Okayu (Japanese Rice Porridge)

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup short grain Japanese rice (or 1/2 cup if you are using the measuring cup that comes with a rice cooker)
• 600 ml water
• Pinch salt (optional)
• 2 umeboshi (Japanese pickled plum), or other toppings such as sesame seeds, chopped scallions, mitsuba (or cilantro), or cooked salted salmon

Instructions

1. 1

   Put the rice in a rice washing bowl and run cold water over it. Rinse the rice using your hand, in a swirling motion, until the water runs clear. Drain well. If you don’t have a rice washing bowl, put the rice in a medium size bowl and pour a little water in it. Wash the rice in a swirling motion to remove the excess starch, for about 1 minute, and strain the rice through a sieve to drain all the water.

2. 2

   Transfer the rice to a dobabe (earthenware pot), dolsot (cooking stone bowl), or regular pot, and add the water and salt.

3. 3

   Bring the mixture to a boil, stir a few times so the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom, and lower the heat to low. Cover and cook for 35-40 minutes.

4. 4

   Serve with umeboshi or other topping of your choice.