Healthy Veggie Khichidi For kids..;)(12 months Onwards)

Nothing can be more nutritional than a veggie khichidi for children, the good thing about it is the variations you can make with it.

With the onset of the day i set out making breakfast for my daughter(normally the same which everyone at home has), but the big question for my 14 month old toddler was what would she love for lunch..?? most mothers would agree with me, that what to make is a question which haunts almost all mom's.
Toddlers are picky at this stage,they can't stop themselves from exploring the brand new world around them.They would be quite irritated if you put them up on the highchair, or even if you try spoon feeding them.
Well mummies, Take heart - this stage of baby feeding, while quite challenging, it will soon pass. Let your baby be your guide,try not to get frustrated9 be observant of your child's likes & dislikes). It's important for baby to decide the foods she wants to eat. Before you know it, your baby will be eating all the adult foods and enjoying adult meals.
As with your 12 month old, continue to expand baby's palate with new flavors. Experiment with new spices (8 months old onwards)& new flavorful combinations. Offer your little foodie a yummy chicken curry for example.
Pasta, veggies, and fruit should all be soft cooked and possibly mashed with a fork or masher.(Bananas need only be mashed.)Meats & proteins such as egg yolk, should be cooked and pureed or chopped into small soft bits. If your offering Tofu, you need not cook it first. Remember,your baby may not have his/her molars until sometime around the 12-18 month age range.Ensure foods should be cooked enough to be easily mashed between the gums.
Well coming back to my story, I quickly ran through my refrigerator to check on what was available since even one small delay in schedule's of feeding would be more enough to bring down the house and play havoc..!! An irritated child could be quite a big problem..!!
Anyways, i found two flowers of fresh broccoli,fresh green peas, some carrots, & finally tomatoes & potatoes.
i quickly fished out some of all the veggies, and dished up this one..what bliss when she had all of it...!!
So let's move on with the recipe:
Ingredients:

1. Rice: 1/2 cup(about 100 gms or less, washed thoroughly).
2. Moong Dal: 1/4 cup ( washed thoroughly).
3. Olive Oil/ Butter/Ghee: 2 Tbsp(choose what you like).
4. Jeera: 1 tsp.
5. Broccoli: 1 whole( separate the florets,depending upon the size & taste the quantity could vary).
6. Carrot: 1/2 pc (roughly chopped into small cubes).
7. Potato: 1 Small sized( peeled and roughly chopped into cubes).
8. Tomato: 1 small sized( roughly chopped).
9. Fresh Green peas: 3-4 Tbsp(Green peas can be easily replaced by beans or any other veggie of your choice if fresh is not available).
10. Salt: To taste.
11. Water: Enough to cook nice and real soft.

Method:

• Wash the rice & dal thoroughly and set aside.
• Take some Olive oil/butter/ghee anyone of your baby's choice in a pressure cooker directly, heat on medium flame, splutter jeera and add the rice and dal allow to fry well, next add the veggies and stir fry them, begin with potatoes & carrots, green peas & finally tomatoes and last broccoli.
• Cook for about 3 - 5 mins & allow it's raw taste to go.
• Add salt & water, allow the water level to reduce a bit and then close the cooker, pressure cook for 5 mins(about 3-4 whistles).
• Food is ready to be served warm (if your baby eats spicy you could add a bit of black pepper along with jeera while tempering).
• Watch your baby eat happily & enjoy..;)
• Some children also like this recipe along with toppings of yogurt(hung curd is the best option), you could also top the food to tempt your baby with yummy, yummy butter or pour  some desi ghee and watch your child's mouth water.

So Mummies happy feeding..;) & keep me posted.