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Ultimate Ham Bone Congee: Soul-Soothing Comfort Food! - ham congee - Ham congee: Make this savory, soul-soothing rice soup in under 3 hours. Tender shredded ham

Ultimate Ham Bone Congee: Soul-Soothing Comfort Food!

Savor this soul-soothing ham congee, a comforting rice porridge simmered with a savory ham bone and seasoned to perfection.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kg (2 lb) ham bone / hock
  • 1 1/4 cups long grain white rice
  • 9 cups (2.25 L or 2.25 QT) water
  • Salt & white pepper
  • Finely sliced green onion
  • Fried asian shallots / onions (optional)
  • Sesame oil (optional)

Method
 

  1. Place ham bone, uncooked rice, and water in a large pot. Cover with lid.
  2. Cook until meat on ham is tender enough to shred (times vary by method: stovetop ~2-3 hours, slow cooker ~4-6 hours on low, pressure cooker ~45-60 minutes).
  3. Carefully remove ham bone from soup. Shred the tender meat, discarding fatty skin and sinew. Use scissors to chop meat into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Stir the rice well in the pot. Return the shredded ham meat back into the soup. Keep the bone aside for now.
  5. Continue cooking until the rice breaks down and the soup achieves a thick, porridge-like consistency.
  6. Remove the ham bone. Stir the congee vigorously. If too thick, add a little more water. If too thin, simmer uncovered to thicken. Adjust salt to taste and add a dash of white pepper.
  7. Serve hot, garnished generously with finely sliced green onions and crispy fried shallots. A drizzle of sesame oil adds extra flavor.

Notes

- Save the ham bone after shredding meat and return it to the soup while simmering to continue infusing flavor.
- For a smoother congee, stir vigorously towards the end of cooking. Use scissors to finely chop the ham meat for easier eating.
- Internal temperature for safely cooked pork/ham is 160°F (71°C). Ensure meat is cooked through.
Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.