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Bubur ayam for little ones
Chicken rice porridge for babies
9m+ · Indonesian chicken rice porridge, plain and unsalted for babies, with toppings for the family
Bubur ayam is breakfast from street carts all over West Java and the rest of Indonesia: soft rice porridge topped with shredded chicken, fried shallots, crackers and sweet soy. At home, families cook one plain pot fragrant with ginger and salam leaf, take out the baby's bowl first, unsalted, with the chicken finely shredded, and add the toppings for everyone else. The baby's portion has none of the common allergens (milk, egg, gluten, peanut, tree nuts, soya, sesame, fish); the family toppings add soya and gluten. Chef's tip: cooking the rice in the chicken poaching liquid gives the baby's bowl plenty of flavour without salt.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Baby & toddler safety
- Age: from 9 months+.
- Allergens: none of the common allergens found in the ingredients. Offer one new allergen at a time, in the morning, so you can watch for a reaction.
- Texture and choking: purée or mash smoothly for 6–9 months, then soft, finger-sized pieces that squash between your fingers. Cut round foods such as grapes and cherry tomatoes into quarters lengthways, never give whole nuts, and always stay with your child while they eat.
- Under 1: no honey, no added salt or stock cubes, and no added sugar.
Every child is different. If you are unsure, especially about allergies, check with your health visitor or paediatrician.
Ingredients
For the porridge
- 9 oz boneless chicken thighsskin removed
- 1.2 litres water
- ¾ in fresh gingersliced
- 4 oz jasmine ricerinsed
For the family's bowls
- 3 tbsp crispy fried shallots (optional)
- 1 spring onion (optional)sliced
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Put 9 oz boneless chicken thighs, 1.2 litres water, ¾ in fresh ginger and 2 salam leaves or bay leaves in a large pan. Bring to the boil, skim, then simmer gently for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through with no pink and reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
22 minStep 2: Lift out the chicken and set it aside. Add 4 oz jasmine rice to the broth and simmer, stirring often, for 30 minutes, until the grains have broken down into a thick, creamy porridge.
30 minStep 3: Shred the chicken finely with two forks, checking carefully for any bones or gristle. Remove the ginger and leaves from the porridge.
Step 4: Spoon your baby's portion into a bowl before any seasoning goes in, stir in a spoonful of finely chopped chicken and mash to soft lumps. The common mistake is seasoning the pot first; season only the family's bowls. Cool to just warm before serving.
Step 5: For everyone else, season their bowls to taste at the table, then top them with the rest of the chicken, 3 tbsp crispy fried shallots and 1 spring onion.
Step 6: Cool leftover plain porridge quickly, cover and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to a month. Reheat with a splash of water until piping hot, then cool before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 165 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 24 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bubur ayam for little ones take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of boneless chicken thighs?
- Chicken breast, same weight (cook a few minutes less so it stays juicy).
- What can I use instead of fresh ginger?
- ¼ tsp ground ginger per tbsp fresh (add it with the spices).
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