Baby Food: Long Beans and Pork Congee

Many people have asked me: What do you feed your baby?

Mostly, I cook a simple rice congee for her lunch and dinner. She's had beef, pork, fish, liver, hairy marrow - no allergies so far, thank God! But as you mothers out there know, this isn't always possible; occasionally I resort to baby jar food (Earth's Best seems to be the baby's favorite). But we try to cook as a rule of thumb. I try to stretch one cooking session over 2-3 meals; cooking in the afternoon while the little one is napping, and she eats that for dinner and lunch the next day.

This is her absolutely favorite congee - I know when she starts kicking her little legs. It's colorful, fragrant, and full of flavor - everything little ones like! Long beans are also rich in iron and very nutritious. It is so delicious that I always cook some extra for myself...

I love watching my little girl eat.

LONG BEANS AND PORK CONGEE
(serves 2 baby meals)

A - Rice
4 tbsp rice, rinsed thoroughly

B - Vegetables
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 carrots, diced into small baby bite-sized cubes
2 handfuls of long beans, cut off ends and into small baby bite sizes

C - Meat
2 oz minced pork
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp light soya sauce

*****

A - Cover the rice in a saucepan with 1" of water. Bring to a boil and lower heat to simmer.

B - In a small wok, heat the oil. The way to test when the oil is hot enough is to place your hand just above the surface and count to 5. If your palm gets hot, it's hot enough. Add the diced long beans and carrots and stir-fry for 3 minutes.

C - While the rice and vegetables are cooking, marinate the minced pork for 5 minutes. When the vegetables are done, add the marinated minced pork and continue to stir-fry until the meat is cooked. Set aside.

When the rice has cooked down to a thick consistency (you can add more water if needed), spread the stir-fried mixture on the surface of the rice. Cook covered for a further 5 minutes.

When the congee is well and truly done, mix everything with a spoon and then, depending on the age of your child, blend with a hand-held immersion blender to the appropriate consistency. Serve with a smile and song.