Laba Porridge (Laba Zhou)

Method6 steps

1. 1

   Soak the Hard Beans

   浸泡硬质豆类

   Wash the mung beans, red beans, peanuts, soybeans, peas, and red kidney beans thoroughly in advance, place them in a glass bowl, add 3/4 bowl of drinking water, and soak overnight (or at least 8 hours).

   提前洗净绿豆、红豆、花生、黄豆、豌豆、红腰豆，放入玻璃碗，注入3/4碗的饮用水，浸泡一夜（或最少8小时）。

   ⏱480 min

   • 💡 Beans have a hard texture; soaking them thoroughly shortens the cooking time and ensures a soft, tender texture.豆类质地坚硬，充分浸泡能缩短熬煮时间并确保口感软烂
   
2. 2

   Soak the Grains and Lotus Seeds

   浸泡谷物莲子

   Wash the rice, glutinous rice, Job's tears, black rice, millet, and lotus seeds thoroughly in advance, place them in a glass bowl, add 3/4 bowl of drinking water, and soak for 3 hours.

   提前洗净大米、糯米、薏米、黑米、小米、莲子，放入玻璃碗，注入3/4碗的饮用水，浸泡3小时。

   ⏱180 min

   • 💡 After soaking, the grains absorb water and are easier to bloom and release starch during cooking.谷物浸泡后吸饱水分，熬煮时更容易开花出浆
   
3. 3

   Initial Cooking of the Beans

   初步熬煮豆类

   Drain the soaking water from the beans, pour the beans into the congee pot (or pressure cooker), and add 1 liter of drinking water (or enough to cover the ingredients by 1 thumb's width). Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.

   倒掉豆类的浸泡水，将豆类倒入粥锅中，加入1升饮用水（或漫过食材1拇指块），大火煮沸后合盖，转小火煮30分钟。

   ⏱30 min

   • 💡 Beans are harder to cook than grains, so they must be added to the pot first.豆类比米类难熟，必须先入锅熬煮
   
4. 4

   Add the Grains and Simmer Slowly

   加入谷物慢熬

   Drain the soaking water from the grains, pour the grain ingredients into the congee pot (or pressure cooker), cover the lid, and continue simmering over low heat for 60 minutes.

   倒掉谷物的浸泡水，将谷物原料倒入粥锅中，合上锅盖，继续用小火煮60分钟。

   ⏱60 min

   • 💡 After adding the grains, they tend to sink to the bottom; stir occasionally to prevent scorching.加入米类后容易沉底，需偶尔搅拌防止糊底
   
5. 5

   Add Dried Fruits and Season

   加入干果调味

   Wash the red dates (jujube) (cut into small slices), dried longan, chestnuts, walnuts, raisins, and rock sugar, add them all to the pot, cover, and simmer over low heat for another 60 minutes.

   洗净红枣（切成小片）、桂圆、栗子、核桃、葡萄干、冰糖，全部倒入锅中，合盖小火再煮60分钟。

   ⏱60 min

   • 💡 Cutting the red dates (jujube) into slices allows their sweetness to blend better into the porridge.红枣切片可以使其甜味更好地融入粥中
   
6. 6

   Confirm and Serve

   确认出锅

   Once the porridge has reached a thick, soft, and glutinous consistency, turn off the heat and serve.

   确认煮出的粥已达到粘稠软糯的状态后即可关火、盛盘食用。

   ⏱1 min

   • 💡 Let it sit for 5 minutes after turning off the heat for a better texture.关火后焖5分钟口感更佳