Filipino
Vegan
Gluten freeAm (Filipino rice-water first porridge)
6m+ · The thick, creamy liquid ladled from a pot of boiling rice, offered as a thin first porridge
Filipino lolas remember giving babies am, the thick, cloudy liquid that rises to the top as rice boils, ladled off and cooled before the rest of the pot is cooked for the family's lunch. Today it is offered as a thin, smooth first porridge, a few spoonfuls alongside other first foods such as mashed squash or banana, rather than on its own. It tastes mild and slightly sweet. It contains none of the common allergens (milk, egg, gluten, peanut, tree nuts, soya, sesame, fish). Chef's tip: use more water than usual and keep the lid off, so the liquid thickens into a creamy am instead of evaporating away.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 30 kcal
Baby & toddler safety
- Age: from 6 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
- 3 ½ oz white ricerinsed
- 3 ¼ cups water
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Put 3 ½ oz white rice and 3 ¼ cups water in a pan and bring to the boil over a medium heat, uncovered.
5 minStep 2: Boil gently for 12–15 minutes, stirring now and then, until the water turns white and thick, a little like single cream, and the grains are soft.
14 minStep 3: Tilt the pan and ladle off about 200 ml of the thick liquid into a bowl. If you like, stir in a spoonful of the very soft grains, mashed, for a creamier am. The rest of the rice can carry on cooking for the family.
Step 4: Let it cool until lukewarm; it thickens as it stands. A common mistake is ladling it off too early, when it is still thin and watery rather than cloudy and silky.
Step 5: Offer a few spoonfuls as part of a meal with other first foods.
Step 6: Cool any left over quickly, refrigerate covered for up to 2 days, or freeze. Reheat once until piping hot, stirring in a splash of water, then cool before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 30 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 7 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does am (Filipino rice-water first porridge) take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of white rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
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