Clear and Bright · Breakfast · Phlegm-Dampness
Sweetcorn, poria and white hyacinth bean congee
Load the rice cooker the night before and wake up to a lightly sweet congee that helps clear damp.
- 1 hr 5 min
- Serves 2
- Simmer
- Easy
NeutralStrengthens spleen, clears dampResolves phlegm
Why it suits you: Phlegm-damp types feel heavy-headed, tired and sticky-mouthed when Clear and Bright humidity peaks. Poria and white hyacinth beans strengthen the spleen and leach out damp, corn drains water and tangerine peel moves qi and resolves phlegm, in a light congee that revives the appetite.
Method
Prep 5 min · Cook 60 min- 1Soak the beans overnight; rinse the poria and tangerine peel.
- 2Put everything except the salt in the rice cooker with the water and set the porridge programme on its timer to finish in the morning.
- 3Stir, season with a little salt and serve.
Cautions
- Cook white hyacinth beans until completely soft; undercooked beans can upset the stomach.
Chef's tips
- Ready-cut poria slices or cubes give more flavour in congee.
The TCM view
Poria is sweet, bland and neutral, strengthening the spleen and draining damp. White hyacinth beans are sweet and slightly warm and transform damp; corn is sweet and neutral and drains water; tangerine peel is pungent, bitter and warm and resolves phlegm. Together they clear damp without chilling.
