Baby food – Dal Kichidi / Rice&Dal for Babies

A traditional meal that contains essential proteins and minerals for the babies growth. This is a healthy and energetic food for babies. And one of the staple food that I feed my son daily for his lunch. Everyday I will add some different vegetables to make him not feel bored of the same taste. This is the texture I started when my boy was 6 months old. I thought of posting this before long. It was in lying my draft. Now he is 10 months old ,so I am not using the blender anymore, just mashing the food with a spoon and feeding him. Lets see the recipe.

Pottukadalai sambar / Roasted Gram Dal Sambar / Instant Tiffin Sambar

Are you bored of usual side for Idli/Dosa then this instant sambar will be a good alternative. Sambar without any dal , interesting right. Try this recipe and you will sure be amazed with the outcome. This is so easy to prepare and also tastes good. This Sambar pairs good with Venpongal / Ghee Pongal too.

The original recipe calls for some more extra tamarind, but I felt that will be more tangy for me so I reduced to my tastebuds. If  you like more tanginess then increase the addition of tamarind. Lets see the recipe….

பருப்பு சாதம் / Paruppu Sadam

This is a simple South Indian variety rice that can be made in less than half hour. This comes handy when I am not sure what to cook or there is no veggies stock in my fridge, So you can guess how simple it is. This pairs nicely with potato fry and also a great accompaniment with just papad and pickle.  And a best packed lunch recipe that your kids love to have for their lunch .Check below for step by step instructions and pictures to prepare this protein rich rice recipe.

Baby Food - Broccoli Carrot Puree For Babies

Broccoli is a good source of vitamin c and also contains beta carotene, folic acid, omega 3 and packed with many other wonderful nutrients. It can be combined  with other veggies like carrots or potatoes.

When you are introducing something new to your baby, always give in a smaller portion and then gradually increase the amount. Lets see the recipe…

Palak Keerai Poriyal / Spinach Stir Fry

This is a simple poriyal that pairs nicely with all rice items. Spinach is one of the greens that is available all time in my place. I will make either keerai sambar or keerai kootu or keerai poriyal  with this healthy green. Every single dish is a good hit at home. Moreover this green is loaded with lots of nutrients and are rich in vitamins and minerals. I consumed this green a lot when I was pregnant. Here comes the recipe..

Baby Food / Sweet Potato Puree For Babies

Sweet potatoes have lots of nutrients that makes it a wonderful choice of food for your baby. They are a good source of beta carotene as well as potassium and has a good amount of Vitamin E, calcium and folate and are high in Vitamin A . You can view the health benefits of sweet potato here.

In this puree I used only sweet potato. And you all know this itself is sweet in nature. Sometimes I used to add few banana pieces / half steamed apple or steamed carrot to make it more yummy. You can try the above combinations for your babies to make them enjoy different tastes. Now lets go to the recipe.

உடைத்தமுட்டை கறி / Egg Drop Curry

This Drop In Egg Curry is my hubby’s favourite .  One can know the special feature of this curry with its name . Yes , it is dropping the eggs in the curry and cooking it . This tastes really very yummy and the cool thing is you don’t need an extra side for this curry. We enjoyed this meal and its so comforting and a filling lunch. Have it a try and let me know your views…

Baby Food - Carrot Apple Porridge - Introducing Solid Food

When's the right time to introduce solid food to your baby? The official guidelines say you should wait until your baby is six months. But normally many of us starts to feed them at their 5th month. Some of my readers requested to share baby food recipes and I thought this is the correct time to share those as I started weaning my boy . Here is what I am feeding my baby and I believe this will help other new moms.

I started feeding solid food to Srivathsan at the mid of his 5th month. Each baby is different and unique. My elder one is completely different from my younger one. No one knows their baby better than their mother, so feed him/her if you feel they get ready to take solid food. If you are not sure then better consult your doctor about starting solid food for your baby. But never start weaning before they complete 18 weeks.

Initially I started with store bought organic baby rice and moved to Banana porridge & Apricot porridge . He liked the different tastes. Then at the mid of his sixth month  I started making home made purees. Slowly he started having them. Now I am giving Apple Banana porridge / Carrot Apple Porridge / Carrot Banana Porridge. My boy showed much interest in mixed up purees so I started mixing apples & carrots and other fruits and pureed them. As I said each baby is different, so if you wish you can also also puree the apples / carrots / banana  separately . And  I am thinking to introduce some other different  tastes to my little one and will sure share with you all soon.

I never add any extra sweetener or salt to my baby food as per my mid wife suggestion. And this can be followed till they are 1 year old , but I understand this can’t be possible as we switch to rice&dal,idlis etc.. so try to follow at least for few months initially. Now lets see how to make the porridge .

Pavakkai Masala Varuval / Bittergourd Masala Fry

This is a super healthy and delicious side for those who loves bitter gourd. First time when I heard the name of this recipe  from my mom , it sounded different as I never used coconut masala in bittergourd fry. But really this pairs wonderfully with rice items like sambar/rasam/curd rice. As you all know this veggie is loaded with vitamins , minerals and anti oxidants and is so good for diabetes . We enjoyed this dish thoroughly . Try this Masala Bittergourd Fry and let me know how it turned out for you.