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Fereni for babies (Persian rice-milk porridge)
6m+ · Silky Persian rice-flour porridge cooked slowly in milk, plain for babies
Fereni is one of the oldest Persian sweets, and in Iranian homes it is also a baby's first spoon food: rice flour cooked slowly in milk until it is soft, pale and silky. Mothers often make it for breakfast or for a winter afternoon. For babies under one it is served plain; older children get the rosewater, a little sugar and a dusting of cinnamon that the family enjoys. It contains milk; there is no egg, gluten, nuts, soya, sesame or fish. Chef's tip: stir with a whisk for the first few minutes, then switch to a spatula so you can scrape the bottom of the pan.
- Total time
- 22 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Baby & toddler safety
- Age: from 6 months+.
- Allergens: contains milk. 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
- 1 oz rice flourabout 3 tbsp
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk
- 3 ½ tbsp water
For older children
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Whisk 1 oz rice flour with 3 ½ tbsp water in a small pan to a smooth paste.
1 minStep 2: Whisk in 1 ¼ cups whole milk, set the pan over a medium-low heat and keep whisking as it warms, so the flour doesn't sink and stick.
5 minStep 3: When it starts to bubble, turn the heat to low and stir with a spatula for 10–12 minutes, scraping the bottom, until it is thick, glossy and smooth and no longer tastes of raw flour. Rushing it on high heat is the common mistake: the milk scorches and the fereni tastes burnt.
12 minStep 5: Cool until just warm; it sets softly as it cools. Stir in a little milk if it becomes too firm for your baby.
Step 6: Cool leftovers quickly and keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days, or freeze. Reheat once with a splash of milk until piping hot, stir well and cool before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 70 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 9 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does fereni for babies (Persian rice-milk porridge) take?
- About 22 minutes in total: 2 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 vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- 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 whole milk?
- Semi-skimmed milk with 1 tbsp cream per 240ml (1 cup).
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