them gently simmer and swell on the lowest stove setting.
Shortly before it finishes cooking, fold in a chopped apple or other fresh fruit.
Serve on a plate or in a bowl, stirring in a splash of cream, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, or butter.
Optional: Add soaked chia seeds and sweeten with honey to taste.
Enjoy!
Finding My Way to TCM Rice Congee
I ate quinoa porridge almost daily for eight years. Then, my partner and I moved in together. He had previously lived on another continent, and during our long-distance relationship, we had rarely eaten breakfast together. When we did, it was usually a lavish weekend brunch.
During one of our first joint grocery runs, he instinctively reached for the rolled oats and began making traditional oat porridge at home. Soon, I joined him—mostly because cooking two different hot breakfasts every morning was logistically impractical! While it was nice, something felt missing for me.
I began reading about traditional Chinese medical nutrition, rice congees, and energy-building soups. After experimenting with various recipes, I settled on a Rice Congee that has been my daily morning staple for years—and one that brings me joy every single day.
Recipe 2: Traditional Nourishing Rice Congee
2 Liters Water
200 g Mochi Rice (or other glutinous/sticky rice)
20 g Black or Brown Rice (not wild rice or standard whole grain)
1 tbsp Black Sesame Seeds
3 tbsp White Sesame Seeds (or other chopped nuts)
150 g Dried Fruit (finely chopped)
1 tsp Salt
Instructions:
Bring the 2 liters of water to a boil in a large pot.
In the meantime, measure out all remaining ingredients.
Once the water boils, add all ingredients and bring back to a boil.
Turn the heat down to the lowest setting and let it simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Allow the congee to cool in the pot, then transfer it into storage containers and store in the refrigerator.
Every Morning: Simply heat up a single portion, refine it with fresh fruit, and stir in healthy fats like coconut oil, cream, or flaxseed oil. You can also add pre-soaked chia seeds as desired.
Why Rice Congee is So Beneficial
The practical advantage of rice congee is that heating up a single portion takes virtually no time or effort in the morning.
Yin & Yang Balance: Adding dark seeds (like black sesame) strengthens the body's Yin. The long, slow cooking process "yangifies" the food, making it far more energizing for digestion than a briefly cooked porridge.
Customization: If you wish to nourish your Yin further, simply increase the ratio of black sesame and brown rice. You can also add gentle spices or Job's tears (Coix seeds, available in Asian markets) to address other constitutional needs.
I wish you much joy in trying these out—bon appétit!