Urad Dal is considered to be the most nutritious lentils. Urad Dal khichdi is a powerhouse of nutrients with high protein and calcium. That is the reason it is highly used in India to make dishes like Idli, Vada, Dosa in south India and Dal Makhani, Panchratan Dal in north India.
Urad Dal is a wonderful food for feeding babies as well. It can be given in the form of idli since it is prepared using the fermented batter. Fermentation will increase the health benefits.
Since it is not advisable to add salt to babies food before they turn 1 years of age, you can add spices to make the food interesting.
Some babies prefer the sweet taste of apples. Adding a little bit of apple sauce just before feeding your baby khichdi is a nice way to sweeten the dish without sugar. Apples are excellent food for babies and it cures stomach disorder, constipation. Apple Urad dal Khichdi will make a yummy first food for babies, it is a great alternative to the regular moong dal khichdi.
Urad Dal Khichdi for babies: Sneak in nutrition
Whole skinned urad dal is more nutritional as compared to regular split urad dal. Black urad dal is rich in Iron, folic acid. It makes the bone stronger. I prefer to use the skinned urad dal to prepare this dish. Red rice is also a good option instead of white rice as it is loaded with protein, antioxidants, fibers.
I have added apple to the khichadi to give it a naturally sweet taste, you can replace it with a vegetable or fruit of your little ones choice. Pumpkin and carrots are also great options. Use homemade ghee to enhance both taste and nutrition value.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Red rice
- 2 tbsp whole skinned urad dal
- 1 cup
- A pinch of Turmeric (haldi)
- 2 to 3 tbsp puree apple.
- 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- 3-4 curry leaves
How to Prepare Urad dal Khichdi
Wash the red rice and dal together 2-3 times. Soak the grains for a couple of hours and drain excess water. For very young babies like 6 months old, it is advisable to soak grains at least 6 to 8 hours before cooking as it helps to make the food more easily digestible.
Take a pressure cooker or a hot pot and heat 1 teaspoon of ghee and add cumin seeds allow it to splutter now add curry leaves, asafoetida and turmeric.
Add the drained rice and dal and saute it for 2-3 minutes in ghee.
Add 1 cup of water and pressure cook for 2 whistles in high flame and 2 whistles in low flames.
In order to prepare apple puree peel and roughly chop the apple. Take a separate pan and cook with 4-5 teaspoon of water Stir occasional for 15 minutes. Once the apple is soft allow it to cool and blend it in a food processor.
Once the pressure goes off mash the rice and dal. Add apple puree and mix well and serve to your baby.
Enjoy!
- 2 tbsp Red rice
- 2 tbsp whole skinned urad dal
- 1 cup
- A pinch of Turmeric (haldi)
- 2 to 3 tbsp puree apple.
- ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- 3-4 curry leaves
- Wash the red rice and dal together 2-3 times. Soak the grains for a couple of hours and drain excess water. For very young babies like 6 months old, it is advisable to soak grains at least 6 to 8 hours before cooking as it helps to make the food more easily digestible.
- Take a pressure cooker and heat 1 teaspoon of ghee and add cumin seeds allow it to splutter now add curry leaves, asafoetida and turmeric.
- Add the drained rice and dal and saute it for 2-3 minutes in ghee.
- Add 1 cup of water and pressure cook for 2 whistles in high flame and 2 whistles in low flames.
- In order to prepare apple puree peel and roughly chop the apple. Take a separate pan and cook with 4-5 teaspoon of water Stir occasional for 15 minutes. Once the apple is soft allow it to cool and blend it in a food processor.
- Once the pressure goes off mash the rice and dal. Add apple puree and mix well.
- Enjoy!
