|
Moms and dads are always searching for exciting and healthy foods for their babies and toddlers. Most parents look for foods that will pique the interest of their child, maximize the nutritional punch in each bite and are easy to digest. In South Asia, dal (or lentils) is a popular choice by many parents for their kids. Packed with nutritional benefits, dal is high in protein, iron, fiber, and calcium. Dal is also very easy to digest, making it a great meal even when a baby is sick. Add a little ghee (clarified butter), turmeric and salt, and you have a delicious meal that your kid will surely enjoy.
Want to get your baby hooked on dal? CitySaheli answers a few “frequently asked questions” below to help you get started.
What kind of dal should I buy for my baby?
There are many different types of Indian dal, or lentils. Your best bet is either a moong dal or a toor dal. These two are most appropriate for your baby since they are the least gassy and are the easiest to digest.
Where can I buy Indian dal?
You can find almost anything in New York and Indian dal is no exception. There are at least two companies that have used Indian dal as the basis for ready-made baby foods. There are also several online and retail stores where you can buy both organic and conventional dal.
Baby Foods
1. WorldBaby Dal
2. Happy Baby: This local Brooklyn based company makes a delicious baby dhal dish using red lentils.
Loose Indian Dal
1. Organic Online
2. Conventional Online
3. Conventional: Stop by Curry Hill and pick up the lentils you would like to incorporate in your diet. Check out Kalustyans and Little India Stores
Does CitySaheli know a good dal recipe for my baby?
Indian dal can take less than fifteen minutes to make. Below is a CitySaheli recipe for quick, easy and delicious yellow dal.
Indian dal is incredibly versatile. You can add other ingredients such as kale, spinach, and rice to keep it interesting for your baby. If you have a particularly sensitive baby, you may want to mitigate the gassiness of lentils by 1) soaking the lentils in advance of cooking, 2) cooking the lentils extremely slowly, and 3) adding ginger to the recipe.
Ingredients:
· Water: 2 ½ Cups
· Skinless split Moong beans: 1 Cup
· Turmeric powder: 1/8 teaspoon
· Cayenne Powder: 1/8 teaspoon (optional)
· Salt: 1/8 teaspoon
Directions:
• Rinse beans.
• Bring the water to a boil in a heavy stock pot.
• Add all ingredients and bring to a boil again.
• Simmer on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
Make sure the dal is well boiled and mashed completely. Remember if you are using a pressure cooker, you only need to hear 1-2 whistles to know that the dal is completely cooked. After using your pressure cooker, make sure you allow the cooker to cool completely before opening to allow the lentils to fully cook. Add ghee (clarified butter) for flavor and serve. If you don’t have ghee at home, you can always make it at home using this recipe: http://www.food-india.com/ingredients/i001_i025/i007.htm
Nutritious, easy to digest, and easy to make, Indian Dal is a must for all babies and toddlers. When you’re making dal for your baby, you can also make enough for the whole family to enjoy. CitySaheli promises that everyone will love it!
| 
