Baby Food Recipe :: Baby Guacamole (BONUS - Recipe for Adult Guacamole Too!!!!)

Baby Guacamole

Yum! Guacamole is a go to favorite in our house for babies, kids and adults alike. Fresh guacamole can be made in under 10 minutes.  There are two recipes below one for babies 8+ months and one for adults.

Baby Guacamole

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado
1/4 lime (remove seeds)
1 tablespoon of minced onion
1/8 teaspoon of minced garlic

Instructions:

• Cut avocado into halves and remove pit
• Scoop flesh from peel, place in bowl and mash with fork 
• Add minced onion and garlic and stir
• Squeeze lime juice over guacamole, mix and serve

For babies 10+ months add diced tomatoes (cubes should be about half the size of a pea to avoid choking)

Note: For a smoother puree use a food processor 

Storage:
Store in an air tight container for up to 3 days; do not freeze

Adult Guacamole

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados
1 lime
1/2 cup small onion - minced or 1 small scallion
2 cloves of garlic - minced
1 jalapeño pepper - minced (optional)
Cilantro
Salt
Pepper

Instructions:

• Cut avocados into halves and remove pits
• Scoop flesh from peel, place in bowl and mash with fork 
• Add minced onion, jalapeño  and garlic and stir
• Add cilantro and salt and pepper to taste and stir
• Squeeze lime juice over guacamole, mix and serve

Storage:
Store in an air tight container for up to 3 days; do not freeze

Baby Food Recipe: Baby Chili

With the start of Fall this week, now is as good of a time as any to introduce filling comfort meals. Chili is a hearty american classic which with a couple of modifications can also be a good whole meal for babies.

For this recipe you can use ground beef, ground turkey or omit the ground meat altogether and just use beans (skip steps 3 and 4 in the instructions below). Recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:

1/2 lb of ground meat (chicken, turkey or beef)

1 cup of diced tomatoes with the juice

1/2 cup canned kidney beans (drained and rinsed)

1/4 cup diced onions

1/4 cup of diced green peppers

1/4 cup of corn

Chili powder (if the baby is over 12 months)

Cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Spray cooking spray in the bottom of a medium sauce pan and heat the pan on medium-high heat
2. Add green peppers and onions to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes 
3. Add the ground meat and brown the meat while also breaking  meat into tiny pieces with a spatula. 
4. Drain the meat and return to pan
5. Add tomatoes with juice and kidney beans (drained and rinsed) and corn to the pan (optional: add a 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder to the mix if the baby is over 12 months old)
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes to let the flavors blend
7. Let the chili cool for 5 minutes then transfer to blender or food processor and purée to desired consistency

Storage:

Option 1: Store the chili in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Separate the chili  into 4 ounce portions and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze overnight and save for up to 3 months 

Baby Food Recipe: Lentils with Brown Rice and Carrots

Lentils, Carrots and Brown Rice

Lentils are quick and easy meal saver in my house.  Both of my kids are on the borderline for anemia so we are always searching for foods that are high in iron.  In addition to being high in iron these legumes are also high in fiber, protein, maganese, folic acid and potassium. Combining lentils with rice (brown rice in this case) enhances the nutritional value of both foods.

This is a good first whole meal to offer to your little one since the taste is not overbearing and rice is still incorporated.  Recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:

1 cup of low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock

1 cup of water

1/2 cup of dried red lentils, rinsed 

1/2 cup of brown rice

1/2 cup chopped carrots

Instructions:

1. Add the water and low-sodium chicken stock to a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil
2. Once the water and low-sodium chicken stock come to a boil add the remaining ingredients
3. After one minute, cover the sauce pan, reduce the heat to low and simmer until lentils, rice and carrots are tender
4. Place lentil mixture into a food processor/blender and puree to desired consistency (If additional liquid is needed to puree alternate between water and low-sodium stock until ideal consistency is reached)

Storage:

Option 1: Store the lentil mixture in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Separate the mixture into 4 ounce portions and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze overnight and save for up to 3 months 

Baby Food Recipe: Pears

Pears are packed with Potassium and Vitamin C.  They also are full of fiber which improves digestive function (good for the little ones). Their sweet taste and easy of pureeing compared to other fruits makes them a win-win for mommy (or daddy) and baby.

Follow this simple recipe to make a quick pear puree for your little one.

