Baby Gourmet Cookbook - Recipes For Delicious Homemade Baby Food (PDFDrive)

BABY
GOURMET Cookbook

Recipes for delicious homemade baby food

Amra Durakovic
Copyright © 2015 - Amra Durakovic

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written
permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other
noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at the address below.

3385 rue Routhier
Trois-Rivières, Québec
G8Y 5Y1
WWW.babygourmetfood.com

Ordering Information:
Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For
details, contact the publisher at the address above.

Disclaimer:
Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press
time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or
disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other
cause.

This book is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a
physician in matters relating to health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or
medical attention.

Credits:
Cover Photograph Copyright © 2015 Amra Durakovic
Cover design & Book design by Amra Durakovic
All photographs Copyright © 2015 Amra Durakovic

Durakovic, Amra
Baby Gourmet Cookbook : Recipes for delicious homemade baby food / Amra Durakovic

ISBN:
978-0-9938785-2-7

First Edition
Content

Starting your baby on solids
Stage 1
Apple Puree
Avocado Puree
Peach Puree
Banana Mash
Pear Puree
Papaya Puree
Carrot, Parsnip & Sweet Potato
Butternut Squash Puree
Peas & Green Beans
Cereals
Oats
Pear & Apricot Oatmeal
Apple, Cinnamon & Raisins Oatmeal
Rice
Apple, Peach & Brown Rice
Banana & Rice Cereal

Stage 2
Carrot, Cauliflower & Peas
Apple, Pear & Cinnamon
Blueberry, Pear & Banana Puree
Peach & Strawberry Puree
Apple & Mango Puree
Avocado, Yolk & Banana Puree
Pear & Figs Puree
Butternut Squash, Broccoli & Cauliflower
Butternut Squash & Plums
Sweet Potato, Mango & Apricot Puree
Mango, Peach & Strawberry Puree
Dragon Fruit & Peach Puree
Nectarine & Apricot Puree
Parsnip & Zucchini
Baby Yogurt with Avocado & Mango
Quinoa
Mango & Banana Quinoa
Apple, Blueberry & Vanilla Quinoa
Roasted Root Vegetables with Rosemary
Apple & Raspberry Puree
Avocado, Kiwi & Banana Puree
Beets with Potato, Apple & Carrot
Parsnip & Red Pepper
Potato, Broccoli & Peas
Leek, Potato & Cauliflower
Beef, Sweet Potato & Broccoli
Beef Bolognese with Pasta
Beef Stew with Brown Rice
Chicken, Squash, Parsnip & Ginger
Chicken Curry with Vegetables
Lamb Tagine
Beef Casserole
Fruity Chicken with Winter Squash
Chicken, Potato, Parsnip & Spinach
Pineapple Chicken with Rice
Smooth Yellow Split Pea Soup
Lentil Puree
Sweet Potato,Peas & Kidney Beans with Parsley
Oven Baked Salmon

Note:
All portions yielded in the recipes is at 90 ml or 3 oz each.
Starting Your Baby On Solids

Congratulations! Going from only breast milk or formula to eating solids with a spoon is
another huge step for your baby. It is a rewarding period that will probably be frustrating
at times and a little messy at the beginning. Just like for any other new thing your baby
learns or experiences, you will need a lot of patience, a little sense of humour and more
than anything else, something I am sure you already have plenty of, your love. Enjoy these
precious moments with your baby as much as you can. Now, it is time to get cooking!

You can start slowly introducing solids to your baby around 6 months of age, when your
baby is ready and after consulting your paediatrician. Not before, as their digestive system
is not yet developed enough to digest other food but breast milk or formula. How to tell
your baby is ready? All babies are different but there are a few signs that you should look
for before you start:

• Your baby needs to be able to sit well and support his or her head and neck in a
steady upright position.
• Be able to keep food in his or her mouth and then slowly swallow instead of pushing
it out immediately.
• Has a growing appetite even though he or she has had enough feedings of breast
milk or formula.
• Your baby is curious about what you eat and sometimes even tries to grab your food
as you try to put it in your mouth.

Stage 1 or often called first foods, is for babies that just started solids, which commonly
includes single grain cereals, and single fruit and vegetable purees that are nutritious, easy
to digest and less likely to cause allergies. Which one you introduce first does not really
matter as long as you try to offer a variety to your baby from the beginning. The time it
takes to accept and get used to first foods is different for every baby, for some it will take
only a few weeks but for others it might take longer.

Once your baby has passed the Stage 1, he or she is ready to venture to Stage 2. This is yet
another very important step, as Stage 2 will introduce your baby to meat, legumes, fish
and other foods that are very rich in some essential nutrients for baby’s proper
development, like iron and protein. Also, Stage 2 baby food has a broad variety with
flavourful combinations that are thicker and chunkier in texture. Recommendations for
when you start with each stage or any food, are just general guidelines and should be
discussed with your paediatrician.

To help you succeed us much as possible when offering your baby something else than
breast milk or formula for the first time, here are some tips and tricks from one mom to
another:

• Don’t try to feed your baby when he or she is full, otherwise they will not be
interested.
• It is best to offer your baby food that is warm or even room temperature.
• If your baby does not open his or her mouth when they see the spoon approaching,
place a tiny amount of food on their lower lip and let them taste what is coming.
• First foods should be thin and smooth in texture so they can be swallowed easily.
• Don’t try to introduce new food when your baby is tired, cranky or sick.
• To encourage your baby, try to feed him or her at the same time as the rest of the
family eats their meals.
• Don’t worry if your baby rejects the new food, try again later. Babies don’t
necessarily hate the food just need more time to get used to it.

