5 Healthy Indian Winter Foods For Babies With Recipes
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Winter is all about slipping into your blankets and having your favorite comfort food. The case is no different when it comes to babies, as they too enjoy different foods during this time of the year. As it is important to take extra care of your little one this season, make sure they are fed with a nutritious and healthy diet. As chances of catching the flu or common cold during winters are higher, it is crucial that their food helps them boost their immunity and strength. Also, if your kid has recently started having solid food, then you might want to get a little creative with their diet. Below, we have listed down our pick of the 5 best Indian foods that are easy to make and will give your baby the nourishment they need this winter.
1. Spiced Milk With Nuts
Not sure how to include dry fruits in your kid’s diet? Then this recipe might help you with that. The spices in it will boost their energy and keep them warm.
Ingredients:
- A cup of milk
- Cashews, almonds, and shelled pistachios – 10 each
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon of nutmeg powder
- ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder
- 2 to 3 strands of saffron
- Sugar (to taste)
Directions:
Blend all the above nuts in a mixer to a fine powdery texture. To this, add and mix the cardamom and nutmeg powder. Store this mixture in an airtight jar. Warm 1 cup of milk in a pan, making sure it is set to a temperature right below its boiling point. Add some sugar to it as per your taste. Next, add the nut mixture to the milk and stir it well until it turns to a thicker consistency. Now turn off the heat and transfer the drink into a cup. You could garnish it with a few strands of saffron and a pinch of nut powder on top.
2. Cheesy Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
Apart from being one of the most versatile food groups out there, eggs are also packed with protein and other essential vitamins and minerals that aid your kid’s development and help strengthen their body.
Ingredients:
- 2 whole eggs
- ½ tablespoon of unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ tablespoon of water
- Salt (as per your taste)
- Pepper (as per your taste)
Directions:
Break the eggs into a bowl and whisk them. Add water followed by salt and pepper to it and mix well. Heat a pan and add the butter. Pour the whisked egg mixture into the pan once the butter has melted completely. Now start stirring for 3 to 5 minutes until they start forming soft curds. You could take it off the heat once you are happy with the consistency of your scrambled eggs. Now add the shredded cheese to the eggs and serve hot.
3. Garlic And Butter Broccoli
It can be quite an ordeal to get your little one to have his broccoli. Albeit rich in vitamins and antioxidants, most kids just don’t seem to like the vegetable, no matter what. Well, not anymore!
Ingredients:
- A bunch of broccoli (about ½ kg)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon of unsalted butter
- Salt (as per your taste)
- Pepper (as per your taste)
Directions:
Tender the broccoli by boiling it in lightly salted water. Heat a pan and add the butter. Once the butter melts, add the broccoli and garlic to the pan. Now cook it for a few minutes until it’s done. Season it with salt and pepper to your taste, and voila!
4. Lentil And Vegetable Soup
Having vegetables can get pretty boring for little kids. And that is why we bring you this delicious and wholesome lentil and vegetable soup recipe. Apart from nutritive goodness, this soup comes packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cut and mixed vegetables (preferably potato, carrot, peas, and beans)
- 4 tablespoon of yellow lentil (moong dal)
- 1 or 2 cloves of garlic
- ¼ tablespoon of cumin seeds
- ¼ tablespoon of ghee or butter
- Pepper and salt (as per your taste)
Directions:
Add the vegetables and lentil along with water into a pressure cooker and cook it until it is soft. Take it off the heat and let it cool for a while. Now blend the mixture into a smoothie or soup consistency. Pour the soup into a pan and reheat it. Add butter or ghee along with garlic and cumin seeds. Add salt and pepper for extra flavor.
5. Badam Or Almond Halwa
We have obviously saved the dessert for last. Apart from being the perfect sweet treat, the almond in it offers strength and energy to the body. It is also packed with carbohydrates and protein.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of almonds
- ¾ cup of milk
- ¼ cup of ghee
- ¾ cup of sugar
Directions:
Soak the almonds overnight or for around 4 hours. This makes it easy to peel their skin off. Add the peeled almonds into a blender or mixer along with the milk and sugar and blend it to a coarse consistency. Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a pan and add the almond paste to it. Stir the mixture while adding the remaining ghee into the pan. Take the mix off the heat once it softens and starts to thicken. You do not want the halwa to be too sticky or too wet.
There you have it – our list of the most healthy and yummy winter food recipes for your little munchkin. If you have other delightful recipes that you would like to share with us, please let us know in the comment section below.
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