Homemade Instant Baby Food Cereal : Easy and Travel Friendly

Homemade instant baby food cereal is a must-have item in your pantry. Though I thoroughly enjoy cooking variety of babyfood for my twins, sometimes I am too tired to make the effort. Also when I am away at work, and my twins’ caretaker is preoccupied with other tasks, this is a safe and quick alternative while still being healthy and nutritious.

This is my third batch of homemade cerelac , and hence is tried and tested. You can feed it to babies 6months and above. 

You can make a month’s supply in one hour and store it. It stays well in air-tight containers for 2-3 months , in cool and dry storage conditions.

It is an excellent option while travelling as once stored in air-tight container, it can be easily transported in your travel bag.

I avoid commercial baby food preparations as they contain sugar and anything out of a box is not a great option for baby’s routine meals.

Homemade Instant Baby Food Cereal : Rice and Moong Dal

Ingredients:

1. White Rice (Parboiled) : 1 cup (uncooked)
2. Moong Dal/ Green Bengal Gram (split and husked) :1 cup (uncooked)
3. Water : Enough to soak

Method:

1. Wash and Soak both Rice and Moong dal in separate vessels in enough water to cover them, for 4-6 hours.
2. Drain the water and spread both the ingredients separately on trays.Keep the trays in sunlight and let them sun-dry.Usually takes 2-3 hours on a bright and clear sunny day.
3. Dry roast both the ingredients on low heat separately in  heavy bottom wide based pan. Keep stirring to avoid burning and sticking to pan.
4. Keep roasting until the grains become stiff and opaque. On taking a bite, the rice grains should be crunchy and crisp. Dal when well done will shrink in size , darken in colour and exude a wonderful aroma (just like the roasted moong dal namkeen commercially available).
5. The dry roasting will take 15-20 minutes for each set of grains.
6. Once done, remove from heat. Spread in another clean vessel (both separately) and let it cool.
7. Grind the grains in a blender one by one to a powdery consistency. Sieve the powdered grain for smoothness.
8. Store in air-tight container.

 Preparation: For 90 ml feed

• At home: 

1. Take 3 tablespoon of powdered rice / moongdal in a saucepan.
2. Add 90 ml or 1/3 cup of boiled water in the bowl and mix.You can add more water to make consistency of your choice.
3. Cook for 1-2 minutes on medium heat.
4. Keep mixing to avoid lumps.
5. Instant homemade baby cereal is ready to serve in under 2 minutes. Check the temperature of the food before feeding your baby.

• While traveling :

1. Take 3 tablespoon of powdered rice / moongdal in a bowl.
2. Add 90 ml or 1/3 cup of boiling hot water (not warm) in the bowl and mix well to avoid lumps.
3. Let it stay covered for 5 minutes.
4. Instant homemade baby cereal is ready to serve in 5 minutes. Check the temperature of the food before feeding your baby.

• To make Khichdi: Take 1 1/2 tablespoon powdered rice and 1 1/2 tablespoon powdered moongdal for  1/3 cup (~90ml) of boiled water . Repeat the steps as mentioned above. 

• Optional Addition : While cooking at home , you can add 1tbsp ghee to enhance flavour. 
• Cooking in saucepan gives better results and creamier consistency, hence use the second method only while travelling. 
• In younger babies , starting solid foods, cooking in saucepan with runny consistency will be easier for them to digest .

Have you read our Ultimate Baby Food Recipe List? Click here ! It has 30 + healthy baby food options. 

Travelling with a baby ? Here is the all inclusive checklist before you head for your wanderlust trail? 

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Happy Parenting!