Baby Food: Chicken Porridge

As Cadence turn 8 months old, I decided it was high time I introduce porridge to her. Super super excited as this would be considered my first time preparing home made chicken stock and to be frozen for her daily consumption. I've never done this for Ezra since he's a fussy pot. And he always settled for all the teething biscuits like Rusk whereas, Cadee would never take Rusk. But nevermind that. Cadence took porridge well and loves it. I couldn't be more happier about it.

To kick start, I bought Avent food storage cups as I had to make a batch and to freeze it. I do not have the luxury of time like some SAHM (stay at home moms) where I could prepare her food fresh on a daily basis. I envy those moms that could coz I really wish I could do it. But since I can't, freezing them up isn't so bad after all. Homemade to me is the key here. I decided to make my chicken stock in advance and freeze them up. My stocks made are usually for a week's worth. It's fairly simple to make and ingredients can be of anything that you like, so you can add more or omit ingredients as you like. Like onions, celery, tomatoes, potatoes or pumpkins. I choose turnips and carrots and they're usually sweet by nature. And the key to turnips is that you've gotta boil them for a certain time in order for the taste to be in the stock. I avoided onions as I worry it might cause some her to be gassy. But I did introduce much later when she was a year old. Another story then. Here's the recipe and pictures.

Homemade Chicken stock
 Ingredient:
> 1/2 chicken or 1 whole chicken bones and a quarter chicken
> Baby corn
> Turnip (cut into cube)
> Carrots (cut into small chunks)
> Chinese spinach (Bayam/Yin Choi)

Method:

1. Place the chicken, baby corn, turnip and carrots. And simmer for about 2 hours.
2. 30 mins before turning off the fire. Put in the spinach and boil till soft.
3. Once chicken stock is done. Let cool.
4. To store, minced the carrots, spinach and chicken to small pieces. I do not keep the turnip and corn as it'll be too tough for baby to chew.

Avent storage cups for chicken stock

Chicken Stock

Frozen chicken stock

What's needed. A slow cooker, a double boiler ceramic pot, chicken stock

Blended rice

Chicken stock and a cup of rice

Blended rice washed and cleaned

Rice washed and cleaned, chicken stock, all dumped in the double boiler ready to cook.

My double boiler ceramic

Tadah! Cooked! After 2 hours

Up close Done

The result: Chicken porridge with carrots, chicken and spinach bits