Four Day Rule

Four day rule, is a way to check for any allergic reactions, digestive issues,etc. in your
baby after introducing any new food, especially if your family has a history of food
allergies. So if you have offered your baby a particular food for the first time, wait four
days before introducing another one. This rule is a good thing to follow in the early stages,
when your baby is just starting on solids. It is also a way to easily identify exactly when
and which food caused an issue to your baby.

Is My Baby Eating Enough?

When starting with solids, you have to keep in mind that it is a trying period at the
beginning, and during this time your baby will take some or none at all. So make sure your
baby still gets proper amounts of breast milk or formula during the early stages, as solids
do not provide enough nutrition just yet. But with time your baby will get used to eating
an extended variety of foods, and will eventually have full meals and snacks in between.
Every baby has his or her own appetite. Since the development of your baby will be
followed by a pediatrician, he or she will be able to answer any questions regarding this or
anything else that might be worrying you.

Tools

Do not think that you need tons of tools and gadgets to make delicious and healthy
homemade baby food. You probably have most of the things you need in your kitchen
already. To begin, you will need a good food processor or a blender, even an immersion
blender will puree most foods very well. For steaming fruit and vegetables, a steaming
basket will suffice. All the recipes in this book have been made using these two simple
tools. But if you wish to purchase a blender or a steamer especially made for baby food,
like with everything else, there are plenty to choose from. Some of them are quite good,
and can steam and puree with a press of a button. In the end, I find all of them give the
same results, so my advice is: pick the tool that works the best for you.

Preparing & Storing Homemade Baby Food

In a perfect world we would just have to walk out of our homes into a garden and pick
fruits and vegetables we need: fresh and free of any chemicals and pesticides. But the
reality is different and we can only do our best to try and keep our babies relatively free of
all the harmful chemicals out there. With that in mind, if you are able to obtain and afford,
certified organic produce would be the healthiest choice. But using non organic is
perfectly acceptable and sometimes inevitable, depending on location, cost and other
factors. So even though you do not use organic, it is still worth using the freshest produce
available when making homemade baby food as it has not only more nutritional benefits
when compared to commercial baby food, but also develops healthy eating habits right
from the start.

We cannot keep a baby’s world sterile but there are some basic safety guidelines when it
comes to homemade baby food that we need to remind ourselves of, especially since the
food you will be preparing is for the youngest, most fragile member of your family. To
ensure the food you prepare is as safe as possible:

• Wash your hands before you start and use clean pots, pans, knives and any other
kitchen tools.
• Wash fruits and vegetables before use.
• Be careful when handling uncooked meat and fish to avoid cross contamination.
Wash your cutting board and knife when switching from one food to another.
• Do not leave cooked baby food on the stove or counter, refrigerate or freeze as soon
as possible.
• Do not thaw baby food at room temperature and do not refreeze any baby food that
has already been frozen. Defrost a desired amount in the refrigerator, microwave or in
a pot of hot water, and throw away any uneaten food.

When it comes to preparing homemade baby food, generally steaming is the best way as
most of the nutrients are retained in the food. This method is used most often at the
beginning when making single fruit or single vegetable purees. Later, once your baby is
older and has passed the test and trial phase, the variety of foods that he or she eats will
expand and so will the cooking methods, like baking vegetables and even fruits, or slowly
simmering meats, etc. These methods really bring out the flavor in foods and get your
baby used to different tastes and textures at an early age.

Homemade baby food should not be stored in the refrigerator longer than 48 hours.
Freezing is the best way to store your homemade baby food. Of all the storing options
possible out there, storing homemade baby food using ice cube trays seems to be the
easiest, most convenient and inexpensive way. All you need is ice cube trays and zip lock
bags. Simply pour the pureed food into the cubes and cover with a plastic wrap. Once
frozen, pop out the cubes of pureed food into a freezer Ziploc bag and use as many cubes
as you need. If you made several different purees, it is a good idea to label your Ziploc
bags, including the date you made the purees, so you know what is in each Ziploc bag and
how long it has been in the freezer. The ice cube method is especially good for the early
stages when your baby just started on solids and eats smaller portions. Later on, it is a
good idea to purchase some baby jars and containers. They come in different portion sizes,
colors, and stackable trays to help you stay organized. Being able to easily prepare and
store homemade baby food lets you build a healthy menu plan for your baby up to several
weeks ahead.

Herbs, Spices & Homemade Baby Food

While added salt and sugar is a definite no, it is fine to introduce some spices and herbs
into your baby’s food. After all, they are already exposed to some of them while in the
womb and then later through breastfeeding. In many parts of the world, babies are
introduced to spices at a very young age and they readily accept new flavors, more than
you would imagine. So use this to encourage your baby towards a more adventurous
eating. The recommended age for introducing spices and herbs is after 8 months. If your
baby has passed the First Food stage and is not having digestive issues or allergies, these
are some of the herbs and spices you could use to liven up your baby’s dish without
overpowering it: oregano, rosemary, parsley, garlic, thyme, dill, mint, nutmeg, vanilla,
cinnamon, ginger, lemon zest, cumin, turmeric and cardamom.
Stage 1
Apple Puree

Easy to prepare, easy to digest, naturally sweet and nutritious, apples are ideal first food
for babies.

Baby 6+ months
Suitable for freezing

1 ripe apple, peeled cored and sliced

Steam the apple until tender.
Puree until smooth adding some of the water from the bottom of the steamer, breast milk
or formula.
Avocado Puree

Another great first food for your baby that does not need to be cooked. Creamy and soft,
avocados are full of good fats for your baby’s brain and physical development.

Baby 6+ months

1 soft ripe avocado

Scoop the flesh of the avocado with a spoon and either mash with a fork or puree using a
blender or a food processor. Add breast milk or formula, if you wish, to achieve a thinner
puree.

