Cooking porridge in the traditional way often takes a lot of effort, doesn’t it? Today, TasteVN will introduce you to 2 simple and quick slow cooker porridge recipes that still ensure it is soft, fragrant, and nutritious for babies’ weaning. Let’s get cooking right away!
1. Salmon Porridge in a Slow Cooker
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Preparation
15 minutes
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Cooking
1 hour 30 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Salmon Porridge in a Slow Cooker Serves about 3 small bowls
Rice 60 gr Salmon 60 gr Peas 20 gr Pumpkin 40 gr Chopped green onions A little Minced shallots 1 teaspoon Lemon juice A little Cooking oil 1 teaspoon Fish sauce 1 teaspoon Salt A little
How to choose fresh ingredients
How to choose fresh salmon
- For whole salmon, to buy fresh fish, you should observe the eyes; if the eyes are clear, slightly bulging, not cloudy or yellowish, then it’s fresh.
- Additionally, you should choose fish with a bright and shiny body, skin tightly adhered to the body, without peeling or scratches.
- For filleted salmon, you should buy pieces that are bright pink or orange with good elasticity. When you press your finger on the fish meat and the indentation quickly returns to its original state, this indicates the fish is still fresh.
- Moreover, good fish meat will have a dry surface, the fat lines on the fish’s body are uniformly colored and bright, not dull or with brown spots.
How to choose quality pumpkin
- For whole pumpkins, you should choose those with a green or yellow-orange skin (depending on the variety), and when pressed, they feel firm.
- Additionally, pay attention to choose pumpkins with a fresh stem, about 2 – 3cm long, and the surface may still have some sap, indicating that the pumpkin has just been harvested and is still fresh.
- For pre-cut pumpkin pieces, you should select those with yellow or orange flesh, bright color, dense pulp, and few seeds because this indicates high quality, soft, and sweet pumpkin.
How to choose and buy quality pea
- To have the best source of nutrition, you should buy fresh peas instead of dried or frozen types. You should choose young pods that are light green, shiny, and crisp, and the peas should not be prominently visible as these are still young, which will yield soft and sweet peas.
- If you cannot buy fresh peas, you can opt for frozen peas. Note that you should carefully check the expiration date as well as the packaging date on the package and choose reputable brands!
Tools needed
How to make Salmon porridge using a slow cooker
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Preparing the salmon
First, rinse the salmon with diluted salt water mixed with a little lemon juice for about 1 minute to eliminate the fishy smell. Then, rinse the salmon with clean water.
Next, remove the skin from the salmon and cut the salmon into small cube-sized pieces.
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Prepare other ingredients
For the pumpkin, peel it, rinse it briefly with water to clean. Then, proceed to dice the pumpkin.
If you buy fresh peas, after purchasing, rinse them briefly with water and then shell them to get the peas inside. After that, rinse them clean again and let them drain.
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Cook the white porridge and steam the ingredients
You wash the rice clean and then put 60g of rice along with 600ml of water into the inner pot of the slow cooker. Next, pour water into the slow cooker until it just touches the level mark. Then, place the inner pot inside and cover it.
You successively place the salmon, pumpkin, and peas into the stainless steel steaming tray (that comes with the pot), set it on top of the inner pot and cover it again. Plug it in and turn on the cooker, select the porridge cooking mode and let the cooker cook for an hour and a half.
Note:- If you don’t add water, the pot will not work!
- You should add water to the correct level mark because if the water runs low while cooking, the pot will also make a noise to alert you.
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Stir-fry salmon and puree vegetables
After about 1 hour, when the salmon, pumpkin, and peas are soft, remove the steaming tray and let the porridge cook for another 30 minutes.
In the meantime, place the peas and pumpkin in a handheld blender, you can add 1 – 2 tablespoons of water to make it easier to blend.
Next, use a spoon to mash the salmon meat. Then, heat a pan on the stove, add 1 teaspoon of cooking oil along with 1 teaspoon of shallots, and fry until the shallots are golden, then add the salmon and stir well; you can add 1 teaspoon of fish sauce for a more fragrant and flavorful salmon.
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Completion
After 30 minutes, when the porridge is soft and cooked, scoop the porridge into a pot or small pot, add the sautéed salmon, the mixture of pumpkin and peas along with about 100ml of water and stir well.
Cover and cook the porridge on low heat until it boils again to finish. If you want to encourage your child to eat herbs, you can also add a little finely chopped green onion for aesthetics and aroma!
Note:- Due to the small capacity of the pot, the porridge will be a bit thick after cooking. Therefore, you need to add more water to thin the porridge, which will make it easier for your child to eat.
- The amount of water added can be adjusted depending on your child’s ability to eat solids!
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Final Product
Salmon porridge cooked with a slow cooker is soft and fragrant with rice cooked to a perfect consistency, sweet salmon, and creamy mashed pumpkin and peas that are enticing.
