1. Soak the herbs in a small bowl in cold water for 5-10 minutes to remove traces of impurities. This will help remove dust and debris. Rinse and set aside in a small bowl.
2. If using fresh Chinese yams, wash and peel the yams.
3. Cut into slices.
4. Wash the millet.

If adding animal protein:

1. Wash the pork ribs, shanks, or tenderloin with cold water and pat dry with a kitchen paper towel. If your pot needs to be bigger, only cut the pork ribs into small pieces.
2. Blanched pork ribs in a medium pot to remove the impurities and excess foam. Rinse with cold water. Set aside.

Instant Pot Pressure Cooking Instructions

1. Add a cup of millet gluten-free grain, Chinese yams, and lily bulbs to the Instant Pot with 8 cups of water.
2. To include meat in the simple millet congee, combine millet with par-boiled pork ribs, tenderloin, or shank.
3. Close the lid, toggle the pressure valve, and set the set to cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
4. Once the timer beeps, let its natural pressure release. If you are in a hurry, you can opt for a quick release.
5. Carefully turn the venting knob to release the remaining pressure. Open the lid. Stir and check for a porridge-like consistency.
6. Stir in salt to taste as desired.
7. Serve in individual bowls.
8. To enhance your morning congee's flavour and texture, add one or a combination of finely chopped green scallions, fresh cilantro, chilli oil, chilli flakes, shredded pork floss, and toasted garlic flakes to garnish.

Rice Cooker Instructions

1. Alternatively, simple millet congee can be cooked quickly in the rice cooker. It also does not require a long cooking time. Usually, it takes about 30 minutes to select the standard cook rice mode, or if it is a fancy rice cooker, select the cook porridge mode.
2. Add rinsed millet, fresh herbs, par-boiled meat and cold drinking water to the inner rice cooker pot. Set to cook on rice or porridge setting. When the timer beeps, open the lid and stir well with a wooden spoon. Serve and enjoy.
3. Pro Tip: Using fresh Chinese yams and lily bulbs instead of dried herbs is best. Dried herbs require time to resuscitate and extra time to become soft.
4. Add rinsed millet and 4 cups water to the rice cooker pot. Set to the Porridge setting. When the timer beeps, open the lid and stir everything.
5. Salt to taste.
6. Serve and enjoy.

Stove Top Instructions

1. Add rinsed millet, Chinese herbs, par-boiled meat and cold drinking water to a large ceramic pot.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
3. Let it simmer for 30 minutes, frequently stirring to avoid burning at the bottom.
4. The cooked millet will retain its shape.
5. If the millet congee is thin, increase heat and cook for 5 minutes to reduce the liquid or reach the desired consistency.
6. Salt to taste.