Porridge mix for Infants above 7 months

Ingredients -

1. Broken / whole Kerala matta rice - 1 cup

2. Yellow moong dal - ½ cup

3. Almonds - 5-6

Cleaning and roasting -

1. Wash matta rice 2-3 times well in water.

2. Drain it and spread it on a clean cotton cloth. Allow it to dry, you can either fan dry or dry it under the sun.

3. Wash moong dal in water. Drain it and spread it on a clean cotton cloth. Allow it to dry, you can either fan dry or dry it under the sun.

4. Wash the almonds and allow them to dry.

5. Once the excess water is absorbed by cloth and it is almost dry. Dry roast each ingredient separately until the moisture is completely gone and their color changes to light brown. Do not burn them. Roast them on low flame or medium flame.

6. Allow it to cool.

Method -

1. Once the ingredients are cool. Grind it in a mixer.

2. You may not get it in a powder consistency. This depends on the mixer used.

3. Grind it as finely as possible.

4. Slightly grainy is okay.

5. Add 1-2 teaspoons of porridge powder to water and make a paste.

6. Boil ½ cup of water( depends on the consistency you need), adjust water accordingly.

7. Once the water starts boiling, simmer and add the porridge paste. Stir continuously until it gives a nice boil and is cooked well. You can add warm water to adjust consistency.

8. Let the temperature reduce to lukewarm before you serve the baby. Add melted ghee on top and serve them. Remember to check the temperature before you feed your baby.

9. Start with a smaller quantity, then increase gradually.

Things to remember -

1. If you have a nut allergy and you feel you are not sure to include almonds, then you can skip it.

2. Initially baby took time to digest breastmilk also so, any new food you introduce will take some time to adjust.

3. You know your baby better. So, adjust the quantity accordingly. Take it slow. Perseverance is the key.

4. Please do not add any taste enhancers like salt, sugar, jaggery, any other sweeteners till 1 year.

5. You know the taste of salt in your food but, your baby doesn’t know, so the baby will be okay to eat without any enhancers.

6. Salt is difficult for the babies to digest until they are 1 year.

Storage -

1. Please do not prepare in bulk so that u can keep it for months.

2. Make a small batch first. If your baby likes it, then increase the quantity next time.

3. See that, you can prepare it for 2-3 weeks. It will be good if you could make them fresh every 2-3 weeks.

4. Store in an air-tight container. Glass would be good but a steel container is also okay. Please avoid using plastic containers(doesn’t matter what kind of plastic it is made of, plastic is plastic).

5. You can keep it at room temperature.

6. Do not use a wet spoon. If you have not used it for 2-3 days then, check the powder before use.

7. You can store in the freezer as well.

Happy Parenting!