Moong dal for babies: Nutrition facts, tasty and healthy recipes, health benefits and much more

At seven months, your baby is ready to start eating solids. At this stage, moong dal is an ideal transition food. Moong dal for babies is perfect because its composition is similar to mother's milk. Here's a chart showing its nutritional qualities:

Moong dal benefits for babies

• The high protein content in moong dal can do wonders for your baby's hair, skin, nails, and growth.
• The green husk is rich in soluble fiber which promotes digestion.
• It has resistant starch which also helps digestion.
• Ayurveda says that moong dal increases blood circulation because it is rich in iron.
• For the same reason, it prevents anemia (low blood count).
• The folate in moong dal boosts bone marrow and brain function.

Introducing your baby to moong dal in solid or semi-solid form can be a challenge because the taste and texture would be new to your little one. However, moong dal water for babies is considered second-best to breast milk because of its texture and nutritive value. This makes it an ideal weaning food.

So, begin with moong dal water, and slowly transition to soft-cooked moong dal dishes. You have moong dal recipes for soup, porridge, khichdi, and halwa. Here are a few to get you started:

Moong dal recipe for babies (age 7 months to 1 year)

1. Stewed moong dal

Preparation time: 15 to 20 minutes

Method

• Soak the moong dal for half an hour and drain the water.
• Pressure-cook with 2 cups of water, salt, turmeric powder, cumin powder, and half a teaspoon of ghee for 2 whistles.
• Use a fork or large spoon to mash the dal. The end result should be lumpy, not puree-like.
• In a small pan, heat half a teaspoon of ghee. Once the ghee is hot, turn the flame off.
• Add the remaining ingredients carefully. Mix them well and reheat if required, on a low flame.
• Add the tempered ghee to the mashed dal.

2. Juicy greens and moong

Preparation time: 15 to 20 minutes

Method

• Wash the spinach leaves thoroughly and chop them finely.
• Soak the split moong dal for half an hour and drain.
• Heat a pressure cooker and add the spinach, soaked moong dal, water, turmeric powder, and salt.
• Cook the mixture for three whistles.
• In a pan, heat the ghee and turn the flame off.
• Add the asafoetida and mix.
• Stir the tempered ghee into the cooked spinach-dal, and stir well.
• Add more water to make it runny.
• Serve lukewarm.

3. Moong and carrot porridge

Preparation time: 15 to 20 minutes

Method

• Soak the moong dal for half an hour and drain.
• Put the drained moong dal, chopped carrots, apple, and water into a pressure cooker and cook for three whistles.
• Heat ghee in a saucepan and turn off the flame. Add the powdered cardamom and stir.
• Stir the tempered ghee into the dal mixture. It should appear creamy in texture.

4. Moong-apple meal

Preparation time: 10 to 15 minutes

Method

• Soak the yellow moong dal for half an hour and drain.
• Put it in a pressure cooker with the chopped apple, water, ghee, and salt. Cook for 2 whistles.
• Mash the cooked mixture to a lumpy texture.
• Allow it to cool and stir in the lemon juice just before feed-time.

Moong dal recipe for babies (age 1 year)

1. Moong rolls

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Method

• Add all the other ingredients to the moong dal, and grind in an electric mixer.
• Add enough water to give it a batter-like consistency.
• Heat a pan and spread the batter on it very thin.
• Turn it over before it gets crispy.
• Spread some butter on it and roll it tightly.

This can also be served as finger food to your child. Refrigerate any excess batter and use as required.

2. Steamed moong cakes

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Method

• Soak the yellow moong dal for 2 hours.
• Drain and grind it to a fine batter.
• In a pan heat the ghee and turn the flame to its lowest.
• Now, add all the ingredients, except the carrot and curd, to the ghee and mix well.
• Use a whisk to add the curd to the batter.
• Strain the tempered ghee and add it to the batter along with the carrots.
• Steam the mixture in an electric steamer, or a stove-top one (an idli steamer can be used) till a toothpick inserted into the steamed cakes comes out clean.
• Let them cool before you serve them to your toddler.

3. Spicy moong cookies

Preparation time: 30 to 45 minutes

Method

• Soak the moong beans in hot water for an hour and drain.
• Put the soaked moong beans, ginger, garlic, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala, salt, baking powder, and ghee into a blender. Add a little water and blend till you get a smooth thick batter. It should be of cookie-batter consistency.
• Preheat the oven to 218°C.
• Fold in the coriander leaves, spinach, onion, and garlic into the batter.
• Use an ice cream scoop to place portions of the batter on a greased baking tray.
• Glaze with oil and bake for 20 minutes.

4. Moong diamonds

Preparation time: 30 to 45 minutes

Method

• Soak the moong beans for 2 hours and drain.
• Add water, bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.
• Immediately drain and rinse it in cold water.
• Put the moong beans, ginger, coriander leaves, and green chillies into an electric grinder and grind coarsely.
• Transfer the mixture into a bowl.
• Add the onions, paneer, peas, and capsicum. Mix well.
• Add cornflour, cumin powder, and salt and shape them into cookie-sized diamonds.
• Glaze with egg wash and roll each piece in the breadcrumbs.
• Heat the oil in a pan and shallow-fry the diamonds till they are golden brown on both sides.
• Cool before serving.

Moong dal recipe for babies (age 2 years)

1. Moong veggie rice

Preparation time: 30 to 45 minutes

Method

• Heat ghee in a pressure cooker and turn the flame to its lowest.
• Add the cumin, cloves, and bay leaves. Fry them lightly.
• Add the carrots, beans, and ginger and saute for 3 minutes.
• Add the rice and saute for 3 more minutes.
• Pour in the water.
• Stir in the washed and drained moong dal, chilli, salt, and turmeric.
• Close and cook for 3 whistles.
• Sprinkle the pepper and check other seasonings.

2. Moong dal sandwich spread

Preparation time: 25 to 30 minutes

Method

• Cook, mash, and cool the moong dal.
• Add the onion, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, dill, turmeric, and pepper.
• Mix well, and adjust seasoning.
• Refrigerate in an airtight container.
• Spread it on bread or on chapattis for a tasty and healthy meal.

3. Moong dal pudding

Preparation time: 30 to 45 minutes

Method

• Wash and soak the yellow moong dal for 2 hours and drain.
• Put it in a blender with the water and blend into a smooth paste.
• Soak the saffron (if being used) in 2 tablespoons of milk.
• Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
• Add the blended paste, sugar, and milk, and stir until the moong dal is cooked well.
• Keep stirring until the mixture attains a khichdi-like texture.
• Add the soaked saffron and milk, and cardamom powder and keep stirring till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.

These recipes are guaranteed to stimulate your baby’s taste buds. They’ll help avoid the struggles that often happen at mealtimes as your baby is transitioning to solid food, and growing and exploring new flavors. The nutritive value of moong dal is retained in these recipes while ensuring that your baby is introduced to a variety of textures and tastes.

Important: Please consult your baby’s pediatrician before starting her on solid foods. The first time you add a new ingredient to her diet, watch out for digestive problems or allergies.