Why multi grain khichdi is best for the baby?

As a parent: you always want to give your baby the most nutritious food that will give him/her strength and immunity to fight against bacteria and other infections. When it comes to baby, it is better to go for the age-old food patterns followed by our nanis and dadis. They preferred to make wholesome and healthy baby foods at home rather than buying packed food from outside. Not to doubt their home-made food certainly had more nutrient content than the market packed food.

One of such baby food that is packed with healthy nutrients and is equally light and tasty for your baby is the Multi grain Khichdi. Khichdi is considered one of the nutritious foods for your baby and it is one pot dish with power packed with adequate iron and protein. It provides plenty of energy, protein and folic acid to your baby.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

½ tbsp ghee
½ tsp cumin seeds
¼ tsp asafetida
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp barley
1 tsp horse gram
1 tsp red lentils
1 tsp toor dal
1 tsp split chick pea grains
1 tsp spilt black gram with skin
1 tbsp of moong dal of spilt green gram
3 tbsp broken rice or khichdi rice
1 cup Chopped vegetables ( carrot, tomatoes, beans, peas)
Cinnamon stick ¼ stick
1 clove
Salt as per taste
Coriander powder
2 ½ – 3 cups water

How to prepare:

1. Mix all the grains in the bowl and soak them in the water for few hours.
2. First heat ghee in a pan. Add cumin seeds, clove, asofoetida and turmeric powder. Saute them well by stirring for few seconds till flavor is released
3. Add chopped vegetables to it and mix them well. Let the vegetables cook for two minutes. Add salt and little coriander powder as per the taste.
4. Add multi grain mix and stir the content thoroughly by mixing them well. Add water and cover with a lid and let it cook well.

You can also pressure cook the whole dish by giving one or two whistles and then leave it on simmer flame. If your baby likes to have tangy taste; then squeeze few drops of lemon to the dish.

Benefits of multigrain Khichdi:

1. It is power packed with iron
2. The dish is great source of dietary fiber and contains nutrients, vitamins and mineral including significant level of vitamin B, manganese and selenium.
3. Dietary fiber aids digestion and important part of good heart health.
4. It contains copper, zinc and phosphorous that is needed to build strong bones.
5. Magnesium aid in building strong teeth.
6. The dish is rich in iron and protein.
7. It is immunity booster to the body and has perfect blend of all essential nutrients beneficial for the growing child.
8. As it is mixture of all the pulses and is healthy one pot dish for your baby.

9. Sometimes your baby feels fussy while eating vegetables and pulses. This dish solves the very purpose as it has all the essentials – pulses, vegetables and rice in proportionate quantity with awesome taste – mostly liked by babies and toddlers.
10. It is easy to eat as all the items are well mashed and mixed so that baby can eat it easily.

Can be given anytime, even if your baby is skin, this dish can be easily given as it is light and healthy. Multi grains Khichdi is best for building inner strength of your baby. It makes the foundation of your baby strong such that he/she can face and fight against outside pollution and other infections.