Tip: Contrary to most beliefs, you can freeze avocados. Just stir in a couple of drops of
lemon or lime juice to your mashed or pureed avocado before freezing as this prevents the
avocado from turning brown.
Peach Puree

Lovely, sweet and juicy peaches taste great on their own and appeal to most babies.
Because they are easy to digest and less likely to cause any allergies, they make an
excellent first fruit for your little one.

Baby 6+ months

1 ripe peach, peeled, hulled and cut into quarters

Steam the peach until soft.
Reserve the water at the bottom of the steamer.
Puree until smooth using a blender or a food processor. Add some of the reserved water if
needed to achieve a smooth consistency.
Banana Mash

Bananas are another great first food for your baby and most babies love their texture and
mild taste. Another great thing about bananas is that they do not need to be cooked so they
are easy and fast to prepare.

Baby 6+ months

1 ripe (not brown) banana

Cut the banana into pieces and either mash with a fork or blend briefly using a blender or
food processor.
You will not need to add any liquids but if you want a thinner puree add some breast milk
or formula.

Tip: Pureed bananas do not keep very well in the fridge and tend to turn brown fast so
freeze them immediately to stop the browning process.
Pear Puree

Pear puree is sweet, filled with fiber and Vitamin C. Pears are gentle on the baby’s tummy
and thus make a great first baby food.

Baby 6+ months

1 ripe pear, peeled, cored and cut into quarters

Place the pear in a steamer and steam gently until tender.
Reserve the water at the bottom of the steamer. Puree the pear until smooth adding some
of the reserved water, breast milk or formula if needed.
Papaya Puree

This sweet tropical fruit might not be the first fruit you will give to your baby, but after
your baby has had fruits like banana, avocado and peach, papaya will make an interesting
and nutritious addition to your baby’s Stage 1 foods. Rich in Vitamin C and beta- carotene
a ripe papaya will have a buttery, sweet pinkish orange flesh. It does not need to be
cooked, but you might want to steam it briefly to make it softer and easier to digest,
especially if you are offering this fruit for the first time.

Baby 6+ months

Cut a ripe papaya lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
Peel and dice any desired amount of fruit.
Steam gently just until slightly softer.
Puree until smooth using the water at the bottom of the steamer, breast milk or formula.
Carrot Puree

This sweet beta-carotene rich vegetable is a nutritious first food for babies.

Baby 6+ months

1 carrot, peeled and cut into cubes

Steam the carrot until soft and puree adding water, breast milk or formula, if needed, to
achieve a smooth puree.
Parsnip Puree

Similar to carrots, parsnips are naturally sweet, smooth and most babies love it.

Baby 6+ months

1 parsnip, peeled and cut into cubes

Steam the parsnips gently until soft.
Puree adding some water, breast milk or formula to achieve a smooth consistency.
Sweet Potato / Yam Puree

This is another wonderfully smooth, sweet and nutritious root vegetable.

Baby 6+ months

Sweet potatoes or yams can be baked. Simply wash and poke holes in the sweet potato,
wrap in tin foil and bake in the oven at 400˚C for about 40 minutes, until soft. Cut and
scoop out the flesh. Puree or mash until smooth adding water, formula or breast milk.
To steam or boil, peel and cut the sweet potato into cubes, steam or boil in a little water
until soft. Puree as described above.
Butternut Squash Puree

Butternut squash, like winter squash and acorn squash, is a wonderful first food for your
baby because it makes a flavourful and smooth puree your baby will surely like. Easily
digested, butternut squash is rich in Vitamin A and Folate.
Butternut squash, or any other squash, can be steamed, boiled or baked. Baking is my
preferred way of preparing butternut squash because it really brings out its natural sweet
taste and aroma. It is also the easiest way, because it saves you time you would otherwise
spend on cutting and peeling a squash which can be a bit difficult.

Baby 6+ months

Preheat the oven to 400˚C.
Cut the squash in half lengthwise and spoon out the seeds.
Place the squash “flesh side” down and pour water to slightly cover the cut sides.
Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes or until the squash is soft when pierced with a fork.
Let it cool and then spoon out the flesh.
Puree or mash adding water, breast milk or formula to achieve a smooth consistency.

Tip: Is your baby turning orange? If you notice your baby’s palms, feet or nose are
orange, do not be alarmed, (unless your baby is sickly and more yellow than orange) this
condition is called Carotenemia and it is not life threatening. It is caused due to increased
blood carotene levels and large consumption of carotene rich diet. Simply go a little easy
on the carotene rich fruits and vegetables like sweet potato, squash and carrot.

Peas & Green Beans

The best first greens vegetables for your baby, peas and green beans have a delicate sweet
taste that most babies love. Peas, even though so tiny, are full of protein, while green
beans are exceptionally rich in calcium and Vitamin C.
There is just one downside to both peas and green beans when it comes to homemade
baby food, and that is they are a bit hard to puree into a thin and smooth texture you need
when starting your baby on solids. Combining them with other foods does help in
achieving that smooth consistency, so you might want to wait a bit later instead, and mix
these wonderful greens with some other first vegetables and fruits your baby already tried
and is used to.
If you do decide to introduce either peas or green beans as a single vegetable puree, I find
using an immersion blender gives the best results.

Babies 6+ months

The best way to prepare peas and green beans is to steam or boil them in a little bit of
water.

Clean and snap (trim) a desired amount of fresh green beans and place in a steamer or in a
sauce pan with just enough water to cover.
Steam/boil until soft.
If making a pea puree, open the pods and scrape out the peas.
Steam or boil using the same method above.
Reserve any water from steaming/boiling.
Puree until as smooth as possible, using some of the reserved water.
You may wish to add formula or breast milk.
Cereals

When you look at commercial cereals for babies making your own at home seems
complicated, but it’s not, It’s very easy. You just have to grind whole cereal into flour and
then cook it. You can also mix your baby’s favorite fruits or vegetables with it. There is so
many combinations you can try, that you will never want to buy commercial baby cereals
again. All you need is a good food processor or a coffee grinder. If you do decide to use a
coffee grinder, reserve it only for grinding baby cereal. This will avoid having to clean the
grinder thoroughly each time to get rid off that smell and taste of coffee.
Below I explain in detail how to make some of the first cereals for baby, using oatmeal
and rice.