A bowl of porridge with a harmonious combination of the flavors of nutritious and delicious ingredients will surely make your child enjoy their meal!
2. Beef Porridge using Slow Cooker
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Preparation
30 minutes
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Cooking
1 hour 30 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Beef Porridge using Slow Cooker For 2 small bowls
Rice 30 gr Beef tenderloin 80 gr Asparagus 6 stalks (100gr) Chicken thigh mushrooms 2 pieces (100gr) Dashi broth 350 ml Cooking oil 1 teaspoon Coriander 1 sprig Minced garlic 1 teaspoon Salt/pepper a little
How to choose fresh ingredients
How to choose fresh beef
- To buy fresh beef, you should prioritize choosing pieces of beef that are bright red intertwined with white marbling and the fat is bright yellow.
- Additionally, when you gently press the beef with your hand, if it feels firm and has good elasticity, does not feel sticky, and there is no unpleasant or abnormal odor, then it is good beef.
- Conversely, you should avoid buying pieces of beef that are pale green or dark red, with dark yellow fat, showing white spots on the meat, and feeling mushy and slimy when touched.
How to choose fresh and delicious asparagus
- To buy fresh and delicious asparagus, you should choose stalks that have a bright green color, gradually darkening at the tips, with sturdy, straight stems that are not broken or wilted.
- You should not buy asparagus stalks that are yellowing, have black spots on the stems, are waterlogged at the base, or show signs of mold.
- Additionally, you should also avoid choosing asparagus that has started to flower as they are old and will be tough and fibrous when cooked.
What is Dashi? Where to buy it?
- Dashi is the general name for various types of broth used in Japanese cuisine. Dashi broth comes in many types such as Kombu seaweed Dashi or Dashi made from vegetables, dried fish, chicken bones, shiitake mushrooms, etc.
- Depending on the dish and its intended purpose, the cook will choose the appropriate type of Dashi to bring out the characteristic aroma, allure, and rich flavor.
- You can buy Dashi broth at supermarkets that sell imported Japanese products, stores specializing in baby food, or you can order it from e-commerce sites.
- In addition, for more peace of mind, you can also make Dashi broth at home using the recipe below from TasteVN!
Tools Required
How to Make Beef Porridge in a Slow Cooker
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Wash rice and cook plain porridge
First, rinse 30g of rice in a sieve until clean. Then, pour the rice along with 350ml of Dashi water into the slow cooker. Turn on the cooker, cover it, and select the porridge cooking mode.
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Prepare and marinate the beef
In the meantime, rinse the beef with cold water. Then, slice the beef into thin pieces, making sure to cut against the grain, and proceed to chop the beef finely.
Next, add 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of cooking oil, and a little pepper to the bowl of finely chopped beef and mix well. Let the beef marinate for about 5 – 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Note:- To save time, you can also buy pre-ground beef, but buying fresh meat and chopping it yourself will ensure better safety.
- You should choose beef tenderloin instead of brisket or chuck as it will be more tender, making it easier for your baby who is starting to eat solids.
- Depending on your baby’s eating ability, you can chop it finely or leave it a bit coarser!
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Prepare other ingredients
After purchasing, you rinse the chicken thigh mushrooms with diluted salt water to remove impurities. Next, you proceed to dice the mushrooms.
For the asparagus, rinse it with clean water and then soak it in salt water for about 2 minutes to clean off all impurities. Then, cut off about 2 inches from the base and also slice it thinly crosswise.
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Stir-fry the beef
Place a pan on the stove, add 1/2 teaspoon of cooking oil and the remaining minced garlic, sauté until the garlic turns golden and fragrant, then add the beef.
Stir-fry over high heat until the beef is cooked, the meat is firm, and it turns dark brown, then add the diced chicken thigh mushrooms, and continue to stir-fry for about 5 more minutes until the mushrooms are cooked.
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Completion
You add the sautéed beef and mushrooms into the cooking rice porridge pot, stir well. Cover the lid and let the pot cook for another hour, then add the chopped asparagus.
After 30 minutes, you open the lid, check to see if the porridge is soft. If not, let it cook for another 30 minutes! The total cooking time for the porridge is about one and a half to two hours.
When the porridge is soft, you scoop it into a bowl and sprinkle a little cilantro on top for decoration, and it’s done!
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Final Product
Porridge cooked in a slow cooker will reduce the evaporation of broth, resulting in a soft and delicious final product that retains much more nutrition compared to traditional cooking methods.
The porridge is soft and melting, and the beef along with the mushrooms and asparagus retains its sweet flavor, ensuring that it provides sufficient nutrients to help the child grow strong and healthy.
So TasteVN has introduced to you 2 ways to cook porridge using a slow cooker that are delicious and nutritious for your baby. Try cooking and make some wonderful porridge dishes for your beloved little one to enjoy!
