I was not very culinarily sophisticated when I first saw the movie Mulan. That’s not to say that I’m particularly sophisticated now either. And so, on my first Mulan viewing when Mushu was serving up porridge I thought it oatmeal. I now realize that Mushu’s Breakfast is actually rice porridge, aka congee.
If you don’t know what congee is, allow this westerner with exactly zero Asian heritage to blogsplain everything for you! Congee is porridge made from rice the same way that oatmeal is porridge made from oats. I realize I basically said that in the previous paragraph but it bears repeating. Also, while oatmeal is more often a sweet breakfast (served with things like fruit and milk), congee can be served as part of every meal and is usually served as a savory dish with things like meat or fish.
According to a very thorough response on Quora, Mulan doesn’t really take place at any particular time period in Chinese history. The poem the movie is based on takes place over 1500 years ago and according to my (not particularly thorough) research, people have been eating:
- congee for at least 5000 years
- bacon for at least 3500 years (and it was probably invented in China!)
- eggs since as long as humans have existed.
All of this means that Mushu’s Breakfast is actually kind of, somewhat historically accurate.
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover rice
- ~1 litre chicken stock
- 2 Eggs
- 1 slice of Bacon
- Bug (optional)
Directions
To make the Congee combine rice and chicken stock in a pot and simmer for about 15 minutes on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. As the congee becomes your desired consistency, turn heat off and set aside. Next, fry your bacon slice and sunny side up eggs. Place eggs and bacon on top of the congee and serve immediately.
This was very tasty. Although it suffers from a poor bacon to egg ratio, something I’ve explored in past recipes. Still, if you’re looking for a breakfast that will help you impersonate someone else and train in the military, this is a solid option.
Cromulence: 8 Dishonored Cows out of 10
Mushu’s Breakfast from: Mulan
Asians love to make porridge for sick folks since it’s so easy to eat and digest! My mom likes to serve hers with a dash of sesame oil and seasoned with salt, but when she’s feeling apathetic towards us she serves them plain, claiming it’s easier on the stomach. They’re also good cooked with shredded chicken and seasoned with salt and pepper. Or served with a little bit of soy sauce mixed in…
Truly, porridge made from any type of grain is king. All hail prrodidge.
Agreed! I really like savory porridge and I feel like in Canada/US the default is to only go sweet with your oatmeal options. Mix it up a bit and add some salt and pepper and protein into the mix, so yum!