Congee & Porridge
Red Bean and Astragalus Congee
Traditionally used to support strength and appetite during convalescence
Why people make this congee
When someone is worn down — weak, off their food, low on energy, perhaps a little puffy — a soft, easy-to-digest congee can be a real comfort and help them eat a little more. Bro Niu offers this gentle pot of astragalus, red beans, pearl barley and glutinous rice as a warm, supportive bowl during convalescence. Traditionally it is associated with boosting qi and supporting the spleen and stomach; it is meant to nourish, never to replace proper medical care.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Those feeling depleted with a poor appetite during recovery, including after surgery.
- Diabetics can have it, but use just one preserved kumquat cake to keep it from being too sweet.
- This is supportive food only — please follow your doctor’s and dietitian’s advice, especially around surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Astragalus (bei qi): classically associated with boosting qi and supporting the body’s vitality.
- Red beans (chi xiao dou): traditionally used to help drain dampness and ease puffiness.
- Job’s tears / pearl barley (yi mi): another traditional damp-clearing grain that is gentle on digestion.
- Chicken’s-gizzard lining (ji nei jin): classically used to support digestion and appetite.
- Glutinous rice (nuo mi): makes a soft, soothing base.
Ingredients (2–3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Astragalus (bei qi) | ~38 g | |
| Job’s tears / pearl barley | ~38 g | |
| Red beans (adzuki) | ~38 g | |
| Chicken’s-gizzard lining | ~11 g | ground |
| Preserved kumquat cake | 2 (or 1 for diabetics) | chopped |
| Glutinous rice | ~38 g |
Method
- First simmer the astragalus in water for about 30 minutes, then remove the astragalus and keep the liquid.
- Use that astragalus liquid to cook the pearl barley, red beans, kumquat cake, glutinous rice and ground gizzard lining for about 1 hour, until soft.
Bro Niu’s tips
Alternatively, chop the astragalus, put it in a tea bag and simmer it together with the congee. This congee suits anyone with a poor appetite after surgery; it is supportive food, not a cure.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Jun): Can any patient eat this congee? My mum has diabetes and is having radiotherapy; can she and my dad both have it? Bro Niu: This congee suits anyone — diabetics included — but use just one kumquat cake so it isn’t too sweet. Your dad can have it too, no problem.
- Q (CW Chang): The recipe mentions preserved kumquat cakes — what are they and where can I buy them? How do I clean the gizzard lining? Bro Niu: Red beans, astragalus, gizzard lining and kumquat cakes are all available at a Chinese herbal shop. The gizzard lining the shop sells is already cleaned — no washing needed.
- Q (Mat): Do I really cook only the astragalus liquid? What’s the water-to-rice ratio? Bro Niu: You can simmer the astragalus together with the rice and just lift it out afterwards. About 1/4 cup of rice to roughly 5 bowls of water works well.
Published July 26, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