Oats

Oats are one of the best first cereals to introduce to your baby. I chose to introduce
oatmeal cereal first instead of rice because it seems to be easier to digest and both of my
babies preferred the taste of oats over rice and oats are high in protein and fiber.

When buying oats, organic is a personal choice, but I do recommend you use steel cut oats
if you can, as they are slightly more nutritious than quick cook or instant oats. When
introducing oats for the first time, grind oats into oat flour and then cook it. Once ground,
oats make a smooth cereal which is best for younger babies. You can store whole grains in
a cool and dry place for several months, grind small batches and keep the flour in an
airtight container in the fridge, ready to cook. Once your baby is older, you can start
pureeing already cooked whole oats as a way to introduce more texture.

Cooked oats freeze well, but you might have to add liquids upon thawing, to achieve a
smooth consistency, such as formula or breast milk.
Basic Oatmeal Cereal

1/4 cup of oat flour
1 cup of water

In a sauce pan bring the water to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and add the oat flour slowly
while whisking constantly to avoid clumping. Whisk until cooked. The oatmeal should be
smooth and creamy in texture. Add more water during cooking if needed.
Pear & Apricot Oatmeal

Babies 6+ months
Makes 3 portions

1 cup of water
1 pear, peeled cored and cut into quarters
2 apricots, cored and halved. You can use dry apricots if you cannot find fresh ones.

Cook the oat flour according to the recipe for basic oatmeal cereal.
In the mean time, place the fruits in the steamer and steam until soft.
Puree the fruits until smooth, adding some of the water at the bottom of the steamer, breast
milk or formula if needed.
Stir in the oatmeal cereal and serve warm or freeze in portions.
Apple, Cinnamon & Raisins Oatmeal

Babies 6+
Makes 3 portions

1 cup of water
1 apple, peeled cored and cit into quarters
1/2 tsp of cinnamon or one small cinnamon stick

Cook the oat flour according to the recipe for basic oatmeal cereal.
If using a cinnamon stick, add it to the simmering water at the same time as the oat flour
and discard it once the oatmeal is cooked.
In the mean time, steam the apple until soft and puree until smooth using some of the
water at the bottom of the steamer, breast milk or formula.
Stir in the cooked oatmeal and the ground cinnamon, if not using a cinnamon stick. Freeze
any left overs in portions.

Rice

Like oats, rice is considered to be one of the first foods and is the unlikely to cause any
allergic reaction. Weather you introduce oats or rice first is entirely up to you and of
course depends which one your baby prefers. There are plenty of commercial brands to
choose from, organic or not, and to me it was sometimes overwhelming. So I started to
make my own baby rice cereal and it made it all seem less of a big deal. I advise you opt
for brown rice, it is much more nutritious than white rice because the process of turning
whole brown rice into white rice removes most of its nutrients.

Making your own baby cereal is not only inexpensive, it also minimizes all the altering
and additives you otherwise find in commercial cereals. To begin, you will have to first
grind whole rice into rice flour and then cook it, it is as simple as this. And as for oats, to
grind whole rice into a fine powder you will need a good food processor or a coffee
grinder. You can store the rice flour in a an air tight container in a cool and dry place for
up to several weeks and cook portions as you go. Once you succeed in making the perfect
smooth rice cereal, a whole world of delicious fruit and vegetable combinations opens up.

Basic Brown Rice Cereal

1/4 cup of brown rice flour
1 cup of water

Bring the water to a boil in a sauce pan, reduce the heat to simmer and slowly add the
brown rice flour while whisking constantly to avoid clumping. Brown rice cereal takes
longer to cook than oatmeal cereal, about 10 minutes. Make sure you whisk during
cooking and add more water if needed, a little at a time.
Peach, Apple & Brown Rice

Babies 6+ months
Makes 3 portions

1/4 cup of brown rice flour
1 cup of water
1 peach, peeled cored and cut into quarters
1 small apple, peeled cored and cut into quarters

Cook the rice cereal according to the recipe for basic rice cereal.
Steam the apple and peach until soft.
Reserve any water at the bottom of the steamer.
Puree the fruit until smooth.
Add the rice cereal to the fruit puree and stir to blend in, adding some of the water at the
bottom of the steamer, breast milk or formula to thin the cereal if needed.
Freeze any left overs in portions.
Banana & Rice Cereal

Babies 6+ months
Makes 3 portions

1/4 cup of brow rice flour
1 cup of water
1 ripe banana

Cook the brown rice cereal according to the recipe for basic rice cereal.
Mash the banana with a fork or puree using a blender and stir in the brown rice cereal.
Add breast milk or formula to thin the cereal if you wish.
Freeze any left over portions immediately.

Stage 2
Carrot, Cauliflower & Peas

Once your baby has had most of the first foods like carrot. You can, then start to combine
different foods to encourage your little one towards different tastes and textures. If you
cannot find fresh peas, it is fine to use frozen ones. They still have all the nutrients and
once cooked, can be refrozen.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 to 4 portions

1 carrot, peeled and diced
2 medium cauliflower florets
3 tbsp of fresh sweet peas. If using frozen peas, cook according to the instructions on the
package and add just before pureeing.

Steam the carrot until soft and set aside.
Steam the cauliflower and peas until soft.
Combine all the ingredients and puree until smooth using some of the reserved water if
needed.

