Khichri (Lentils and Rice with Garden Veggies Puree)

 

In India, lentils make a major part of our diet. We consume it almost everyday and cook it in different ways. They are highly nutritious (with Protein, Vitamin B, Folate, Fiber, Magnesium and Iron) and a wonderful addition to your baby’s menu. These red lentils are easier on the baby’s tummies as well.

This recipe is loaded with the goodness of sweet potatoes, butternut squash and golden beets making this naturally sweet and creamy. The Bay leaf adds a wonderful new aroma to the puree.

Things to remember when making/ serving the puree:

• Remove the Bay leaf before making the puree.
• Lentils and Rice tend to absorb the water so make sure to adjust the consistency before serving it to your baby.

Ingredients:

• Red Lentils – ¼ cup
• Rice – 2 teaspoons
• Salt – a pinch
• Turmeric – a pinch
• Bay Leaf - 1
• Ghee – ¼ teaspoon
• Sweet Potatoes – 1 cup, peeled, cut into big cubes and washed
• Butternut Squash – 1 cup, peeled, cut into medium cubes and washed
• Golden Beets – 2/3 cup, peeled, cut into small cubes and washed

Directions:

• Wash the Rice and Lentils. 
• Transfer to a pressure cooker with 2 cups of water and the vegetables.
• Add the Salt, Turmeric, Bay Leaf and Ghee. Mix and cover with the lid.
• Let it cook for 3-4 whistles on medium heat.
• Once the pressure drops, remove the bay leaf and puree in your blender or Nutri bullet.
• Adjust the consistency of the puree before serving to your baby.
• This puree can be kept in the fridge for 1-2 days.

Try these Baby Food purees as well:

• Carrot Puree/ Carrot Avocado Puree
• Apple Puree/ Apple Mango Carrot Puree
• Triple Berry (Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry), Banana and Oatmeal Puree
• 5 Minute Purees – Blueberry Avocado Banana Puree and Cherry Mango Banana Puree
• Chole Chawal (Chickpea curry with Rice)
• Sweet Potato, Kidney Beans, Purple Carrots and Green Apple
• Breakfast Purees – Pear Oats Plums Blueberries and Pear Oats Apricots Mangoes
• Chicken and Barley Puree with Sweet Potato or Butternut Squash
• Avocado Purees – Avocado Cherry Banana Puree and Avocado Orange Banana Puree
• Sweet Banana – Banana Avocado Pineapple Puree with Yogurt and Banana Golden Beet Mango Puree
• Butternut Squash, Strawberry and Golden Beet Puree
• Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree
• Green Power: Green Beans Puree/ French Beans and Pear Puree with Yogurt
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Zucchini Carrot and Cilantro
• Kiwi, Carrot, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree
• Carrot, Apple and Ginger Puree
• Apple Mango Kiwi Banana Puree with a dash of Vanilla Extract
• Diary of Finger Foods - 2
• Ginger Beef with Veggies
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Golden Beets, Acorn Squash, Peas and fresh Parsley
• Plum Apple Avocado Puree
• Red Lentils Puree with Turnip, Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes and aromatic Cloves
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Carrot, Yellow Squash, Apple and Oregano
• Green Beans and Asparagus Puree
• Green Beans, Green Apple and Avocado Puree
• Pear, Turnip, Collard Greens, Purple Carrot with aromatic Star Anise
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Carrot, Tomato, Pear and Mint
• Blueberry Strawberry Peas Avocado Puree
• Collard Greens, Yellow Squash and Sweet Potato Puree
• Sweet Potato, Mango and Avocado Puree
• Turnip Pear Broccoli Yellow Squash
• Mangsho Bhat (Chicken Rice with Potato and Tomato)
• Pot Roast
• Garlic Tomato Pasta Puree
• Chicken Broccoli Fried Rice/ Casserole
• Beef Beetroot Yellow Squash Puree
• Collard Greens, Pineapple and Apple Puree
• Mango Banana Coconut Cream (with Yogurt) Puree
• Rice Pudding with Apple and Banana
• Chicken, Yellow Squash, Apple with Nutmeg
• Chicken, Mango and Broccoli Penne
• Kiwi, Green Beans, Peas, Strawberry and Blueberry Puree
• Beef Pasta with Spinach, Tomato and Carrot
• Zucchini Pear Mango Purée
• Kiwi, Green Apple and Banana Puree
• Apple Blueberry Puree
• Beef, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Puree
• Butternut Squash and Kiwi Puree
• Diary of Finger Foods
• Plum Puree
• Plum, Blackberry Puree with Yogurt
• Plum Cherry Mango Puree
• Carrot Peach and Cherry Puree
• Diary of Finger Foods -1
• Beef Barley Stew for the Babies
• Cardamom Chicken with Vegetables for the Babies
• Pear Banana Oatmeal
• Mangoes Cherries Peach Acorn Squash and Mint Puree
• Carrot, Peach, Butternut Squash puree with Clove
• Purple Carrots, Butternut Squash and Dried Apricots
• Chicken, Acorn Squash, Golden Beet and Ginger Powder