Peanut Congee

Zhou Pu (Porridge Recipes)

The author of this book, Huang Yunhu, was a native of Qizhou during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty and once served as an official in Chengdu. His book Porridge Recipes contains a total of 247 porridge formulas. The author was well-versed in the health benefits of consuming porridge and believed that congee was most suitable for the elderly, stating that it “saves money, retains full flavor, moistens, benefits the diaphragm, and is easy to digest.” Peanut Porridge is selected from Porridge Recipes, Volume III, Vegetable and Nut Category.

Porridge Composition: 45 grams of Arachis hypogaea (with red skin not removed), 60 grams of japonica rice, appropriate amount of rock sugar. You can also add 30 grams of Dioscorea opposita or 15 grams of Lilium brownii.

Efficacy and Indications: Strengthens the Spleen and improves appetite, moistens the Lungs and helps with occasional cough, nourishes blood and promotes lactation. It is suitable for dry cough due to Lung dryness with little or no sputum, Spleen-deficiency induced nausea, anemia, and insufficient milk production after childbirth.

Cooking Method: First, wash the peanuts and crush them. Add non-glutinous rice and slices of Chinese yam or lily bulbs, and cook together to make porridge. When the porridge is almost done, add rock sugar and cook for a short while longer.

Explanation of Congee Benefits: Arachis hypogaea, commonly known as the longevity nut, is sweet in taste and neutral in nature. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is said to enter the Lung and Spleen meridians, and has the effects of moistening the Lungs, strengthening the Spleen, harmonizing the stomach, and promoting lactation. Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica of South Yunnan states that it “tonifies the middle and replenishes qi, and when boiled in salt water, nourishes the Lungs.” Records of Tradition and Commentary on Materia Medica notes that “the longevity nut can strengthen the Spleen and stomach, and is suitable for those with difficulty in digesting food.” Modern Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine also mentions that it can “supports beriberi and insufficient lactation in women.” Congee Recipes records that “Arachis hypogaea congee moistens the Lungs, helps with occasional cough, and pleases the Spleen.” Arachis hypogaea is indeed a nutritionally rich food and medicinal herb. The peanut kernels contain 40-50% fatty oil, primarily oleic acid, along with a significant amount of protein, starch, amino acids, lecithin, vitamins B1, B2, A, C, H, pantothenic acid, calcium, phosphorus, iron, as well as various active ingredients such as arachidin, betaine, and choline. However, moldy and spoiled peanuts should not be consumed as they contain aflatoxin, which can cause Liver cancer. For those with Spleen and stomach qi deficiency, adding yam, which strengthens the Spleen and nourishes the stomach, to the congee is beneficial. For those with Lung deficiency and dry cough, adding lilium bulb and cooking it together yields even better results.

Precautions: Peanut porridge can be consumed over the long term without any restrictions on the course of intake. When cooking peanut porridge, the red outer skin of the peanuts should not be removed. Since peanuts have a lubricating effect on the intestines and promote bowel movements, patients with diarrhea should not consume them in large quantities. Moldy peanuts are strictly prohibited.

Reference Materials

Food and supports · Non-staple Food Category: “Ground peanuts (with red skins not removed), pounded and boiled with rice porridge, to supports insufficient lactation.”