Rava Porridge (Semolina Porridge) is traditionally made as a baby food. However, it is also very low on Potassium and is good for people with kidney problems who are on a Renal Failure Diet.
Patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are always put on a low-potassium diet (and a low-sodium diet, if they have hypertension). In the advanced stages, they are put on a near-Zero Potassium Diet (also called a Renal Failure Diet) that severely limits what you can serve as a part of it. As I have been educating myself about the potassium levels in various ingredients, I am finding that most of our everyday fruits, vegetables, dals and grains are loaded with potassium and sodium.
As a result, the diet can be very, very bland to the point of being unpalatable. However, if CKD is the only issue and the person does not suffer from Diabetes or Hypertension, then you have some latitude because salt (sodium) will only be severely restricted and not prohibited, while there is no restriction on sugar. That makes dishes like Rava Porridge a viable dish.
Rava Porridge or Semolina Porridge is a low-calorie dish that is traditionally fed to babies in South India. However, the fact that it is low on potassium and sodium makes it a great option to include in a part of a Renal Failure Diet. You can serve this porridge either as one of the breakfast items or as a tea-time snack.
Rava Porridge is too light to be a complete meal by itself for an adult, so serve it as a supplement or to satiate hunger pangs.
How to Make Rava Porridge: Baby Food AND Low-Potassium Dish for a Renal Failure Diet
- Dilute 1/3 cup milk with 1/3 cup water. Set aside.
- {Optional} Add a pinch of cardamom powder or a few strands of saffron to the milk.
- In a kadhai or frying pan, over low flame, melt 1/4 tsp ghee. If you want to keep the dish fat-free, omit this step and just dry roast the semolina.
- Add 2 tbsp coarse rava or semolina, and stir-fry for a couple of minutes. Do not allow the semolina to change colour.
- Add 1 tsp sugar and mix well. The porridge is normally mildly sweet, but you can add more sugar if you so wish. Do not add sugar, if diabetes is a concern. Use 1/4 tsp Stevia or other sugar substitutes approved by your doctor.
- Slowly add the diluted milk and mix well, ensuring that no lumps.
- Allow the mix to cook while stirring occasionally till the rava becomes transparent.
- Add a bit more water or milk, if the porridge becomes very thick. The porridge is normally of pouring consistency.
- Take off the heat and serve immediately.
Recipe for Rava Porridge: A Low Potassium Dish for Renal Failure Diet
Rava Porridge | Semolina Porridge: Baby Food AND a Low-Potassium Dish for a Renal Failure Diet
Equipment
- Kadhai or Frying Pan
- Spoon
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Rava or Semolina (~25 gms)
- 1/4 Cup Milk
- 1/4 Cup Water
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Ghee (Omit for low-fat dish or high cholesterol patients)
- A Few Strands of Saffron or 1 Pinch Cardamom Powder
Instructions
- Dilute 1/4 cup milk with 1/4 cup water. Set aside.
- {Optional} Add a pinch of cardamom powder or a few strands of saffron to the milk.
- In a kadhai or frying pan, over low flame, melt 1/4 tsp ghee. If you want to keep the dish fat-free or cholesterol is a concern, omit this step and just dry roast the semolina.
- Add 1.5 tbsp coarse rava or semolina, and stir-fry for a couple of minutes. Do not allow the semolina to change colour.
- Add 1 tsp sugar and mix well. The porridge is normally mildly sweet, but you can add more sugar if you so wish. Do not add sugar, if diabetes is a concern. In such cases, use 1/4 tsp Stevia or other sugar substitutes approved by your doctor.
- Slowly add the diluted milk and mix well, ensuring that no lumps.
- Allow the mix to cook while stirring occasionally till the rava becomes transparent.
- Add a bit more water or milk, if the porridge becomes very thick. The porridge is normally of pouring consistency.
- Take off the heat and serve immediately.
Leave a Reply