Dendrobium Polygonatum Millet Congee (Shi Hu Hai Yu Zhu Xiao Mi Zhou)

Why people make this congee

Nourilo points out that long-term drinking and smoking, along with work stress, irregular eating and over-tiredness, all take a toll on the stomach. For those prone to stomach trouble he stresses gentle habits: small frequent meals, easy-to-digest nourishing food, chewing slowly, and dropping the habits of wolfing food down or over-eating greasy dishes. This dendrobium and polygonatum millet congee is his soothing food-therapy choice — traditionally said to strengthen the spleen and nourish stomach yin, and welcome for people with chronic stomach discomfort, a burning ache with no fixed timing, worse on an empty stomach in the afternoon.

Method

1. Soak and rinse the ingredients separately; pit the red dates.
2. Put everything into a rice cooker with about 6 cups of water and cook into a congee.

Nourilo’s Tips

This congee has little herbal taste. People with stomach trouble can take one portion daily for a week, and anyone with related digestive issues can eat it regularly. If you prefer, dendrobium powder (2 tsp) can replace the whole pieces.