Apple Pear & Cinnamon

Make a plain apple sauce a little more interesting for your baby by combining it with other
fruits. Pears and apples go so well together, add a pinch of cinnamon and you have just
made a real treat for you little one.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

2 small apples, peeled and diced
1 pear, peeled and diced
1/4 tsp of cinnamon

Steam the apples and the pear until soft.
Reserve the water at the bottom of the
steamer.
Puree until smooth and stir in the cinnamon.
For a thinner puree, add some of the reserved water.
Blueberry, Pear & Banana Puree

High in antioxidants, Vitamin A and Vitamin C, blueberries are often called the Super
Food. Another great thing about blueberries is that they do not need special preparation.
Blueberries are not only great finger food for older babies, combined with other fruits they
make delicious purees for younger babies as well.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

1/2 cup of blueberries
1 ripe pear, peeled, cored and cut into quarters
1/2 banana, peeled and cut into chunks

Steam the pear until soft.
Puree all the ingredients together adding the reserved water if needed, to achieve a desired
consistency.
Serve immediately or freeze any unused portions to stop the browning process.
Peach Strawberry Puree

Peaches make delicious baby food and they are easy to digest. Together with strawberries,
they make a sweet summery puree!

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

1 ripe peach, pitted, peeled and cut into quarters
1/2 cup of strawberries, hulled and cut in half

Gently steam the strawberries just until slightly tender.
Puree all the ingredients together until smooth and add some of the reserved water, if you
wish, for a thinner puree.
Apple & Mango Puree

A taste of tropics for your baby!.Sweet, juicy mangoes are rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin
C. Soft, ripe mangoes don’t need to be cooked, but if you are introducing mangoes to your
baby for the first time, you may wish to steam them gently.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3-4 portions

1 apple, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 ripe mango, peeled and diced

Steam the apples until soft and then add the mango.
Steam gently until the mango is soft.
Puree the the fruits until smooth, adding some of the reserved water if needed.
Avocado, Egg Yolk & Banana Puree

Eggs are extremely nutritious. Though some babies might react to egg whites, cooked egg
yolk rarely causes any allergies and can be introduced slowly, mixed with other foods,
after the baby is well on solids. This easy recipe makes an excellent baby breakfast puree.
To save time, you can keep some avocado banana puree in the freezer and some boiled
eggs in the fridge ready to use. Hard boiled eggs in a shell can be kept in the fridge for up
to a week.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 2-3 portions

1 hard boiled egg yolk
1/2 avocado, seed removed
1/2 banana, peeled and cut into chunks

Scoop the flesh of the avocado into a mixing bowl and add the rest of the ingredients.
Mash or puree until smooth adding some breast milk or formula.
Pear & Figs Puree

You might not have thought about giving your baby figs. Figs are highly nutritious and a
great finger food for older babies. Surely they don’t make a nice puree on their own, but
combining them with other fruits like pears, really brings out their sweet taste and they
add an interesting texture for your little one.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

1 pear, peeled cored and cut in to quarters
4 figs, halved with stems cut.

Steam the pear until soft and towards the end, add the figs and steam briefly.
Reserve the liquid at the bottom of the steamer.
Combine the pear and figs, and blend until smooth adding some of the reserved liquid if
needed.

Tips: I prefer using fresh figs, but you can use dry figs too. Simply steam them or boil
them until soft and plump. You can reserve the water, which is where a lot of nutrients will
be.

Butternut Squash, Broccoli & Cauliflower

Butternut Squash adds a delicious, creamy and slightly sweet taste to this vegetable mix. It
is easy and quick to prepare and a great recipe for those babies that otherwise do not like
green vegetables, like broccoli.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3-4 portions

1/2 small butternut squash, peeled and diced
6 each, small broccoli and cauliflower florets

Place the butternut squash in a steamer and steam until tender.
Set aside and reserve the water at the bottom of the steamer.
Steam the cauliflower and the broccoli until soft.
Combine all the ingredients and blend until smooth using some of the reserved water,
breast milk or formula if needed.
Before serving, you can stir in some mild grated mild cheddar for an extra nutritious
puree.

Tip: The average age to introduce cheese is after 8 months, assuming the baby does not
have allergies. Cheese is very rich in calcium and vitamin D, as well as protein. Most
babies actually enjoy the taste of cheese. Some types of cheese you can offer your baby
include: mild Cheddar, Mozzarella, Edam, Parmesan, Swiss, Cottage cheese, Ricotta and
cream cheese.
Butternut Squash & Plums

The smooth delicious butternut squash goes very well with plums. Plums are the best
natural constipation remedy for babies out there, so this puree could come handy. You can
use fresh or dried plums. If using dried plums, simply soak them in warm water until
plump, or steam gently until soft.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3-4 portions

1/2 small butternut squash, cored, peeled and quartered
4 fresh plums, pitted, peeled and cut into quarters

Steam the butternut squash until soft and reserve the water at the bottom of the steamer.
Steam the plums gently until soft.
Puree the fruits together until smooth, adding some of the reserved water if needed, breast
milk or formula.
Sweet Potato, Mango & Apricot Puree

Sweet potato is a vegetable that is simply delicious. This recipe combines sweet potato
with fruit, so it can be both: a nutritious meal and a sweet dessert.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3-4 portions

1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced
1/2 mango, peeled and diced
3 dried or fresh apricots, pitted and halved

Place the potato in a steamer and steam until soft. Set aside.
Gently steam the mango and apricots until tender.
Combine all the ingredients and puree until smooth adding some of the reserved water to
achieve a smooth texture.

Tip: Fresh apricots with rich orange color are truly the best for your baby but you can use
dried apricots too. To soften dried apricots prior to using them in a baby puree, you can
either soak them in warm water or steam them until plump.

