Mama's Sick-Day Recipe

Khao-thom or congee/jook (if there's meat) is Mama's go-to comfort food from childhood--a very soft, somewhat salty rice-meat bowl of goodness.  And now it's Sis's and Bud's.  So, with a general idea of how to make it and a sick child at home who has no appetite, I've been emailing Mama this morning for specifics as to how she makes it their favorite.  Here is her recipe:

Congee/Jook
Get a big pot to avoid boil over. Put a piece of chicken (frozen ok) in it with approx 1.5 cup of (jasmine) rice, a shake of the minced garlic (no need pre-soak) and enough water to cover 2-3x. You can also add soy sauce while cooking--the thin one, not the sweet or black ones.  Scallions would make it even better.  :)  Bring to boil, let simmer, stirring often to avoid sticking to bottom and to break up the chicken, until rice and chicken are cooked, about an hour to be safe. Cut up the chicken and serve, adding soy sauce to bowl.  Bud likes his with pickles (Chinese pickled vegetable.)

Note:  to make khao-thom, cook as directed but with no meat.  Also, pork works well, too.  

Mama Hungry

Sicko

The kiddos are sick. We knew it was coming. DP has been coughing and miserable for a few days. And the kids coughed a lot Sunday night. But last night took it to a new high. And they awoke with fevers, obviously exhausted and miserable.

We're missing Chinese class and have canceled two playdates (today and tomorrow) already. And we won't go to school tomorrow either. Probably not playgroup on Thursday. It's going to be a long week.

Especially because I woke up with a sore throat too.

Intermission

We have the stomach flu.

If I trace the path correctly, a little friend and Gommie got it over the weekend. DD started throwing up today at 4. The little friend's mom came down with it today too. Which means DD, DP, and I are next.

It might be a few days before I post again.

But until then, DS's first real joke (heard as I held his sister so she would fall asleep; he was in his crib trying to self-soothe): "Twinkle twinkle, little star, how I wonder . . . what you had for breakfast."