If you’re looking to up your baby’s intake of healthy fat, for brain development and other nutritional benefits, give this baby cereal a try. It’s made with coconut milk, which is naturally rich in lauric acid, the same fatty acid found in breast milk. Thick and creamy with a pleasant coconut flavor, it’s the perfect warming dish on cold winter days. You can even make it for the rest of the family, as a breakfast porridge or side dish. Or, add cinnamon, cacao nibs or chia seeds to turn it into a healthy grownup dessert!
I use brown rice instead of traditional white rice in this recipe; but note that you must soak the rice in order for the texture to come out perfectly. Soaking brown rice is the key to soft, sticky rice.
It’s delicious served with fruit, veggies or animal products like fish when baby is ready. It’s decadent with cinnamon and banana. I also like to mix it with vibrant fruit purées like blueberry, cherry, mango or strawberry. The pop of color on the creamy white background is great for the visual development in palate training your baby.
Ingredients
1 cup brown rice (or jasmine, brown basmati, brown long grain, jubilee or black rice)
2-1/2 cups water
1 can organic unsweetened coconut milk
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
Directions
- Soak brown rice for 24 hours, changing water 3 times (use hot water each time).
- Rinse and cook brown rice according to package directions, using fresh water.
- Stir in coconut milk and cinnamon. (Cereal can be served to older babies after this step. For younger babies, continue to next step.)
- In blender or food processor, puree mixture, adding additional coconut milk or hot water to thin to desired consistency.
Note: This is a very thick dish. iI you don’t have a powerful blender, work in small batches or you’ll burn out your motor!