Teochew Porridge

This incredibly simple meal of plain rice congee is the perfect comfort food on a cold day.  As bland as it looks, and it is tasteless for the most part, the soupy bowl of rice congee is to a foodie, what a blank canvass is to an artist.
The beauty of this meal, is that it is served with as many little side dishes as you want to serve.
The acroutrements are usually a little salty so as to will impart flavor when it is mixed into the bowl.  Each bowl ends up being unique based on the the individual's taste.
Give it a shot and let me know how you like it!

Rice Porridge /Jook/ Congee

1 cup of rice - rinsed
5 cups of water
pinch of salt

there are several ways to prepare the jook; methods below are ranked from fastest to slowest.

Pot on stove - add all ingredients, bring to boil and then simmer for about 30 mins.
Rice cooker - add all ingredients, and click on cook  (should take about 45 mins)
Slow cooker - add all ingredients, select high (should be ready in 2-3 hours)

Alternately, you could use cooked rice or day old rice as well, just add approximately 4 cups of water to one cup cooked rice.

Side Dishes.
Here's the fun part.  Go simple or elaborate, your choice!

Picture:  From top going clockwise

Thanks to Hubie for capturing a picture of the acroutrements
from our jook dinner

1. Fried eggs with radish (a must)
2. Stir Fried seasoned Tofu with chinese chives
3. Ground pork in black bean sauce with bitter gourd
4. Char Siu (Honey BBQ Pork loin) from Asian Grocers
5. Pickled mustard greens with tofu
6. Sweet and Salty Spicy Lemony anchovies and peanuts
7. Century Eggs (in middle)

Other dishes

1. Salted Duck Eggs
2. Fried Dace fish with salted black beans/ Braised eel - canned found at Asian Grocery stores