Macaroni & Cheese For Baby

Last week, my maid told me that Aydein has not been finishing his porridge as fast as he used to. Could it be the dory fish instead of the usual salmon fish I usually put in his porridge? I'm not sure. But he didn't seem to enjoy his porridge like he used to.

I did not like the idea of forcing my baby into something that he did not like to eat, so I thought of trying something new over the weekend -- Macaroni & Cheese!

I personally love Mac & Cheese, especially the one in Kenny Roger's. So I thought it would be great to share my favorite American meal with my little one!

What You Need :

(click picture for larger view)

1/2 cup of finely chopped macaroni (1/2 cawan macaroni dicincang) **
1 1/2 tbsp butter (1 1/2 sudu besar mentega)
1 tbsp flour (1 sudu besar tepung gandum)
8 oz formula/breastmilk (8 oz susu tepung/ASI)
1 cup of Parmesan cheese powder (1 cawan serbuk keju Parmesan)
1 cup of grated Cheddar cheese (1 cawan keju Cheddar dikisar)
finely chopped vege (sayuran yang dicincang) - carrot, broccoli & fresh mushroom **

** note : it is important that these items are chopped finely for younger babies so they wont choke


1) Firstly, cook the macaroni in boiling water until soft. Do not add any salt. Drain & set aside.
Pertama sekali, renehkan macaroni di dalam air yang mendidih sehingga lembut. Tidak perlu menambahkan garam ke dalam rebusan. Apabila lembut, toskan dan asingkan.


2) Then, boil the carrot & broccoli until soft. Once cooked, chop them as well as the fresh mushroom then set aside.
Kemudian, rebuskan lobak merah & broccoli sehingga lembut. Apabila masak, cincang sayuran tersebut termasuk cendawan segar, dan asingkan.


3) After that, place the butter in a small saucepan and melt it over a medium heat.
Selepas itu, masukkan mentega ke dalam periuk kecil dan masak menggunakan api yang kecil.


4) Stir in the flour and continue to cook for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly.
Tanpa berhenti mengacau, masukkan tepung gandum dan kacau selama beberapa minit lagi.


5) Gradually add the milk, still stirring constantly, and continue to cook for several minutes until the sauce thickens.
Masukkan susu secara berperingkat sementara masih mengacau, dan masak lagi selama beberapa minit sehingga sos pekat.


6) Still stirring constantly, add in the Parmesan cheese powder, ...
Tanpa berhenti mengacau, masukkan serbuk keju Parmesan, ...


7) ... As well as the grated Cheddar cheese. This will add to the very cheesy flavor. Continue to stir. If the sauce is a bit too thick, feel free to add in plain water into the sauce.
... Dan juga keju Cheddar yang telah dikisar tadi. Ini akan menambahkan rasa keju pada pasta. Terus mengacau. Tambahkan air kosong ke dalam sos jika sos agak pekat.



8) Lastly, add in the finely chopped veges then pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni.
Akhir sekali, masukkan sayuran yang telah dicincang halus tadi, dan tuangkan sos keju di atas makaroni telah dimasak tersebut.


9) And voila! Delicious macaroni white sauce is ready to serve! :)
Dan tadah! Macaroni lazat sedia untuk dihidang! :)

More Mama, More!

Dear Diary,

Last weekend was different from any weekends before this. As soon as I woke up, papa took me with him into the bathroom and in there, he bathed and shampooed me. Outside, mama was busy getting all the necessities to dress me up.


As soon as I got out from the shower, mama took over and dressed me up to my handsomest hurriedly. I wonder what the rush was all about. I also noticed she was extra excited that day. In fact, papa was too! Hmm. As soon as she finished combing my hair, papa lifted me up and carried me to the living hall and seated me on his lap. Mama came a few minutes later, with something in her hand. You know, that thing that she always uses every time she dines with papa? She had a big smile plastered on her face too.

The next thing I knew, that thing with something soupy in it flew right under my nose. I did not know what it was, but it smelt really good. So I opened my mouth excitedly as mama gently fed me with it. Mmmm. It was really good! Mama watched me intently while I swallowed, as though trying to observe my reaction. Haih mama ni. Tengok-tengok orang pulak. Cepat la orang dah lapar ni! I got impatient and started going cranky. I wanted more – fast!

Mama smiled even wider and fed me more happily. Papa wanted to be part of the experience too, and took that thing from mama and fed me the delicious thick liquid.


It was so yummy, I tell you. So yummy, that I finished them all! Heeeheee.


*Burppp.* Oops, eshkush me. Heeheeee. This is me after I've completed my yummy yummy meal.


Ahem. Please excuse my frown. I was so full that I began to get sleepy lah. :D But of course the meal would not be complete without my milk, so mama took me from papa and fed me the milk she prepared for me earlier.


Once I finished the 4oz of milk, I was so full and so happy, that I fell into a deep, contented slumber. This is me sleeping and looking very satisfied.


Mama told me this is only the beginning and that I have yet to taste the different flavors of life! She said if I like what I had that day, I would love the more things to come. Hmm. Could there be more things out there that are more delicious than what I had recently? Oh I can't wait for more sweet surprises like this to come! Until then, goodbye for now!

Love love,
Aydein.

Baby Food Shopping!

Aydein sweetheart,

Time goes by really fast and before I knew it, you will turn 6 months tomorrow. I am so proud to have you sweetheart, and watching you grow before my eyes is one of the best gifts God has ever given me. And yes, I am still very much in love with you. :)


Did you know that I have been doing a lot of readings since the last few weeks? Hehe yes baby. I read a lot when you were in my tummy, and I still read a lot now that you're out – all because I was so nervous at the thought of starting your solids in the next few days. But now that I'm all equipped with all the necessary information necessary to it, I feel much, much better now and can't wait to start on your solids! Just look at all the baby foods and cutleries I just bought for you the last few days back!


They look pretty delicious, don't they? That is why you were so eager to grab hold of it when I held it in front of you. I guess you knew that I was shopping for your food, huh? :) Smart boy.


Papa is very particular about your food ingredients, though. Notice that your food has no added sugar in it. Sorry boy, until you're at least 1 year old, no sweets for you.


I first planned to give you home-made food by mashing all different types of fruits and veges instead of this canned food. But I got so excited looking at the baby food that I had to take some and give them a try lah! Heehee.

I know I know. You'd prefer the ones made with love at home than the ones in cans, so as soon as you finish all of them, I promise it will be only home-made fruits and veges and porridge for you after this okay, sayang? :)

Until then, I look forward to feeding you with your very first spoon soon! :) Are you getting excited by the minute already, baby? I hope you are, because I definitely am! ;)


hugs & kisses,
Mama.