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Helpful Tips To Make Brown Pap For Your Baby

By Oreoritse Tariemi
13 August 2022   |   2:13 pm
Baby weaning can be tricky, and finding the right food for them takes a lot of careful consideration.  In many Nigerian homes, brown pap is one of the first foods introduced during baby weaning. Depending on the tribe, pap has several names; the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria call it Akamu, the Yorubas call it…

Feeding baby

Baby weaning can be tricky, and finding the right food for them takes a lot of careful consideration. 

In many Nigerian homes, brown pap is one of the first foods introduced during baby weaning. Depending on the tribe, pap has several names; the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria call it Akamu, the Yorubas call it Ogi, while the Hausas refer to it as Koko. 

A highly nutritious meal, brown pap is made from three grains; corn, millet, and guinea corn, all of which make it perfect for babies. Corn is rich in carbohydrates, while millet and guinea corn are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, all of which are essential for the growth and development of the baby. 

You can include brown pap in your baby-led weaning with this recipe:

Ingredients

  • Dry yellow or white corn
  • Guinea corn
  • Millet
  • Ginger, Cloves, Cinnamon Stick, flavour (optional)
  • Water
  • Chiffon cloth
  • Paint bucket or a thick cotton bag 
  • Big bowl

Method

  • The first step to making brown pap from scratch is to properly wash the grains (corn, guinea corn and millet) separately to remove dirt. Once you’re done washing, pour everything into another bowl and cover completely with water. Cover the bowl and leave for 2-3 days to ferment, making sure to change the water daily. 
  • On the third day, blend the grains with ginger, cloves, cinnamon sticks and any other flavour you choose. Use a high-powered blender to blend the grains at home smoothly.
  • Next, pour small amounts of the blended mix into the cloth. Use your hands and some water to sieve the blended mixture through the cloth into another bowl. Continue this until the leftovers are completely dry.
  • Once done, cover the bowl for up to 3 hours to allow the mixture to settle and separate the pap from the water. After three hours, you should see the water above completely clear, and the pap settled at the bottom.
  • Pour out the water. Stir the pap and pour into a clean bag; squeeze tightly to remove excess water. Place the bag on the sink or a flat surface to allow the water to drain away, then place a heavy object on it(for example, a big clean stone)to help drain out the water quickly.
  • Once this is done, untie the bag, and your pap is ready. Go ahead to cut it into small sizes and tie it in small transparent bags, and preserve it in a fridge.
  • Mix a small portion of pap in a bowl with some cold water with a spoon until it’s smooth. Once the paste is not too thick or watery, heat some water in a kettle and pour it into the paste, stirring while it thickens. Add some milk, soybean, or fruit puree, depending on choice and feed your kid, making sure to blow on it to keep it warm. 

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