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Bubur saring (sieved rice and vegetable porridge)

6m+ · Indonesia's first-stage MPASI porridge: rice, carrot, potato and spinach pressed smooth

Indonesian parents call a baby's first solids MPASI, and the first stage is bubur saring: rice porridge cooked with vegetables and pressed through a sieve until velvety. Across Java it is often made each morning in a small pot and given at lunchtime, with a daun salam (Indonesian bay leaf) for a gentle scent. Carrot gives it colour and sweetness, spinach a soft green flavour. There are no common allergens in it (milk, egg, gluten, peanut, tree nuts, soya, sesame, fish). Chef's tip: add the spinach only in the last few minutes, so it stays green and doesn't turn the porridge grey.
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
6

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.

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Ingredients

Serves6

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What you'll need

Fresh ingredients (3)

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Method

0/6 done
  1. Step 1: Put 1 ¾ oz white rice, 2 ½ cups water and 1 Indonesian bay leaf (daun salam), if using, in a pan and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer, half-covered, for 15 minutes.

    15 min
  2. Step 2: Add 2 ⅛ oz carrot and 2 ⅛ oz potato and cook for another 15–20 minutes, stirring often, until the rice is very soft and the vegetables crush easily with a spoon.

    18 min
  3. Step 3: Stir in ⅔ oz spinach leaves and cook for 3 minutes, until it has wilted and is bright green.

    3 min
  4. Step 4: Remove the bay leaf. Press everything through a fine sieve with the back of a spoon, scraping the purée from underneath. Pressing, not just stirring, is the point: the most common mistake is leaving stringy spinach and grain skins behind that babies spit out. Loosen with boiled water to a thick, smooth cream.

  5. Step 5: Let a portion cool until just warm before feeding.

  6. Step 6: Cool the rest quickly, refrigerate covered for up to 2 days or freeze in small tubs. Reheat only once, until piping hot throughout, stir and cool before serving.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
38 kcal
Protein
1 g
Carbs
8 g
Fat
0 g
Fibre
1 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does bubur saring (sieved rice and vegetable porridge) take?
About 50 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
6 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.
What can I use instead of carrot?
Parsnip or sweet potato, same weight.

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