Sweet & Savory Radish and Napa Cabbage Stir-fry with Perilla Seeds for Baby
Sweet & Savory Radish and Napa Cabbage Stir-fry with Perilla Seeds for Baby
Salt-Free Baby Food: A Delicious Combination of Sweet Radish and Nutty Perilla Seeds – Radish & Napa Cabbage Stir-fry
Introducing a baby-friendly dish, ‘Radish and Napa Cabbage Stir-fry with Perilla Seeds,’ which is naturally sweet and nutty without added salt, making it a favorite for little ones. While radish and napa cabbage are often considered separately for baby meals, this combination, enhanced with the rich flavor of perilla seeds, creates an unexpectedly delightful taste. I was initially hesitant, wondering if my child would enjoy such a mix, but after tasting it at my mother-in-law’s, my child finished a whole bowl of rice with just this side dish! If there are any ingredient combinations you haven’t tried for your child because they didn’t appeal to you, consider giving them a go. You might discover a new favorite for your little one!
Main Ingredients- 3 leaves of Napa Cabbage
- 1 piece of Radish (approx. 5cm thick)
- 2 Tbsp Perilla Oil
- 2 Tbsp Ground Perilla Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients for the Radish and Napa Cabbage Stir-fry with Perilla Seeds. You will need 3 leaves of Napa Cabbage, 1 piece of Radish (about 5cm thick), 2 tablespoons of perilla oil, and 2 tablespoons of ground perilla seeds.
Step 2
Slice the radish and napa cabbage into similar sizes and thicknesses. This uniformity in shape makes the dish visually appealing when stir-fried. You can slice the radish with a knife, but using a mandoline slicer will make it thinner and more consistent, saving cooking time. Thinly sliced vegetables cook better and bring out their natural sweetness.
Step 3
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of perilla oil. Start by stir-frying the radish over high heat, then reduce to medium, and finally low heat, adjusting the heat as you go. Be careful not to burn the vegetables by managing the heat properly. Stir-fry until the radish becomes slightly translucent.
Step 4
Add the napa cabbage and stir-fry together. Continue cooking until the cabbage wilts. Once most of the moisture has evaporated, pour in about 1/2 cup of water (slightly less than full). Cooking the radish until very soft will enhance its natural sweetness. Since this is a salt-free dish for babies, the focus is on bringing out the inherent flavors of the ingredients.
Step 5
Cover the pan and let it simmer over medium-low heat until the radish is tender. If the radish is still hard, add a little more water and continue cooking until soft. As the radish cooks, its natural sweetness will develop.
Step 6
Once the radish is cooked through and tender, stir in 2 tablespoons of ground perilla seeds. Mix well. The addition of ground perilla seeds adds a wonderful nutty aroma that babies typically love.
Step 7
Finally, for an extra nutty flavor, you can sprinkle a small amount of toasted sesame seeds on top. Toasted sesame seeds are optional but add a nice touch and enhance the visual appeal.
Step 8
Check to ensure the radish and napa cabbage are very tender and soft. They should be easy for babies to chew without any difficulty. While it might take a little longer to cook, focusing on thoroughly cooking the vegetables will result in a delicious baby side dish.
Step 9
Tonight, I prepared this simple yet nutritious ‘Radish and Napa Cabbage Stir-fry with Perilla Seeds’ using just a few ingredients from the fridge. Although it’s a vegetable-focused dish, the combination of the radish’s sweetness and the perilla seeds’ nuttiness was a guaranteed hit with my child. Seeing my child eagerly pick up spoonfuls of the stir-fry and exclaim, ‘Mommy, it’s sweet!’ filled me with satisfaction.
Step 10
This concludes the detailed guide on how to make ‘Radish and Napa Cabbage Stir-fry with Perilla Seeds,’ a salt-free side dish for 17-month-old babies. This recipe is perfect for when you have leftover vegetables in the fridge and need a quick, delicious baby meal. While it’s tasty with summer radish, winter radish is said to have an even deeper sweetness. It seems that children often lead us to discover new favorite dishes we might not have initially considered ourselves. I hope this recipe is helpful for all parents out there!
