Bountiful Autumn Feast: Traditional Teochew Seafood Porridge

by Jennifer Brown

Introduction:

Autumnal Reunion in a Pot

As the cool embrace of autumn ushers in Mid-Autumn festivities, the desire to gather around a pot of warm, comforting Teochew seafood porridge intensifies. Through the streets of Guangzhou, myriad eateries boast their signature Teochew seafood pots, but the joy of creating this soothing delicacy at home is unparalleled, especially when shared with loved ones during a cozy family banquet.

Ingredients:

The Harvest of the Sea

  • Qingdao Prawns: 10 pieces
  • Lone Crab: 1 piece
  • Oyster Gems: 10 pieces
  • Rice Essence: 80 grams
  • Shiitake Morsels: 3 pieces
  • Scallop Pillars: 10 pieces
  • Salted Egg Heart: 1 piece
  • Teochew Preserved Vegetables: 5 grams
  • Cilantro Whispers: 3 grams
  • Green Onion Garnish: 5 grams
  • Celery Crunch: 1 stalk
  • Water’s Clarity: 2500 grams
  • TTL Original Fresh Matsutake Seasoning: 3 grams
  • Peanut Butter Velvet: 15 grams
  • Pepper’s Zest: 1 gram

Preparation:

Weaves of Warmth

Mise en Place:

Step 1

Prepare your ingredients: dice the shiitake mushrooms, mince the herbs, chop the green onions, and cube the celery.

Prelude to Flavor:

Step 2

Trim the prawns, segment the crab, and soak the rice in advance.

Aromatic Beginnings:

Step 3

Heat oil and ginger, sauté the prawn heads until they turn color to extract the exquisite shrimp oil.

The Broth:

Step 4

Add water and bring to a boil.

Seafood Harvesting:

Step 5

Remove the prawn heads post-flavor infusion; partake in them or save for the porridge.

The Core:

Step 6

Introduce the soaked rice to the pot.

Simmering Secrets:

Step 7

Add the shiitake mushrooms and scallops, and let simmer over low heat for 30 minutes until the rice and ingredients soften.

Uncovered Watchfulness:

Step 8

Skip the lid to prevent overflow while stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Timed Tenderness:

Step 9

While the porridge simmers, finely chop the salted egg.

Egg’s Richness:

Step 10

After 30 minutes, when the porridge has softened, stir in the salted egg.

Spiced Whisper:

Step 11

Sprinkle in the pepper powder.

Nutty Depths:

Step 12

Add and mix the peanut butter for a rich undertone.

Umami Unleashed:

Step 13

Stir in the TTL Matsutake Fresh Seasoning, adjusting to taste preferences.

Ocean’s Bounty:

Step 14

Introduce the prawn flesh to the mix.

Crab’s Comfort:

Step 15

Blend in the crab and oyster meats.

Green Symphony:

Step 16

Finish off with cilantro, green onions, and celery, along with the Teochew preserved vegetables, simmering for about 5 minutes until the rice ‘blooms’.

Perfection:

Step 17

Switch off the heat promptly to avoid spillover, with the perfect porridge consistency now achieved.

Visual and Flavor Pleasure:

Completed Dish:

The seafood’s flavor heightened by TTL’s Matsutake Fresh makes additional salt redundant; an ode to the pure taste of the ocean. Enjoy the beautiful layering of ingredients as they present a clarified vision of rice ‘blossoms,’ a unique characteristic of the Teochew porridge style.

Cooking Insights:

  • Careful Observation: Cook the porridge uncovered, stir from time to time, and monitor the heat to preserve the color of the ingredients.
  • Authentic Seasoning: TTL’s Original Fresh Matsutake Seasoning adds rich, authentic flavor without artificial sweeteners, enhancers, or flavorings, ensuring a natural taste that’s simply perfect for enhancing rice dishes.

You may also like