Ingredients:
1 ripe pear

Instructions:

Peel, core  and cube pear

Steam pear for 2 minutes to soften and breakdown sugars (only for babies 8 months and younger - for older children skip to the next step)

Purée the pear cubes using a hand mixer or blender (Fully ripened pears usually purée easily and there is no need to add additional liquid to the purée)

Storage:

Option 1: Store the pear purée  in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the pear purée in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Baby Food Recipe: Baby Candied Yams

Sweet Potatoes, Apples and Cinnamon

If you love candied yams, you can be sure that your baby will too!  The sweetness of the apples coupled with the cinnamon and nutmeg spices are sure to please your little one's palate - without adding sugar.  Baby Candied Yams were a hit for both of my kids and my go to dish because it was quick and easy.

Try this Baby Candied Yams recipe below:

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato
• 1 apple
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• water

Instructions:

1. Peel, core and cube sweet potato and apple
2. Place apple and sweet potato cubes in a pot and fill with just enough water to cover the sweet potatoes and the apples
3. Boil the apples and sweet potatoes until tender
4. Place corn, sweet potatoes and carrots in a blender/food processor/hand mixer bowl and reserve water
5. Blend/process/mix and add reserved water until desired consistency is reached
6. Add a 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg

** Ensure that baby has tried both apples and sweet potatoes before offering this medley to avoid food allergies**

Storage:

Option 1: Store the baby candied yams in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the baby candied yams in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Baby Food Recipe: Bananas

Pureed Bananas

Bananas are full of B6, Potassium, Manganese and Vitamin C.  They also are full of fiber which improves digestive function as well as B6 in them aids in transporting iron through the body.  Their sweet taste and smooth texture makes them an easy option for a first food.

Follow this simple recipe to make a quick banana puree for your little one.

Ingredients:
1 banana

Instructions:

Peel banana and place in a bowl
Take a fork and mash the banana until it reaches a smooth, creamy, consistency

Storage:
Store the banana puree in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to a day
Bananas may brown as they are exposed to air, try to use the remaining banana puree quickly

Baby Food Recipe :: Carrots

Pureed Carrots

The vibrant orange color in carrots can be attributed to the high amounts of beta-carotene present in this vegetable.  This along with other nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium, coupled with their naturally pleasing taste make them a great first food for babies.  A bonus is that they are also easy for young babies to digest.

Follow this simple recipe to make a quick carrot puree for your little one.

Ingredients:
2 cups of carrots
2 cups of water

Instructions:

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil
Peel and cut carrots into chunks (note: you may use full carrots or baby carrots)
Place a steamer pan over the boiling water and steam the carrots until they are tender (you should be able to push a fork through the thickest point of the carrot chunk with ease)

Transfer carrots to blender/food processor/hand mixer and reserve 1/4 cups of water

Puree carrots and add reserved water to achieve desired consistency

*Using the water from the pot enables you to return the nutrients from corn to the puree

Storage:

Option 1: Store the carrot puree in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the carrot puree in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Baby Food Recipe :: Sweet Potato, Carrot and Corn Medley

Sweet Potato, Carrot, Corn Medley

Looking to add some variety to your baby's diet? Try mixing foods that you already offered to create a unique baby blend.  By now you have likely already offered sweet potatoes, carrots and corn as a first food.  

Try this recipe below which incorporates all three in a brand new baby blend:

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato
• 1 carrot
• 1/2 cup of corn
• Water

Instructions:

1. Peel, core and cube sweet potato and carrot 
2. Place 1/2 cup of corn, sweet potato and carrot cubes in a pot and fill with just enough water to cover the vegetables
3. Boil the corn, sweet potatoes and carrots until tender
4. Place corn, sweet potatoes and carrots in a blender/food processor/hand mixer bowl and reserve water
5. Blend/process/mix and add reserved water until desired consistency is reached

** Ensure that baby has tried all three foods before offering this medley to avoid food allergies**

Storage:

Option 1: Store the sweet potato, carrot and corn medley in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the sweet potato, carrot and corn medley in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Baby Food Recipe :: Green Bean Puree

Pureed Green Beans

Green beans mild flavor and nutritional benefits make them a great first food for babies 4-6 months and older.  They are rich in Calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and maganese.  To ensure a smooth consistency for young babies (below 8 months) use frozen green beans -- it's less work to break down the skins in comparison to raw green beans.

Below is the recipe...

