How to Make Organic Baby Cereal

Have you ever wondered how long that box of baby cereal has been on the grocer's shelf? Have you ever made baby cereal and were disgusted with the paste that was the result? Make your own Organic Homemade Baby Cereal!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Coffee Grinder or Food Processor
• Organic Whole Grains such Brown Rice, Oats or even Barley
• Pots or Pans
• Storage Containers for the grains and the homemade cereal

1. Select the grains - Organic Short Grain Brown Rice cooks up more soft than does long or medium grain rice. The only caveat is that it may become sticky and "pasty" when pureed so keep an watch over the rice when cooking and pureeing/blending it.

2. Add 1/2 cup of organic whole grain rice to a coffee grinder or food processor and grind the grain until a powder is formed.

3. Transfer the powder to an airtight container and grind more of the grains to create a store of ground grains.

4. Store the milled organic grains in a cool dry place. If the temperature becomes extremely warm in your home, you may wish to store the grains in the refrigerator.

5. To Cook the Cereal
   
   Take 1/4 cup of the organic rice powder and add it to 2 cups of boiling water on the stovetop.

6. Cook the organic rice powder, whisking constantly, for approximately 10 minutes or until a thin, runny cereal had been formed.

7. Allow cereal to cool and then take out a small serving for baby. Mix in fruits or veggies and/or yogurt. Serve and store the rest!

Tips & Warnings

• WHISK WHISK WHISK - whisking as the rice cereal is cooking is important!
• Add pureed fruits or veggies to the cereal if desired
• Add formula or breast milk to thin the organic baby cereal if needed.
• Freeze in ice trays for up to 3 months if desired
• Store the cereal that you have made in the refrgerator for up to 72 hours maximum!
• You must whisk whisk whisk to avoid clumping
• Add more water while you are cooking the cereal if it becomes too thick
• Do not freeze the baby cereal if you have used previously frozen breast milk to thin the cereal; breast milk should not be refrozen
• Cereal may become a bit rubbery when thawed, warm and then reconstitute with pureed fruits, pureed veggies, yogurt (8 months +) or more liquid as needed
• This baby cereal must be cooked! Unlike commercial baby cereal, the powder you mill for homemade organic baby cereal has not been precooked and dehydrated; you cannot simply add water and serve!

Resources

• WholesomeBabyFood.com Cereal Recipes