Baby's First Rice Cereal

My daughter is ready to start solids and I wanted to give her homemade baby food. My pediatrician recommended that I start with baby rice cereal mixed with breast milk. I found this great recipe in my Mothering magazine that I wanted to share.

Toasted Rice Baby Cereal
short-grain brown rice
salt
water
breast milk or formula

1. Place rice in a fine-mesh strainer, rinse, and drain
2. Place the washed rice in a large skillet on burner and toast on medium heat, stirring constantly, until the rice is dry and gives off a nutty aroma (5-8 mins)
Hint: To save time I usually toast 2 cups of rice on the weekend when I have more time and I store the rice in airtight containers to be used for the rest of the week.
3. Grind toasted rice
Note: Ground grains begin to lose nutritional values within 24-48 hours. For the best nutrition grind rice just before using.
4. Mix together 2-3 tablespoons ground rice, 1/2 cup water, and a pinch of salt in a small pot.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 5 minutes.
6. To get the right consistency I mix the cooked cereal with freshly pumped breast milk until I get the consistency I want.
Note: For babies just starting solid foods, cereals should be the consistency of thick milk or thin soup. As the baby gets older, thicken the consistency.

I usually taste the cereal before I mix it with breast milk to make sure its not to salty. My daughter loves this cereal and best of all it only takes me 5 mins to make it.