Ingredients:

1 cup of cut green beans

Water

Instructions:

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil

Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen french cut green beans to the boiling water

Boil or steam for 15 minutes or until tender

Drain green beans in a colander and reserve water

Puree green beans using a blender/food processor/ or hand blender 

Add reserved water until desired consistency is reached

**As a first food make the green beans more on the soupy side **

Storage:

Option 1: Store the green bean puree in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the green bean puree in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Baby Food Recipe :: Sweet Potato Puree

Sweet Potato Puree

Sweet potatoes are an AWESOME first food for your baby (4 months and older).  The sweet and mushy nature of them often makes them a certified baby pleaser in terms of their budding palate. For mommies they are a great vegetable to use for your first try at making baby food and later serve as the go-to-vegetable of choice.

The bright orange color serves as assurance that they are high in beta-carotene.  They also are full of vitamin A and potassium and are a good source for vitamin E, folate and calcium. 

I recommend baking the sweet potatoes to retain the nutrients while also bringing out their natural sweetness.  

Ingredients:

1 medium sweet potato

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
2. Wash the sweet potato under cold water
3. Wrap the sweet potato in aluminum foil 
4. Place the potato in the oven and cook for 40-60 minutes
5. Check the potato with a fork (the potato is done when you can drive the prongs of the fork easily through the potato)
6. Let the potato cool for about a half hour
7. Peel the potato (on a well cooked potato the skin should peel easily)
8. Place the potato in a blender/food processor/hand mixer bowl and blend (for older babies 8+ months mash the potato with a fork to provide a chunkier texture)
9. Add water/breast milk/formula to reach desired consistency

**As a first food make the potatoes more on the soupy side **

Storage:

Option 1: Store the sweet potato puree in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the sweet potato puree in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Baby Food Recipe: Corn

Corn Puree

The sweetness of the corn is often pleasing to even the most pickiest eater.  The American Association of Pediatrics indicates that you can introduce corn to babies after 6 months.  Once you have this puree down it makes for an easy natural sweetener and combination ingredient for Stage 2 and Stage 3 baby foods.

Follow this simple recipe to make a quick corn puree for your little one.

Ingredients:
2 cups of corn
2 cups of water

Instructions:

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil

Add 2 cups of frozen or fresh corn to the boiling water (you can also steam the corn as well)

Boil for 10 minutes or until tender

Drain corn in a colander and reserve 1/4 cups of water

Puree corn and add reserved water to achieve desired consistency

*Using the water from the pan enables you to return the nutrients from corn to the puree

Tip: Push the corn through a sieve to ensure a shell-less puree

Storage:

Option 1: Store the corn puree in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the corn puree in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Dinner Tonight :: Stir Fry Chicken and Veggies Over Jasmine Rice

Full day at work + fussy kids = I need a quick dinner before I lose my mind

In my pantry I had just the right combo for a quick semi-homemade meal - STIR FRY
(chicken, pre-cut veggie mix from TJ's, stir fry sauce (sans the high fructose corn syrup) and some jasmine rice)

This first picture is before the sauce was added - I'm thinking I can do his same mix with pasta or another sauce! It's pretty isn't it?

The picture below is of the finished product (in the pan) - I just added the sauce

For my baby girl I cut the veggies and chicken into bite-sized pieces (smaller than a pea) and served I with the rice. [Note: for a creamier texture for babies between 10 and 12 month place in a mini food processor, then blend and add water until desired consistency is reached]

A yummy dinner in just 25 minutes start to finish! Although I prefer meals made from scratch the truth is that as a working mom I have to plan for times like this and that always trumps most fast-food/takeout options.

Pass the Peas Please!!!

Green Pea Puree

Looking for an easy and quick baby food puree for your little one?  Try some PEAS.  Peas are a great first food for babies age 6-8 months. Not only are they nutritious because they are protein rich and full of vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, Vitamin A and C but they are also a tasty sweet green treat for young palates.  

Follow this recipe for a stage 1 pea baby food puree:

Ingredients:

1 cup of peas

1/2 cup of water (approximately)

Instructions:

1. Place the peas into a steamer basket in a skillet
2. Fill the pan with water until it just kisses the basket
3. Steam until the peas are very tender (approximately 15 minutes ~ be sure to watch the pan so that all of the water doesn't evaporate)
4. Remove peas from pan and place in blender/food processor/grinder - save the water*
5. Blend/grind the peas on the highest setting while adding water to achieve desired consistency

*Using the water from the pan enables you to return the nutrients from the steamed peas to the puree

Tip: Push the peas through a sieve to ensure a shell-less puree

Storage:

Option 1: Store pea puree in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place pea puree in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)