Vegan Congee (Jook, Rice Porridge)

Here's a vegan version of one of my favorite comfort foods, congee (jook/rice porridge/粥). One thing I didn't mention in the video, is that I usually dig out the lemongrass and large chunks of ginger and garlic before serving.
Instead of using chicken, pork, or dried seafood, I used shiitake mushrooms, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and vegetable broth to flavor the jook.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup jasmine rice
6 dried shiitake mushrooms
4 cups water, divided (use 2 cups to soak mushrooms)
5 cups vegetable broth
2 stalks lemongrass, sliced into 3 to 4-inch chunks
2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
1 teaspoon kosher salt, add more to taste

TOPPINGS:

white pepper
hot sesame oil
soy sauce
sautéed shiitake mushrooms
furikake
scallions

0:00 Intro
0:15 Flavoring Ingredients
1:22 Cooking Congee/Jook
3:03 Fried Dough Sticks
3:22 Toppings
3:44 End