Homemade Chatua Recipe: Easy, Healthy Breakfast for Children

Chatua Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons wheat flour (atta) or millet flour (bajra or jowar flour)

• 1 tablespoon roasted gram flour (besan) or roasted pulse powder

• 1/2 teaspoon ghee (clarified butter)

• 1-2 teaspoons jaggery (optional and depending on the baby’s age)

• A pinch of cardamom powder (optional, for flavor)

• Warm water or milk (breast milk/formula, if preferred)

Instructions

1. Roast the Flours:

◦ In a small pan, dry roast the wheat or millet flour on low heat for 2-3 minutes until it becomes slightly aromatic. Make sure it doesn’t burn.

◦ Similarly, lightly roast the gram flour if using, until it turns a light golden color.

2. Prepare the Chaatua:

◦ In a small mixing bowl, combine the roasted wheat/millet flour and gram flour.

◦ Add ghee to a warm pan and lightly fry the flour mixture for about 2-3 minutes. Keep stirring to avoid burning.

3. Sweeten & Flavor:

◦ Add jaggery to the pan (if using). Stir until it dissolves and blends with the flour mixture.

◦ Optionally, add a pinch of cardamom powder for flavor.

4. Make it Soft and Smooth:

◦ Gradually add warm water or milk (depending on the consistency you prefer), stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Adjust the quantity to get a porridge-like consistency suitable for your baby.

◦ Continue to cook it on low heat for 2-3 minutes until it thickens into a smooth, soft porridge.

5. Cool & Serve:

◦ Let it cool down to a safe temperature before serving to the baby. It should be warm and smooth in texture.

Tips

• You can experiment with different flours like ragi or oats for added nutrition.

• If your baby is younger (6-8 months), ensure the consistency is runnier for easy swallowing.

• If the baby is ready for more texture (around 8-10 months), you can make it a bit thicker.