Cheesy Broccoli Rice Balls

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cooked white rice (sticky variety)
• 1/3 cup broccoli (steamed, finely chopped)
• 3 tablespoons cheddar cheese (grated)

Method

1. 01

   Cook white rice until very soft and slightly sticky. Cool to room temperature.

2. 02

   Steam broccoli florets until very soft, then chop very finely.

3. 03

   Combine cooked rice, chopped broccoli, and grated cheddar in a bowl. Mix well — the heat of rice should melt the cheese.

4. 04

   Wet your hands and roll heaped tablespoons of mixture into balls. Squeeze firmly to compact.

5. 05

   Refrigerate 30 minutes to firm up before serving. Serve at room temperature.

How to offer

Place 2–3 rice balls on the high chair tray. Always supervise during feeding. At 9 months, the ball shape encourages developing pincer grasp. Flatten slightly for younger babies. Ensure broccoli is very finely chopped — no large chunks.

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 2 days. Not recommended for freezing as rice texture changes. Best consumed same day.

Nutrition note

Rice should always be washed before cooking. The concentration of arsenic, a harmful metal found in the soil and used in the growing process, has been identified in more recent studies as a drawback to eating rice. Despite the fact that this more recent studies may frighten parents, bear in mind that it does not imply that rice is intrinsically unhealthy or must be completely avoided. A great source of carbs that will provide our bodies energy is rice. Generally speaking, compared to white rice, which has had the nutrient-rich bran coating removed during processing, brown rice contains more protein and important elements like B vitamins, copper, fiber, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Nutrition information is general guidance, not medical advice. Read our nutrition disclaimer