Baby and toddler recipes
🥣 Aduki bean and squash congee
A silky East Asian rice porridge simmered with aduki beans, squash and ginger. Gentle and warming, it offers plant iron from the beans and is perfect for new eaters.
Makes about 6 baby portions
Ingredients
- 60g Jasmine rice (rinsed)
- 1/2 tin Aduki beans (no added salt, drained and rinsed)
- 200g Butternut squash (peeled and diced)
- 2 thin slices Ginger (removed before serving)
- about 900ml Water
- 1 Spring onion (very finely sliced, optional)
- a few drops Sesame oil
Method
- Put the rice, squash, ginger and water in a large pan.
- Bring to the boil, then simmer gently, partly covered, for 45 minutes, stirring often, until the rice has broken down.
- Add the aduki beans and cook for 10 to 15 minutes more.
- Remove the ginger slices.
- Blend smooth or mash, and stir in a few drops of sesame oil.
Serving it to your baby
At 6 months blend until smooth. From 7 to 9 months mash lightly with the beans squashed. Toddlers can enjoy it topped with a little spring onion and soft scrambled egg for extra protein.
For the rest of the family
Season adult bowls with soy sauce, white pepper, chilli oil and fried shallots.
Storing and reheating
Cool quickly (within an hour), then keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Freeze in small portions for up to 1 months and defrost overnight in the fridge. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through, stir, then let it cool before serving. Never reheat more than once. Rice needs extra care: cool within an hour, keep in the fridge for no more than 1 day, and reheat only once until steaming hot. Freeze within an hour of cooking.
Weaning with OBubba
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Questions parents ask
What is congee?
Congee is a slow-cooked rice porridge eaten across East and South East Asia. Its soft, smooth texture makes it ideal for babies.
Are aduki beans good for babies?
Yes. These small red beans are soft when cooked and offer iron, folate and protein.
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).