4+ Months

Between 4-6 months your baby starts to show signs of readiness for solid food. Your baby’s primary source of nutrition is still breastfeeding or formula but we recommend that the first solid is mixed with breastmilk or formula. The best choices for this stage are rice cereal and fruit/veggie purees. While purees may seem difficult to make they are quite simple! All you need is a good hand food mill and electric food mill. Both food mills are great for all fruits, veggies, and meats. The electric mill will take you beyond toddlerhood and at My Little Pakora we even use it to make Salsa!

We suggest South Asian table food to be introduced at 7-8 months. A baby’s taste buds are still immature and the taste of spice may be too strong. It’s best to ensure your baby is introduced to foods in their natural state. Therefore, there is no need to add salt. We want our pakoras to acquire the natural taste of food—the building blocks for a healthy adulthood!

RECIPES:::

Anika’s Apple:::

What you need:::

• 1 Large Organic Apple
• 1 Cup Water

Let’s get started!

1. Wash, Peel, and Cut Apple into quarters
2. Use 1 quart pot and add 1 cup water
3. Turn heat on medium/high and add apple
4. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 10-15 minutes until apple is soft
5. Remove from pot and cool
6. Use hand food mill or electric to puree
7. Feed baby, enjoy!

Tip::: To make apples for Toddlers: add a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and 1 clove to the simmering apple.

As your baby grows you can add this puree to cereals like oatmeal. At My Little Pakora we love serving our toddlers unpureed, lukewarm apples. The toddler recipe is a warm treat for any day!

Serves 1 little pakora

benefits::: loads of flavonoids to boost immunity, fiber, vitamin c

Mommie’s Kitchari::: Mixture of Rice and Lentils

What you need:::

• 1 Cup Moong Dal (Split Yellow Moong)
• 1 Cup Basmati Rice
• 5 Cups Water
• 2 Pieces of Fresh Organic Ginger 1/2-1 inch in size
• 1 tsp Oregano Seed (ajwayan)
• 2.5 tbsp organic olive oil or ghee (clarified butter)

***For Added Nutrition use 1 cup organic veggies of choice (examples include baby carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, and/or broccoli) chopped up***

Lets get started!

1. Wash moong dal and basmati rice separately and mix together
2. Use 2-3 quart pot and add 5 cups water
3. Add mixture with large slices of ginger to pot
4. Cook on medium heat till it comes to a boil, reduce heat and partially cover pot for 10 minutes, stir and completely cover over low heat for 10-12 minutes until liquid evaporates and the mixture has a consistency of cooked oatmeal. Turn off heat.
5. In a separate small pot on low heat add olive oil or butter. Add and roast oregano seed.
6. Add oil and roasted oregano to kitchari, stir until evenly distributed. Remove the large pieces of ginger before serving your pakora!

Eat with a side of plain organic yogurt, serves 2-3 pakora mommies & daddies (little pakoras included)

Special Tip::: Add the veggies you want after 15 minutes of the Kitchari cooking. for tiny pakoras puree the Kitchari in an electric mill for a smoother consistency.