Congratulations! It is finally time to wean baby onto solid foods. While baby food can be easily bought off the shelves, we all know that nothing beats homemade food that’s fresh and nutritious, and made with mom’s love. Here’s how to make ikan bilis porridge, which is rich in calcium and vitamins. Suitable for babies 8 months and above.
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Ikan Bilis Porridge
As a child, I grew up eating this (and so did many in Singapore and the region). Even though I am some 30 years past my weaning age, I still make this for myself occasionally as it reminded me of my grandmother who toiled patiently over a charcoal stove to make this for me.
Ingredients (makes enough for two meals, or a meal for a hungry baby)
1 teaspoons dried ikan bilis, soaked for an hour
½ cup rice
3 tablespoons spinach leaves, chopped very finely
2 tablespoons carrot, chopped very finely
3 tablespoons codfish
½ teaspoon Marmite (optional)
Method
- Discard water from ikan bilis and pat dry
- Toast ikan bilis in a frying pan (without oil) until dry and crisp
- Blend ikan bilis into a fine powder
- Add ikan bilis powder and 1.5 cups water to rice and boil on medium heat for 15 minutes
- Add carrots and simmer for 10 minutes
- Add spinach and codfish and simmer for a further 5 minutes
- Serve with marmite, if desired
*Ikan Bilis powder can be made in advance to keep. Simply increase the ikan bilis to desired amount and toast as per instructions above. Store in airtight container in fridge – it should keep well for about two months.