If your B doesn't mind the texture, you don't need to blend. But my B refuses to eat the congee if it is not blended until very smooth, so I am still blending everything together. I bought a small blender at Bumps to Babes in Central Pedder Building, the brand is NScessity Baby Essentials Mini Food Processor, around $ 2XX, not bad.
I have not given my B any salt yet, and I probably will try to hold it back as long as possible.
I have tried making the congee with fish, pork or chicken. After it is ready, I add either fresh blended spinach, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, egg yolk, or sometimes baby food bottles green peas, squash, sweet corn + chicken, pumpkin + potatoe + beef etc.