Nourishing Chicken, Spinach, and Onion Porridge (Mid-Stage)
[Mid-Stage Baby Food] Nourishing Chicken, Spinach, and Onion Porridge
This is a mid-stage baby food recipe that you can safely feed your baby without allergy concerns. It’s specially formulated for babies who may have allergic reactions to cheese, egg whites, milk, or crab. Rice, a staple for baby food, helps boost energy and strengthens the spleen and stomach. Importantly, rice boasts a high digestibility rate of 98%, making it easier for babies’ developing digestive systems compared to other grains. Spinach is packed with Vitamin A, the highest among vegetables, along with Vitamin C, calcium, and iron, making it an alkaline food. Its abundant fiber content is excellent for preventing constipation, and its iron and folic acid are effective in preventing anemia. Onions, while 90% water, are rich in nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Onions are considered a natural fatigue reliever, aiding in detoxification, boosting immunity, and possessing strong antibacterial properties that help reduce harmful bacteria in the body. It’s a versatile ingredient beneficial for everyone, from infants to adults.
**Tips for Preparation:**
* **Rice:** Soaking the rice beforehand makes it cook more evenly and become softer, ideal for baby food.
* **Chicken:** Using breast or thigh meat makes the porridge tender. Ensure all bones and skin are removed.
* **Spinach:** Blanching spinach before chopping helps reduce bitterness and makes it easier to digest. Removing tough stems is crucial.
* **Onions:** Cooking onions until soft sweetens them, making them more palatable for babies.
* **Consistency:** Adjust the amount of water to achieve the desired thickness for your baby’s stage. Mid-stage porridge should be slightly thicker than early-stage but still smooth.
* **Storage:** Portion into individual servings for easy thawing and reheating.
Ingredients- Rice 30g
- Chicken (breast or thigh) 30g
- Spinach 20g
- Onion 20g
- Water 400ml
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly rinse the rice and chicken. Soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. This soaking process is crucial for the rice to cook evenly and the chicken to become tender.
Step 2
Place the soaked rice and 50ml of the water into a blender. Blend until the rice grains are about 1/4 their original size. For mid-stage baby food, it’s good to leave a little texture rather than making it completely smooth.
Step 3
Rinse the soaked chicken under running water to remove any residual blood, then pat it dry thoroughly. This step helps to reduce any gamey odor from the chicken.
Step 4
Trim the tough stems from the spinach and wash it thoroughly under running water. Blanch the spinach in boiling water for about 2 minutes until tender. Be careful not to overcook, as this can degrade nutrients.
Step 5
Once blanched, remove the spinach from the boiling water and let it cool slightly. Finely mince the spinach to about 0.3mm pieces. Mincing it as finely as possible will make it easier for your baby to chew and swallow.
Step 6
In a pot, combine the prepared chicken, onion, and 150ml of water. Simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, ensuring the chicken and onion are cooked through.
Step 7
Remove the cooked chicken and onion from the pot and let them cool slightly. Once cooled, finely mince them to approximately 0.3mm pieces, similar to the spinach. Mincing them finely contributes to a smooth texture.
Step 8
In the same pot where the chicken and onion were cooked, add the blended rice, minced chicken, minced spinach, minced onion, and the remaining 200ml of water. Stir everything together well.
Step 9
Place the pot over high heat. Stir continuously with a spatula to prevent the rice and other ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Constant stirring is key to prevent burning.
Step 10
Once the porridge comes to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low. Continue stirring constantly even on low heat to ensure the porridge cooks evenly and develops a smooth consistency without sticking.
Step 11
When the rice, chicken, spinach, and onion are all thoroughly cooked and well combined, and the porridge has reached your desired thick consistency, turn off the heat. Adjusting the thickness is important for your baby’s chewing practice; it should be thicker than early-stage porridge but still smooth.
Step 12
Let the porridge cool down completely. Once cooled, transfer it into clean baby food containers for storage in the refrigerator or freezer.
Step 13
This recipe yields approximately 3 servings of 100ml each.
