Rice is often recommended as the first grain for babies because it’s easy to digest, non-allergenic, and comes premade in a jar for convenience. Unfortunately, certain brands contain arsenic which could harm infants.
Create this delicious meal by mixing together boiled rice, sugar and ghee. This will provide your baby with all of the proteins and carbohydrates he or she requires for healthy development.
Green peas rice
Green peas rice is an easy, healthy one-pot meal that can be prepared in 30 minutes using ingredients likely already found in your pantry. Packed full of essential vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber; not to mention delicious and filling! Add additional vegetables or spices for more flavor; this dish makes the perfect meal option for busy families!
Make this delicious long-grain rice recipe using any variety of long grain rice you have on hand, pairing it with nuts that have been roasted or toasted, fresh fruits, or dried fruits to give your rice extra crunch and sweetness.
Rinse the rice well under plenty of running water to remove any starch residue, then soak it for at least 30 minutes so each grain expands and cooks evenly – and reduce the amount of water necessary for its cooking! For optimal results, soak for at least an hour if using frozen peas; otherwise use dried ones that need soaking overnight and pressure cooking with three whistles (three whistles is the minimum pressure required for them).
Heat the oil in a medium heavy saucepan over low heat and add the whole spices, saute until fragrant, before adding onions until light golden brown in color and finishing by stirring in the ghee and cooking for two more minutes.
Assemble the rice and salt. Cook over low heat until the liquid has been absorbed by the rice, and all liquid is gone. Add peas and stir. Turn off heat after five minutes, allow to stand, stir again before serving.
Add fresh chopped cilantro (pudina) as garnish if desired for extra flavor and crunchiness. You may also sprinkle some fried cashew nuts over it all for extra texture and crunch!
If you prefer making this recipe in an Instant Pot, skip the soaking step and simply combine all of your ingredients in it. Pressing saute, once hot, add the ghee, whole spices, onion and saute until translucent before adding rice, salt, green peas and cook at low pressure for 12 minutes until pressure has been released and stir or fluff with a fork until finished.
Sweet rice
Sweet rice is a beloved tradition across many Asian cultures. Perfect for special occasions and family mealtimes alike, homemade sweet rice can easily be created at home using ingredients already present in your pantry. Baby or toddler-friendly sweet rice snacks make an easy and nutritious addition to their meal. Sweet rice also doubles up well as an alternative cereal option during diarrhea, fever or teething symptoms. To create this quick and easy dish simply mix cooked rice with sugar before mixing in some saffron strands which add both color and flavor enhancement – perfect!
Glutinous rice can be found throughout South Asia to East Asia cuisines. It can be either steamed or boiled and used both sweet and savory dishes, boasting a higher ratio of amylopectin than regular white rice, giving it its sticky consistency when cooked – giving rise to its other names: glutinous, sweet or sticky rice.
Soaking rice can make its grains more digestible by eliminating phytic acid from its grain surface – something babies may find challenging to break down on their own. Furthermore, soaking can cut cooking times by up to half.
For this easy baby cereal, begin by using high quality long or short grain rice that has been rinsed and soaked for at least four hours; it’s ideal to do this overnight, if possible. After draining and rinsing with cold water, drain and rinse again with cold water before placing in a bowl with sugar added and stirring well before adding any saffron strands that you might wish to add as garnishings.
This delicious recipe is ideal for any special event and occasion, and can be served alongside various side dishes. As a dessert option, garnish it with some toasted nuts or raisins for added crunch and sweetness. Or add chopped fruit for even more sweetness and texture.
Rice porride
Congee is a deliciously warm rice porridge that can be enjoyed any time of the day, serving as an essential staple food in many Asian countries. Although different names exist such as jook, chu chow and bubur; all these dishes feature rice as the primary ingredient with water or broth added as necessary.
Rice pudding is easy and simple to make in a rice cooker, and can be prepared either plain or with other toppings such as meat, fish or other proteins for extra savory flavors. Perfect as breakfast for sick people or an indulgent comfort food when feeling under the weather; add additional ingredients such as meat or fish for even greater depth of flavor! It is a comforting and warming choice which children also tend to appreciate as a warm comforting meal option.
Recipe instructions are straightforward: combine 1 cup of rice with 8 cups of water and bring to a boil; reduce heat to simmer, and allow the grain to cook for 1 or 2 hours until its texture becomes creamy and palatable.
Once your rice has finished cooking, season to your own liking with salt and pepper to create the ideal flavor profile for this porridge dish. Feel free to add various other ingredients such as chicken, shrimp, bok choy or Chinese sausage; the end result should look best when garnished with some crunchy shallots on top!
Congee originated in China but has quickly become a widespread breakfast food across Asia. Resembling oatmeal or polenta in its ease of digestion, congee can often be served alongside meat, pickled vegetables or century eggs for added flavor.
Making baby rice cooker meals is simple and you can customize the ingredients according to your baby’s dietary needs. Choose from egg, chicken or mung bean sprout recipes; for added flavor add chiles or green onions as garnishing; if your child needs more nourishment add boiled beef or pork for more filling meal; both methods make this meal quick and simple for busy families!
Moong dal porride
Moong dal porride is a nutritional rice-and-lentil dish for babies that is suitable for breakfast or lunch, making it easy for digestion while providing healthy proteins. It is especially great for babies who may have food allergies to wheat or dairy products – however it is wise to consult a pediatrician before giving your infant anything new to try.
Start by washing and soaking moong dal, followed by dry roasting on a low flame until hot to the touch, puffy, and lightly golden-brown in color. Next add cumin seeds for faster cooking time before sauteeing chopped vegetables in ghee and adding cooked dal. Cook this mixture for several more minutes before offering to your baby as dinner!
This khichdi, created from only healthy ingredients, can be enjoyed during fasting days like Navratri or Ganesh Chaturthi, or during recovery periods for your infant during illness or recovery periods. Plus it’s simple to prepare so you’ll have peace of mind that they’re receiving an essential nutritional meal!
Use brown, quinoa or millet instead of white rice when making this delicious khichdi recipe; cooking times will differ, while water requirements should remain the same. Feel free to add vegetables for an added punch of flavor! This nutritious dish is suitable for all ages and stages of life – babies and toddlers will especially benefit from its high iron, zinc, calcium potassium content as well as being an excellent source of vitamins A & B!
This recipe is easy and can be made using either a pressure cooker, pot, or instant pot. All the ingredients are roasted in a cleanroom to eliminate germs and contaminants; organic non-GMO rice and dal are best when given to infants; furthermore it’s best to avoid foods containing MSG that could potentially trigger allergies in young children and thoroughly rinse all ingredients prior to using.