Brown Rice Baby Food Recipes - Age for Introduction to Baby:
(4)6-8 Months
Please remember that the current recommendation for introducing solid food to a baby is 6 months of age!
The Goodness of Brown Rice for Baby Food or Baby Cereal
Brown rice is highly nutritious as it is not processed and stripped of it's natural goodness.
Brown Rice:(1 cup cooked)
VITAMINS:
Vitamin A - 0 IU
Vitamin C - 0 mg
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - .18 mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - .04 mg
Niacin - 2.9 mg
Folate - 8 mcg
Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.
MINERALS:
Potassium - 84 mg
Phosphorus - 162 mg
Magnesium - 84 mg
Calcium - 20 mg
Sodium - 10 mg
Iron - .8 mg
Also contains small amounts of manganese, copper and zinc.
PROTEIN:
Protein - 5.03g
When can I introduce and make Brown Rice Baby Food Recipes for my baby?
Homemade Brown Rice cereal is able to be introduced to baby from 4 months of age. Please remember that the current recommendations for starting baby on solid foods is 6 months of age!
How to store Brown Rice for Baby Food or Baby Cereal
Whole grains may be stored for several months in a cool dry place. If the temperature becomes extremely warm in your home, you may wish to store the grains in the refrigerator. Milled whole grains, such as rice flour, whole
wheat flour, oat flour and the like, should be stored in an air tight
container and preferably in your refrigerator. You can store them in a cool dry place however ensure that you check on the status of the grains if you use them infrequently!
Since these are whole grain "flours", the natural oils that come from the grain may become rancid without refrigeration. When purchasing any type of milled whole grain, it's always best to buy smaller quantities to ensure that your whole grains are used prior to them going rancid.
The same "rules" apply for to rice powder or oat powder, barley powder etc. that you have ground (milled) for your homemade baby cereal. You should store it in an air tight container, in a cool dry place but preferably in the refrigerator if your home is warm.
The best way to cook Brown Rice for Baby Food or Baby Cereal
You may use a rice cooker for the quickest and no-fuss perfect brown rice all the time. Using a rice cooker means that you will need to puree the already cooked whole rice grains however! When cooking the "rice powder" for homemade baby cereal, use 1/4 cup of powder per 1-2 cups of water - more or less as you see fit. The key is to whisk whisk whisk as you are cooking to avoid clumping!
Why Brown-But Not White-Rice is One of the World's Healthiest Foods - courtesy of Whole Foods
The difference between brown rice and white rice is not just color! A whole grain of rice has several layers. Only the outermost layer, the hull, is removed to produce what we call brown rice. This process is the least damaging to the nutritional value of the rice and avoids the unnecessary loss of nutrients that occurs with further processing. If brown rice is further milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, the result is a whiter rice, but also a rice that has lost many more nutrients. At this point, however, the rice is still unpolished, and it takes polishing to produce the white rice we are used to seeing. Polishing removes the aleurone layer of the grain-a layer filled with health-supportive, essential fats. Because these fats, once exposed to air by the refining process, are highly susceptible to oxidation, this layer is removed to extend the shelf life of the product. The resulting white rice is simply a refined starch that is largely bereft of its original nutrients.
Basic Rice Recipes:
BROWN RICE CEREAL (make it Organic by using Organic Brown Rice!)
1/4 c. rice powder (brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water
1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
3. Serve warm.
Add pureed fruits and vegetables to baby's homemade brown rice cereal - ensure that you have followed the 4 day wait rule!
BANANA 'CADO BROWN RICE MASH
1/2 c. cooked homemade brown rice cereal
1/2 mashed banana
1/2 mashed avocado
2 tablespoons of applesauce
Mix and mash all ingredients together and serve slightly warmed! Freeze or refrigerate leftovers.
Baby's Quick&Easy Rice & Fruit Pudding (8 months+)
1 cup cooked rice
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup dried fruit such as figs, raisins, dates, apricots
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1-2 tbls brown sugar or maple syrup
1 tbls butter
1 ripe banana, roughly chopped
1. Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring ingrediens to a gentle simmer and continue to simmer, on low for about 1/2 hour or until the milk has absorbed.
Rice Bowls: adaptations from usarice.com for babies 8 months+
You may puree or chop all ingredients together if your little one is not into chunks and textures yet!
Has baby moved onto "table foods" and is now refusing those pureed baby food cubes? Use your baby food cubes that are leftover and mix into these rice bowl ideas!
Asian rice bowl: ½ cup cooked brown rice, diced spring onions (to taste) 1/2 cup diced and cooked chicken breast or sauteed tofu, pinch of ginger. (Add or use leftover cubes of fruit, meat and/or a veggie too)
Vegetarian rice bowl: ½ cup cooked brown rice, ½cup cooked chopped broccoli, ½cup cooked chopped carrots, 1/2 cup sauteed tofu, garlic powder, basil & pepper (Add or use leftover cubes of fruit and/or a veggie too - for ex. add a cube of sweet potato or squash)
Texas rice bowl: ½ cup cooked brown rice, ½cup diced tomatoes, ¼cup chopped onion, ¼cup diced bell pepper, 1 cup drained black beans, 1 tablespoon pepper jack cheese
Breakfast rice bowl: ½ cup cooked brown rice, ½cup sauteed mushrooms, ¼cup sauteed & diced bell pepper, 2 ounces chopped all natural ham, 2 diced hard-cooked egg yolks. (Add or use leftover cubes of fruit and/or a veggie too - for ex. add a cube of applesauce and omit the peppers and mushrooms!)
Foods Good to Mix With Brown Rice:
Fruits, vegetables, yogurt and meats are all good foods to add and mix with brown rice homemade baby cereals!
Visit our Combinations page to see more Homemade Baby Food Combination Ideas