Mango,Peach & Strawberry Puree

Here is a trio that will be a new hit with your little one. It tastes and smells amazing.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

1/2 mango,peeled and diced
1 ripe peach, pitted, peeled and quartered
5 strawberries, hulled and cut in half

Add the mango and strawberries, steam briefly until they are slightly soft.
Puree all the ingredients together until smooth, adding some of the reserved water if
needed.
Dragon Fruit & Peach Puree

Dragon fruit is not on the list of first foods but once your baby has tried a variety of fruits
and vegetables, you can offer her or him something different, like dragon fruit. Don’t be
put off by the seeds, they are harmless, in fact, like most seeds and nuts they contain fats
and protein. Dragon fruit is very rich in Vitamin C. Its texture is similar to kiwi and does
not need to be cooked at all, but unlike kiwi, dragon fruit is not acidic. You can also add a
mashed banana or yogurt for a more nutritious puree.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

1/2 dragon fruit, peeled and diced
1 ripe peach, pitted, peeled and cut into quarters

Steam the peach until soft and blend with the dragon fruit until smooth.
Nectarine & Apricot Puree

Peaches are rich Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Like plums, peaches are a great fruit to give if
your baby has constipation problems.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

2 nectarines, peeled, pitted and cut in quarters
4 apricots, pitted and cut in half

Place the fruit in a steamer and steam until soft.
Puree until smooth and add some of the reserved liquid if needed.

Tip: If you don’t like peeling, you can get rid of the skins by placing whole peaches,
nectarines or plums in a pot of boiling water for a minute and then dropping them in a
bowl of iced water. The skins should come off easily after this.
Parsnip & Zucchini

Zucchini or courgette has a very delicate taste but if pureed alone, tends to be very runny
so it is a good idea to pair it with root vegetables like potatoes or parsnips. There is no
need to peel a zucchini, most of its nutrients are in the peel, which, once cooked, is very
tender and easy to puree.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3-4 portions

1 tbsp of olive oil
1/4 onion, finely chopped
1 small zucchini, diced
1 parsnip, peeled and diced

Heat the oil in a sauce pan and fry the onion until golden.
Add the parsnip and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Pour water just enough to cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the parsnip is almost cooked.
Add the zucchini and cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes.
Puree until smooth, adding some of the cooking water if needed.
Baby Yogurt with Avocado & Mango Puree

Choose a plain, unsweetened, pasteurized whole-milk yogurt for your infant as babies
need fats in their diets for proper growth. The culturing makes yogurt easier to digest and
can be introduced before milk at around 7 months.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

2 tbsp of yogurt
1 avocado, halved, with the seed removed
1 mango peeled and diced

Scoop the flesh of the avocado, add the mango and mash or puree until smooth.
Place the yogurt in a small bowl, top with 2 tbsp of the avocado and mango puree and
serve.

Tip: You can keep portions of mango and avocado puree in the freezer and defrost as
needed.

Quinoa

Once your baby is well into solids, introducing quinoa adds new taste and texture to your
little ones menu. These small round seeds are packed with fiber, protein, calcium and iron.
It is only after I learned to love the nutty taste of quinoa myself, I stated to come up with
recipes for my baby.

Grinding whole quinoa into quinoa flour using a food processor or a coffee grinder, will
make a smooth cereal once cooked, that can be frozen. Quinoa flour can be stored in an
airtight container in a cool dry place for up to several weeks. Because quinoa seeds are
tiny and it is introduced usually around 8 to 9 months of age, your baby is probably
already used to some textures so you may wish to skip the whole grinding and making
quinoa flour. Like any other food, quinoa does not have to be bland. It is a very versatile
food so use it and expand your baby’s menu beyond the usual grains like rice and oatmeal.
Basic Quinoa Baby Cereal

1/4 cup of quinoa flour
1 cup of water

Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan, reduce the heat to simmer and add the quinoa flour
while whisking to avoid clumping. Cook for 5 minutes adding more water if needed.
Mango, Banana & Quinoa

Baby 8+ months
Makes 4 portions

1/4 cup of quinoa
1/2 mango, peeled and cut into cubes
1 banana, cut into chunks

Cook the quinoa according to the package instructions.
In the meantime, steam the mango gently just until slightly softer.
Combine the cooked quinoa, mango and the banana.
Puree until smooth using the reserved water if needed for a thinner puree.
Apple, Blueberry & Vanilla Quinoa

Baby 8+ months
Makes 4 portions

1/4 cup of quinoa
1 apple, peeled, cored and cut into quarters
1/2 cup of fresh blueberries
1/4 tsp pure ground vanilla bean powder

Cook the quinoa according to the package instructions and set aside.
Steam the apple until soft and reserve the water at the bottom of the steamer.
Combine the apple, blueberries, vanilla and the cooked quinoa and begin pureeing, adding
some of the reserved water to achieve a smooth consistency.
Roasted Root Vegetables with Rosemary

Roasting is a very good way to cook root vegetables as it brings out their sweet nutty
flavour.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3-4 portions

1 tbsp of olive oil
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 small turnip, peeled and diced
Some fresh rosemary for flavour

Preheat the oven to 400˚C.
Place the carrot, turnip and parsnip in an oven safe dish with cover.
Sprinkle with olive oil and rosemary.
Toss to coat evenly.
Cover and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Remove the rosemary and blend the vegetables until smooth, adding a little bit of warm
water if needed.

Apple & Raspberry Puree

No need to wait for your baby to reach the finger food phase, berries can be a healthy part
of your baby’s diet once he or she starts eating solids. If you are offering raspberries for
the first time, you might want to press them through a sieve.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

1 apple, peeled, cored and cut into quarters
1/2 cup of raspberries

Steam the apple until soft.
Puree the apple together with the raspberries until smooth.

