Beef and Radish Porridge
Beef and Radish Porridge
[Stage 2 Early Baby Food] Making Beef and Radish Porridge
Today, we’re making ‘Beef and Radish Porridge,’ a Stage 2 early baby food. Around 6 months of age, babies can become deficient in iron, so it’s crucial to supplement with iron-rich foods like beef or chicken daily. Just like how a hearty beef and radish soup is refreshing and savory for adults, babies might also enjoy the unique, clean taste of beef. First, prepare 10g of beef. It’s best to choose lean cuts like tenderloin or top round, free from excess fat. If buying fresh beef from a butcher, ask them to slice it thinly, which makes cooking much easier. Personally, I prefer using ground beef from Hansalim, which is antibiotic-free. Since it’s already ground, it’s convenient to measure, and being frozen, it stores well for a long time. (However, if you prefer not to use frozen ingredients, the choice is yours, mama! :D)
Ingredients- Rice powder 10g (12g rice)
- Beef (lean cut, e.g., tenderloin, top round) 10g
- Radish 5g
- Water 200ml
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To remove any gamey smell from the beef and create a cleaner broth, soak 10g of beef in cold water for about an hour to draw out the blood. For safe and hygienic baby food preparation, it’s best to do this soaking in the refrigerator.
Step 2
Prepare the radish: Since radishes are large, cut it into manageable pieces. Peel off the skin (the green and white parts) using a peeler, rinse thoroughly, and measure out 5g (about the size shown in the photo). Cut the radish into 3-4 pieces. In a pot, bring about 2 cups (approximately 400ml) of water to a boil. Add the radish pieces to the boiling water and cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove the radish and set aside.
Step 3
Place the blood-drained beef into a pot with the measured 200ml of water. Bring it to a strong boil over high heat. Once the water is bubbling and the beef starts to cook, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. This will help extract the flavors into the broth. Be mindful of the cooking time to prevent the porridge from becoming too thick due to excessive water evaporation.
Step 4
Strain the cooked beef broth through a fine-mesh sieve to obtain a clear liquid. Do not discard the beef solids remaining in the sieve, as they will be used in the baby food!
Step 5
Combine the cooked beef and blanched radish in a blender. Add a small amount of the reserved beef broth to help with blending. Since the amount of beef is small, it won’t blend smoothly on its own. Ensure you add some broth to achieve a smooth consistency.
Step 6
Place the pot with the rice powder (10g) and the beef broth over medium-high heat. Immediately begin stirring continuously with a spatula to prevent sticking. It’s crucial to keep stirring without stopping to avoid burning the mixture.
Step 7
As you stir, you’ll notice small bubbles forming around the edges and the mixture starting to thicken. Once it begins to bubble, reduce the heat to low. Add the blended beef and radish mixture (including any broth used for blending) and continue to stir. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring gently.
Step 8
Periodically check the consistency by lifting the spatula. The ideal texture should be slightly thicker than water but still flow smoothly, similar to the consistency of ketchup. The porridge will thicken further as it cools, so remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches the desired flowing texture.
Step 9
For this early stage of baby food, it’s important to strain the mixture. Place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl. Pour the porridge into the sieve and gently press it through with the spatula. Any larger pieces of beef that remain in the sieve can be mashed further with the spatula and mixed back in. Alternatively, if your baby is getting used to textures, you can mix these small chunks directly into the porridge. As your baby progresses, you can gradually omit the straining step.
Step 10
Your ‘Beef and Radish Porridge’ for Stage 2 early baby food is ready! Divide into 50g portions and store in the refrigerator for consumption within two days. It’s also a good practice to offer a small amount of cooled, boiled water alongside the porridge to aid hydration and digestion, as even this thinner porridge can be taxing on a baby’s developing stomach. Just like adults need nourishing meals like chicken or duck soup in the summer to stay energized, your baby can benefit from nutrient-dense foods like this beef and radish porridge to stay healthy. Try making this delicious meal for your baby and watch them enjoy it!
