Pig's small intestine (duodenum)

The first length of the pig's small intestine, sold in pale tubes. It is what 及第粥 is built on. It has to be cleaned through before anything else: push a clove of garlic or a chopstick in at one end and run it the whole way down to press the contents out, then rinse under running water. Cleaned badly it turns bitter, and once it is in the congee there is no saving it.

Cautions: read first

• Pork offal. Cook it right through, buy it the day you cook it, and do not keep it overnight.
• Medical evidenceOffal. Higher in cholesterol and purines than muscle meat; gout sufferers should go easy.

Preparation

Pushed clean with a garlic clove or a chopstick, rinsed, and cut in 2 cm lengths.

Availability in Australia

Easy to find

Pairs well with