Tip: If you find that the puree is a bit runny, you can add a mashed banana or stir in some
yogurt, cooked oatmeal or rice cereal before serving.
Avocado, Kiwi & Banana Puree

Avocado is one of the best first foods you can offer to your baby. It is nutritious and full of
good fats for baby’s developing brain. Because it is amazingly creamy when mashed, it
will be readily accepted by babies. On top of that it does not require to be cooked and goes
well with pretty much any fruit!

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

Scooped flesh of 1 avocado
1 banana
1/2 ripe kiwi, peeled and diced

Blend all the ingredients using a food processor or a blender until smooth. You will not
need to add any liquids to thin the puree since kiwis are very juicy.

Tip: Kiwis are very nutritious and rich in Vitamin C but they are acidic and can cause
diaper rash. So if you know your baby is sensitive, you might want to wait until later and
start with just a little.

Beets, Potato, Apple & Carrot

Beets have a great color and are rich in calcium and Vitamin C but they are often left aside
and introduced much later. When cooked properly, beets taste amazingly sweet and have a
nice velvety texture babies love. This recipe really brings out all of its flavors. When
selecting beets opt for baby beets, they tend to have sweeter taste then regular beets.
Steaming them with the skins on, is my preferred way of preparing beets, this way not
only most of the nutrients are kept intact, but also, once cooked, the skins peel off easily.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3-4 portions

3 baby beets, washed
1 small yellow potato, diced
1 small carrot, peeled and diced
1 small apple, peeled cored and sliced

Steam the beets until soft, set aside to cool slightly and remove the skins.
Steam the potato and carrot until soft.
Steam the apple until tender and reserve the water at the bottom of the steamer.
Blend all the ingredients together until smooth, adding some reserved water.
Red Pepper & Parsnip

Red bell peppers are much sweeter in taste than green peppers hence a better choice for
baby food. Red pepper and parsnip go very well together. Not only does it make this puree
nutritious and smooth but also, parsnip is less likely to cause any issues to your baby.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3-4 portions

1 tsp of unsalted butter
1 small red bell pepper, core removed and diced

Melt the butter in a sauce pan.
Add the onion and the red pepper and fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the parsnip, pour enough water to cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat and gently simmer until the vegetables are soft.
Puree until smooth adding some of the cooking water if needed.

Potato, Broccoli & Peas

Green vegetables boast high amounts of iron, folate and calcium. Broccoli has a long list
of nutrients and this recipe with potato and peas is a good way to introduce this super food
to your baby.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 3 portions

1 large potato, diced
1/2 cup of broccoli florets
3 tbsp of fresh peas. If using frozen, cook according to the package instructions and add
just before pureeing.

Steam the potato until soft. Discard the water and set aside.
Steam the broccoli and the peas. Reserve the water at the bottom of the steamer.
Puree the broccoli and the peas together with the potato until smooth.
Add some of the reserved water if needed for a thinner puree.
Leek, Potato & Cauliflower

Cauliflower, like broccoli, is rich in vitamin A and C and it is a great addition to your
baby’s diet. In this recipe, adding leek and potato with cauliflower makes a savory meal
for your little one.

Baby 6-9 months

2 tsp of unsalted butter
3 inch leek, cut into slices (only the white part)
2 small yellow potatoes, diced
1/2 cup of cauliflower florets
Grated Parmesan cheese

Heat the butter in a sauce pan, add the leek and fry until soft and fragrant.
Add the potato and pour water just enough to cover.
Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Add the cauliflower and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes or until the potatoes and
cauliflower are soft.
Blend until a desired consistency is achieved.
Before serving, stir in the cheese to taste.
Beef, Sweet Potato & Broccoli

Simple yet delicious meal providing your baby with a good serve of beef and green
vegetables. The sweet potato gives this puree a nice creamy texture and sweet taste which
makes it a good way to get your baby used to meat. You can use chicken instead of beef in
this recipe, it will work as well.

Baby 6-9 months

1 tbs of olive oil
1/4 red onion, finely chopped
100 g of lean ground beef
1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
A handful of broccoli florets

Heat the oil in a sauce pan and add the onion. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until soft.
Add the meat and cook until browned.
Add the sweet potato and pour enough water to cover.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the potato is soft, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Towards the end of cooking add the broccoli florets, cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or
until tender.
Blend the ingredients until smooth.

Tip: Beef is one of the most easily digested meats your baby will eat. When introducing
meat for the first time, I recommend pureeing it completely. When selecting beef for your
baby, look for lean cuts with some lines of fat running through the meat. A little fat will
make the meat more tender. Lean fresh ground beef is the easiest when making home
made baby food, but you can also use eye of round roast and top sirloin cut into small
cubes.
Beef Bolognese with Pasta

Everyone loves pasta and your baby will too. I adapted this recipe for babies from the
original Bolognese Sauce and it is still my baby’s favorite.

Baby 8+ months

1 tbsp of olive oil
1/2 small onion finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1, 3 inch stalk of celery, diced
1 small carrot diced
100 g of lean fresh ground beef or pork, or both
2 ripe Italian tomatoes, diced
1 tsp of tomato paste
2 fresh basil leaves, chopped
A couple of fresh oregano leaves
1/3 cup of pasta shells

Heat the oil in a sauce pan. Add the onion and fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add garlic and fry for another minute.
Add the carrot and celery and fry for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly soft.
Add the meat and cook, until well browned and separated.
Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste.
Add the chopped basil and oregano.
Pour water just enough to cover and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat, cover and let simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until the meat is cooked and
vegetables are soft.
In the meantime, cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions. Drain and set
aside.
Combine the sauce and pasta. Puree until smooth.

