Ingredients

• 糯米 (Nuo Mi) - Glutinous rice, 1 cup
• 红豆 (Hong Dou) - Red beans, 1/4 cup
• 绿豆 (Lv Dou) - Mung beans (绿豆): 1/4 cup
• 薏米 (Yi Mi) - Barley (薏米): 1/4 cup
• 莲子 (Lian Zi) - Dried lotus seeds (莲子): 1/4 cup
• Dried longan (龙眼肉): 1/4 cup
• Dried red dates (红枣): 5-6 pieces
• Rock sugar (冰糖): to taste (optional)
• Water (水): 6 cups

Instructions:

1. Preparation:

   • Rinse the glutinous rice, red beans, mung beans, and barley under cold water until the water runs clear.
   • Soak the red beans, mung beans, and barley in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. This helps to reduce cooking time and makes the beans softer.
   • Soak the dried lotus seeds and dried longan in warm water for about 30 minutes to soften them.

2. Cooking:

   • In a large pot, add the soaked red beans, mung beans, and barley along with 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
   • Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
   • Add the glutinous rice, soaked lotus seeds, and dried longan to the pot. Stir well to combine.
   • Continue to simmer for another 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the porridge becomes too thick, you can add more water as needed.
   • Add the dried red dates and rock sugar (if using) during the last 10 minutes of cooking. The rock sugar will dissolve and sweeten the porridge.

3. Serving:

   • Once the porridge is thick and the ingredients are soft and well-cooked, remove the pot from the heat.
   • Serve the 八宝粥 hot or cold, depending on your preference. It can be enjoyed as a breakfast dish or a dessert.

Difficulty Level:

• Ingredient Availability in the U.S.: 3/5 (Some ingredients like dried lotus seeds and dried longan may require a visit to an Asian grocery store, but most are readily available in larger supermarkets or online.)
• Cooking Difficulty: 2/5 (The process is straightforward but requires some time for soaking and simmering.)

Tips:

• You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less rock sugar.
• For a richer flavor, you can add a small piece of ginger or a cinnamon stick during cooking.
• Leftover 八宝粥 can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.

Enjoy your homemade 八宝粥!