Oats fig porridge

“Out in my garden one fine day,
With my cam , I went to click ..
I clicked it left, I clicked it right,
I clicked it well , one fine day ! ”
“Out in my garden ..” is my kid’s favourite rhyme and Oats is Nilaa’s favourite meal 🙂

This is my first ever ‘food clicking’ experience .. I moved the table in and out looking for apt angle and lighting and just clicked as many snaps as possible .. Any guess when I stopped clicking ?? I could hear that when I got a perfect snap .. Naw, thats not correct !! But, when that beautiful blue bowl broke to pieces when I was moving the table for the next click 😉 Shhhh! Let’s slyly move to the recipe 🙂

Preparation

1.  Clean mixie jar with a dry cloth so that there is no moisture. Grind Oats flakes to powder.

2.  Cut out the centre of dried fig as they contain more seeds and hope you don’t wish to see more seeds in your baby’s stool next day 😉 This step could be skipped if prepared only for adults.3.  Blend the fig well in mixie. In a pan, add oats, fig and milk.4.  Mix it well with a large spoon/ladle. If you find some accumulated figs, smash it amidst the spoon and the pan walls so that no lumps remain.

5.  Switch on the stove in high flame for half a minute and then simmer. Keep stirring for 5+ mins or until your desired consistency.If you feel it is too thick for the baby, mix some boiled cow’s milk and serve immediately.

Tips/Tricks

• Once cooked, transfer to a bowl immediately, else it would be thickened more.
• I have used instant oats in this recipe. But, I recommend using old fashioned rolled oats. Add 1/4 cup extra milk/water & cook for 5 more mins.
• You can soak fig in warm water for 10 mins for a smooth grinding. I usually make this as unplanned breakfast and so won’t have the time to soak 😉
• You shall replace fig with dates in this recipe.
• I always eat after feeding Nilaa. As it will thicken over time, I add some boiled milk(need not essentially be hot while adding), mix well and have it with fruits and nuts topping.
• For 1 year babies, first start from 1/4 of a fig and then gradually increase to 1/3, 1/2 and then 1.
• For babies below 1 year(6+ months babies), do not use fig/dates and milk.
  • Use 1 tbsp oats(powder it as in step1) with 1/2 cup water and cook for 10 mins in low flame.
  • You shall add a pinch of nuts powder, while cooking. Introduce one nut(powdered) at a time and then use a mixed powder.
  • Feed as such or add fork-mashed banana/grated apple for sweetness