All three mommies in the Chai and Nappies team believes in homemade food for our kiddos. Right from the time our kids turned six months old and we started with solid food, we have ensured we gave them only homemade food and refrained from introducing packaged or processed food.
One of the tried and tested food we introduced to our kids when they turned six months old was this homemade cerelac. It is a very traditional recipe, handed down from generations and shared between us.
We all know of the store-brought cerelac, and this homemade cerelac is, honestly, nothing like it. IT’s a much healthier version, using simple wholesome ingredients and is very easy to prepare. It can be prepared in small quantities and stored. We do not prepare large batches of this, because this recipe will definitely not include any preservative and hence, cannot be stored for a longer period of time.
This homemade porridge or cerelac is made using several grains and dal. It can be given to babies six months and above, however, we will always recommend you check with your pediatrician before introducing any food to your baby. Also, make sure you do an allergy test for each individual ingredients, before starting your baby on this porridge. Also if you want a baby feeding chart for 6 month plus baby then CLICK HERE.
Store-bought cerelac has only one advantage – it is easy and hassle-free to make. But, so is this recipe, once you have prepared the powder.
Easy food is not necessarily safe food for your kid. By now, we are all aware of the fact that these packaged food (even if they are meant for babies), contain so much preservatives in them, to increase their shelf life. Ultimately, all of these preservatives are absolutely not good for your baby’s gut system.
Again, have you ever tasted the store-bought cerelac? If you have, then you know how tasty that stuff is! I mean I would eat it for breakfast and dinner every day! That’s the magic of adding additional and artificial flavors - something we should totally avoid.
Homemade cerelac is safe, organic (if you use organic ingredients), can be made in small batches so no chances of getting spoilt, and eventually you will save a lol of money without putting your child’s health at risk.
Need I say more?
Benefits of homemade cerelac
Wash the rice, moong dal, masoor dal, dalia and almonds separately
Soak them for minimum one hour
Drain each of them and dry them under a fan or direct sunlight until the entire moisture is gone
Once dried, roast the ingredients separately
While roasting either the dal or the rice, add the methi seeds as well
Once they are roasted, cool them completely
Now blend them into a fine powder using your mixie or blender.
Sieve the powder using a fine mesh
Store the powder in an air-tight container
Take one tablespoon of the mix in a clean saucepan
Add 2 cups of water and whisk it well, to ensure there are no lumps
Now place the pan on a low flame and stir continuously
Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the mixture thickens and is cooked completely
Serve it warm and not hot
Hope you try this recipe and if you do, do not forget to let us know if your LO liked it or not.
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