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The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Porridge: Quick, Hassle-Free, and Cost-Effective

Porridge is a beloved dish in Vietnam, but many shy away from cooking it due to the lengthy simmering process and the risk of it boiling over.

Administrator

31 October, 2024

To make porridge preparation simpler, quicker, and less time-consuming, follow this tip to avoid messy spills, save gas or electricity, and make cleaning up a breeze.

For Faster-Cooking Porridge

First, soak the rice. Cooking pre-soaked rice will be quicker as it has absorbed water. After soaking, lightly fry the rice for a few minutes to enhance its aroma and give the porridge a beautiful color.

To expedite the cooking process, try this trick: Use a thermos to pre-cook the rice. Pour hot water over the rice and let it sit overnight, or for a few hours before cooking. This method will save you significant time and effort.

Pre-soak the rice for quicker-cooking porridge

If you don’t have a thermos, you can use a gas stove. Bring the rice and water to a boil, then turn off the heat and let it sit with the lid on. Alternatively, use an electric rice cooker and switch to the ‘keep warm’ setting after it boils.

When pre-soaking, use just enough water. Once the rice has absorbed the water and softened, mash it with a ladle before adding more water to dilute it. Adding too much water initially will make mashing more difficult, resulting in longer cooking times.

This method not only speeds up cooking but also reduces the amount of gas or electricity needed.

Tips to Prevent Porridge from Boiling Over

Simmer on low heat: The most common way to prevent porridge from boiling over is to cook it on low heat with the lid off.

Use a wooden spoon: Place a large wooden or bamboo spoon across the top of the pot. These materials will break the bubbles as they form, preventing them from overflowing.

Add oil or fat: Oil or fat creates a barrier that prevents the starch from bubbling over.

Useful tip to prevent porridge from boiling over

Tips to Prevent Burning the Bottom of the Pot

Porridge tends to burn at the bottom if cooked for too long. To prevent this, stir frequently with a spoon or spatula. Additionally, before adding the rice, heat the pot and coat the bottom with a thin layer of oil or fat to prevent sticking and burning.

With these tips, you’ll be able to cook delicious and fragrant porridge directly from rice grains without having to grind them into flakes or powder. While grinding rice may speed up cooking, it alters the taste and doesn’t allow the rice to cook thoroughly, which is not ideal for your health.

Once your porridge is ready, you can add minced meat, shrimp paste, fish, or other ingredients to make a nutritious meal for your family.