Easy Chickpea Simmer for Baby’s First Foods
Easy Chickpea Simmer for Baby’s First Foods
Perfect for a 2-Year-Old’s Meal: Nutritious Simmered Chickpeas, Easy Homemade Baby Food Recipe
Today, I’m sharing a special recipe for our toddler’s meal: a delicious and highly nutritious simmered chickpea dish. With its perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavor, it’s a fantastic side dish for both babies and adults!
Main Ingredients- 2 cups dried chickpeas (uncooked)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice syrup or barley malt syrup
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
When soaking the dried chickpeas, it’s best to start with a large bowl or pot. As the chickpeas absorb water and swell, their volume increases significantly. If you use a small container, they might overflow or you’ll have to transfer them to a larger one mid-soaking, which can be inconvenient. Using a generously sized bowl from the beginning will make the process much smoother.
Step 2
Chickpeas take a long time to soak, so soaking a larger quantity than you need for one meal is economical and practical. Once soaked, rinse them thoroughly, drain, and portion them into freezer bags. Frozen soaked chickpeas are incredibly useful for cooking rice, making fried rice, or incorporating into baby food. They’re a convenient staple for busy parents!
Step 3
After soaking the chickpeas for at least half a day or overnight, rinse them several times until clean and drain them well. During soaking or boiling, the skins might peel off naturally. You can discard these skins. Don’t worry about trying to remove them intentionally; they are safe to eat! When boiling the chickpeas, ensure they are cooked for at least 30 minutes. This ensures they become tender and soft, making them easy for babies to eat.
Step 4
Skim off any white foam that rises to the surface while boiling the chickpeas. This helps to create a cleaner broth and a better-tasting final dish. This little bit of effort makes a big difference in flavor!
Step 5
Once the chickpeas are tender, you can simmer them in the remaining cooking water. However, for a cleaner taste, I prefer to drain the boiling water. Then, add one cup of water (about 150-200ml) to the pot, along with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and begin simmering. Since my 29-month-old loves a touch of sweetness, I’m adding 2 tablespoons of rice syrup (or barley malt syrup) instead of sugar to create that perfect sweet and savory balance.
Step 6
Simmer over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced to about a tablespoon. Once the liquid is almost gone, turn off the heat. For a final touch of nutty aroma, add a few drops of sesame oil. Stirring after turning off the heat helps to preserve the fragrant aroma of the sesame oil.
Step 7
Lastly, prepare your sesame seeds for a nutty flavor and texture. You can lightly crush them by rubbing them between your palms or briefly grind them in a small blender or mortar and pestle. This releases a richer aroma, enhancing the overall taste of the dish. Sprinkle the crushed sesame seeds over the simmered chickpeas for a visually appealing and delicious finish.
Step 8
This carefully prepared simmered chickpea dish makes a simple yet excellent side for your baby. While soaking and boiling take time, considering it’s a complete food packed with nutrients for your child’s health, the effort is truly rewarding. This is a baby food recipe that made me feel proud, and I encourage you to give it a try!
