Sathu maavu recipe (health mix powder) is a wholesome homemade energy mix made with roasted grains and lentils. It makes a nourishing, filling porridge for babies, growing kids and adults alike. Here is my easy 5-ingredient recipe with step-by-step photos!
Health mix powder may not be new to you. Everybody will have their own recipe with the combo of grains and nuts. I make it very simple with just 5 ingredients. I got this recipe from my friend Swarna. I make porridge using this powder with salt and curd for my daughter. She loves this a lot. Even I too have this porridge at the time of fasting.
My daughter was very lean and she was getting infected by cold and cough very often. My friend suggested me to give this porridge to gain weight and immunity. Now my daughter is feeling better and she has gained weight considerably. I started giving this porridge to her at the age of 2. My friend told this can be given for 10 months baby too but in small amount.
I use 2 tbsp of this powder to make porridge for my daughter’s breakfast which is very filling for her. If you are planning to make for infants or kids, do try with small amount say 1 tsp, make it watery first, then slowly increase the quantity and thickness. In the initial stages, I used to add more dal and rice compared to other ingredients. Nowadays I am using this proportion to make the powder in large quantity and store in an airtight box for 3 months. Check out my Sathu Maavu Dosa Recipe for adults if you are interested.
Quick Notes for US & Abroad Kitchens
- Grains in US Stores: Whole wheat (sharbati or samba wheat berries), puzhungal arisi (parboiled ponni rice) and whole ragi (finger millet) are easily found in Indian grocery stores like Patel Brothers or Subzi Mandi. In American supermarkets (Whole Foods, Sprouts), look for Bob’s Red Mill whole wheat berries or whole ragi grain.
- Flour Mill vs Mixer Grinder: Back home in India, we send roasted grains to the flour mill (rice mill). Outside India, a high-power mixer grinder (like Preethi, Vitamix or Ninja) grinds the roasted grains into fine powder. Sieve the powder through a fine flour sieve for a smoother texture.
- Cooking Porridge on Electric Stovetops: Always dissolve sathu maavu in cold or room temperature water first without any lumps before heating. Cook on medium-low flame (setting 3 or 4) on electric stovetops and whisk continuously to prevent the porridge from scorching at the bottom.
- Sweet vs Savory Options: You can cook the porridge with water, mix with milk and sweeten with jaggery or palm sugar. For a savory version, cook in water, allow it to cool slightly and whisk with homemade buttermilk and a pinch of salt.
- Storage: Homemade sathu maavu powder stays fresh for up to 3 months at room temperature in a clean, airtight glass jar. For abroad kitchens in humid or warm weather, you can store it in the freezer to retain freshness up to 6 months.
Sathu Maavu Recipe (Homemade Health Mix Powder For Babies & Kids)
Ingredients
For Sathu Maavu Powder (5 Ingredients)
- 1 cup Rice (puzhungal arisi / steamed rice) (approx. 200g / 7 oz)
- 1 cup Whole wheat / samba wheat (approx. 200g / 7 oz)
- ½ cup Yellow moong dal (approx. 100g / 3.5 oz)
- ¼ cup Ragi / finger millet (approx. 50g / 1.7 oz)
- ¼ cup Fried gram dal / pottukadalai (approx. 40g / 1.4 oz)
Instructions
- Dry roast all the ingredients (rice, whole wheat, yellow moong dal and ragi) in a heavy kadai one by one on medium flame until a nice roasted aroma arises.
- No need to roast the fried gram dal (pottukadalai). Just add it to the other hot roasted ingredients, mix well and allow everything to cool down completely.
- Once cooled, grind it into a fine powder in a flour mill or a high-power mixer grinder. Spread the ground powder on a plate and allow it to cool down to room temperature.
- Store the sathu maavu powder in an airtight container. Transfer the required amount of powder into a small box for daily use. Always handle with a clean dry spoon. It stays fresh for up to 3 months.
Notes
- For infants, dry roast rice and dal alone in 2:1 ratio, powder it in small quantity and make porridge using 1 tsp of this powder with salt or sugar by adding lots of water or milk. When it suits your kid, start to increase the amount gradually.
- Slowly introduce ragi and wheat to the powder and practice them.
- At the age of 2, you can follow the above said measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can I start giving sathu maavu porridge to babies?
In my experience, you can introduce sathu maavu for babies around 10 months to 1 year after pediatrician consultation. Start with a very small quantity (1 teaspoon cooked watery with water and salt) and gradually increase as your baby digests it comfortably.
