Now that Alex and I are well into the solid foods I’m getting a bit stumped for new ideas. I was sent The Best Baby Food
Simple ideas like roasting fruits before pureeing them, adding herbs or interesting fruit and vegetable combinations are included. I’ll be following this book up until he’s quite a bit older I’m sure.
Did you know that the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends starting with foods that contain iron from 6 months including puréed cooked meat, fish, chicken, tofu, mashed beans and eggs? I’ve found that meat has not been a hit for Alex, so I like to add something a bit sweet to make it a bit more enticing. This Apricot and Acorn Squash Purée from the book is perfect. Despite the fact that it’s mostly squash it’s still pretty sweet, and I would never have thought of using apricots for baby food (no need to skin them!)
- 2 cups/500mL coarsely chopped peeled acorn squash (10 oz/300 g)
- 6 apricots, pitted (about 8 oz/250 g)
- 1 cup/250 mL filtered water
- In a saucepan, combine squash, apricots and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until squash is fork-tender, about 20 minutes.
- Transfer to blender or use an immersion blender in the saucepan. Purée until smooth. Let cool until, warm to the touch before serving or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
Courtesy of The Best Baby Food Recipes
by Jordan Wagman & Jill Hillhouse 2015 © www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with publisher permission. Available where books are sold.
What have been big hits for your baby? Let me know, I’d love to hear!
ps This Epicure Perfect Petites silicone cooking mold is by FAR my favourite product for freezing baby food. It freezes a TON at a time, and all the food comes out very very easily. Only advice is that it’s flexible so you either have to have a free shelf in your freezer (we have a mini sliding shelf it fits on) or freeze on a baking sheet.
pps Has anyone ever tried these food scissors for on-the-go eating?
pops My favourite tool for cooking and blending baby food.
(High Chair is the Tripp Trapp from Stokke which we’ve had for years and love – also on it are the baby set also from Stokke and the Playtray which we prefer to the Stokke tray as it’s MUCH easier to clean; bib is from favourite brand Skip Hop and it folds into itself for easy transport)
Michelle Little
Writer & Photographer
I have loved and continue to use recipes from Annabel Karmel. She has a salmon recipe that uses orange juice and cheese that Clementine LOVED. I also really like the site weelicious.com for all ages!
Thanks Amanda – I will definitely have to check it out. Bastien is allergic to salmon (which is why you never see any fish recipes here) but maybe we’ll have better luck with Alex. And I’ll definitely check out weelicious too!