Can I grind sathu maavu in a regular mixer grinder at home?
Yes friends! Roast the ingredients until crisp and let them cool down completely. Grind in small batches in a dry mixer jar on high speed, then pass through a fine sieve to get a smooth powder.
How do I prevent lumps when making sathu maavu porridge?
Always mix 2 tablespoons of sathu maavu powder in half a cup of room temperature water or milk first until completely smooth. Then bring to a boil on low flame while stirring continuously with a whisk.
How long does homemade sathu maavu stay fresh?
It stays fresh for up to 3 months when stored in a clean, dry airtight container at room temperature. Always use a dry spoon to take the powder. You can also refrigerate or freeze it for up to 6 months.
Healthy and nutritious homemade sathu maavu is ready to enjoy as a wholesome porridge!
Thxs for sharing this useful post…
A very healthy and delicious porridge mix!!! one question is all the ingredients are so healthy – how come your daughter is ganing weight.. I mean there are no fat items in here…
Sowmya
Ongoing Event – CWF – Whole Wheat Flour
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Useful post dear
Healthy podi,thanks for sharing
My mom prepare this healthy mix every month,we do loads of dishes with this healthy mix, you have done prefectly Chitra.
Such a healthy podi, love it !!
For me this is something new….I hv heard of it but never tried…
thanks all. @ sowmya , I think fried gram dal , rice and moong dal must be the reason.. :)
wonderful post thanks for sharing..
wow…very healthy podi..
Missing the homemade/Mom made powder n buying in store for kids, your version is simply superb!!!
super yummy !!!
Thanks Chitra, even i loved your kaju sweet picture and video. now this sathumaavu pic is too good! Keep Rocking!!
too good sathu maavu ..
Please send this recipe to Fast & Quick Healthy Dishes Event
http://lifewithspices.blogspot.in/2012/11/fast-quick-healthy-dishes-event.html
Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe here.
Great post Chithra. . .Thanks for sharing
Very useful post, my amma even adds some cashews to this..
Healthy….good for kids too!
my favorite sathu maavu… my sithi will do n give to us…
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VIRUNTHU UNNA VAANGA
useful post.
healthy mix!!
Join my ongoing EP events-Asafoetida OR Fennel seeds @ Divya's Culinary Journey
Seriously…. I want to make this now for my health. Thanks for sharing dear.
Photos super, My mouth is watering!
Hi Chitra,
Can you use Whole wheat chapati flour/wheat rava instead of whole wheat incase u dont get wheat grains? If so should this also be roasted?
Hi Vanitha , U can use the flour if u dont get wheat grains.Roasting is optional. But it gives a nice aroma when u roast.. Please do it in low flame without burning it. If u use wheat rava , roasting is necessary.
Hello chitra ………..thanks a lot..keep up the good work in helping others :)
regards
Nandha
Keep up the good job!!
Hi Chitra,
Here is my version of preparing Sathu Mavu…
Red Rice – 100 gms
Samba Wheat – 100 gms
Moong dal – 100 gms
Foxtail Millet/Thinai – 100 gms
Fried gram – 100 gms
Groundnut – 100 gms
Finger millet – 100 gms
Pearl millet – 100 gms
Sorghum – 100 gms
Maize – 100 gms
Barley – 100 gms
Soya Beans – 50 gms
Sago – 50 gms
Almond – 50 gms
Cashew – 50 gms
Note : Use Jaggery for sweetness to taste good. Jaggery is iron rich too.
Thanks for sharing your verison Padma.Is this for kids or adults because i make sathu maavu for adults using millets and these grains but not for kids.How much should be given for kids.Can u please tell me? It would be useful to others too :)
Hi.. I want to give dis to my son… I'm in dubai and I don't have mill shall I make a coarse powder on mixi itself… I need quick reply…
Hi, Yes.U can grind.But sieve the flour after u grind and try to grind it as fine as possible.U may have to grind repeatedly.Try n let me know how it worked for ur kid :)
Hi please confirm if jaggery can be added when giving it in mill for grinding
No,you shouldn't add.U can add it while making porridge
Hi All,
I am selling this health mix powder
It will be healthy for 6 months baby to 80 yrs persons
It is purely homemade, no side effects, I used in this more than 25 products.
I saw the content in your blog, most of them wants bulk (like working peoples), I am prepare myself and sale this for 2012 itself.
I am from Salem.
If anyone asking you bulk means please refer me.
For more details msg me
mail id : laavanyaa27@gmail.com
Thanks in advance
Lavannyakarhtick