Tips: The recommended age for introducing tomatoes is usually around 8 months. This is
not because tomatoes could potentially cause allergies, but mostly because they are acidic
and may be harsh for immature tummies. Tomatoes can also cause diaper rash.
Make sure you cook the tomatoes before feeding them to a baby that is younger than 12
months, as cooking reduces the acidity. There is no need to peel tomatoes, once cooked
the skins are very soft and easy to puree.
Beef Stew with Brown Rice
This is an easy one pot recipe. A delicious blend of meat with carrots, peas and leek
simmered with wholesome brown rice.

Baby 6-9 months

1 tbsp of olive oil
2 inch leek stalk (only the white part), sliced
1 small carrot, diced
1/3 cup of uncooked brown rice, rinsed
1/3 cup of fresh sweet peas. If using frozen peas, add them towards the end of cooking.

Heat the oil in a sauce pan and add the leek.
Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, until soft and fragrant.
Add the carrots and cook for another 3 minutes.
Add the meat and cook, stirring constantly until browned and well separated.
Add the rice and the sweet peas. Pour water to cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer on low, adding more water if needed, until the rice is
cooked and the vegetables are soft.
If using frozen peas, add them now and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.

Tip: In most of my recipes that call for meat, I used beef, chicken or lamb.This is only
because beef and chicken are so easy to puree and both of my babies preferred the taste of
beef and chicken at first, and learned to love other meats later. But all babies are different
and if you think your baby will like it, you can substitute beef or chicken for pork or
turkey. When selecting pork for your baby, choose a center cut roast or chops and trim the
excess fat. You can also use fresh minced pork and even minced turkey meat.
Chicken, Squash, Parsnip & Ginger

Once your baby is well on solids, it is safe to introduce spices and herbs like ginger. Using
a little bit of ginger and combining it with sweet tasting vegetables like squash turns this
simple meal into a real treat for your little one.

Baby 6-9 months

1 tbsp of sunflower oil
1/2 small onion finely chopped
1 tsp of fresh ginger, grated
1 chicken breast, diced

Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the onion, cook for 2 minutes and then add the grated
ginger.
Stirring constantly, cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the ginger is fragrant.
Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the squash and parsnip.
Pour just enough water to cover.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are soft and the chicken is
completely cooked.
Puree until smooth, adding some cooking water if needed.
Chicken Curry with Vegetables

This chicken recipe with mild curry is a wonderful way to introduce your little one to a
world of new tastes and flavors. Also, coconut milk gives this puree a creamy texture and
taste my baby loved. You can also add some cooked basmati rice before pureeing. For
older babies, puree half of the mixture and then stir in the other half; serve with basmati
rice.

Baby 6-9 months

1 tbs of olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 tsp of mild curry powder
1 small sweet potato, diced
1 tomato, diced with seeds removed
1/3 cup of unsweetened coconut milk
A handful of baby spinach leaves

Heat the oil in a sauce pan, add the onion and fry for 2 minutes.
Add the curry powder and stir until the spice is well blended.
Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the tomato and sweet potato.
Pour just enough water to cover and stir in the coconut milk.
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and gently simmer uncovered for a bout 20 minutes or
until the chicken is cooked and the sweet potato is soft.
Towards the end of cooking, add the spinach leaves, cover and cook for another 3 minutes
or until the spinach is wilted.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly before pureeing.

Tip: Using coconut milk in your recipes is not only safe but nutritious. Even organic, hand
pressed or extra virgin coconut oil is considered to be the healthiest dietary oil. Make sure
that when you buy coconut milk, you buy the unsweetened version that has nothing added
to it.
Lamb Tagine

This recipe was inspired by one of my favorite dishes from the Moroccan cuisine: the
tagine. Using the ingredients we find in a traditional tagine I made this delicious baby
puree that will surely please those little taste buds. You can also use beef or chicken
instead of lamb, it will work just as well.

Baby 6-9 months

1 tbsp of olive oil
1 small carrot diced
100 g of fresh ground lamb
1/2 cup of cooked chick peas
1 tomato, diced and seeds removed
4 dried apricots, diced
1 tbsp of dried raisins
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 ground cardamom
1 cinnamon stick

Heat the oil in a sauce pan, add the onion and fry for 2 minutes, until golden.
Add the carrot and fry for another 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the meat and the spices, cook until the meat is browned and well separated.
Stir in the butternut squash, chick peas, tomato, apricots and raisins.
Pour just enough water to cover and add the cinnamon stick.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and leave to simmer gently until the meat is cooked and
the vegetables are tender.
Discard the cinnamon stick and puree until smooth.

Tip: Soaking chickpeas or beans overnight will reduce the total cooking time. Drain and
place the soaked chick peas or beans in a sauce pan, cover with enough water and let
simmer until cooked. Drain and proceed with your recipe. To remove the skins when
preparing chick peas for your baby, simply rinse the cooked chick peas under cold water
and the skins should come off easily. Dry beans, like kidney beans, puree quite well with
the skin on. You can freeze cooked chick peas and beans, just pat them dry with a paper
towel and place them in one layer in a Ziploc bag, this way they will not stick together.
Beef Casserole

Offering your baby red meat around six months of age helps maintain proper levels of iron
and protein to sustain their rapid growth. Cooking meat in a stew or casserole is easy for
you and a great way to prepare meat for babies as it has time to slowly simmer with other
vegetables resulting in a tender, full flavoured meal.

Baby 6-9 months

1 tbs of olive oil
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, diced
3 inch celery stalk, diced
1 sweet potato, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1 bay leaf

Heat the oil in a sauce pan, add the onion and fry until golden.
Add the celery and carrot, cook for another 2 to 5 minutes, until the carrots are slightly
soft.
Add the meat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure it is well
browned and separated.
Add the rest of the ingredients and pour just enough water to cover.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the meat is cooked through and vegetables
are soft.
Blend until smooth adding some of the cooking water if needed.
Fruity Chicken with Winter Squash

Meats like chicken, are recommended as one of the first baby foods due to their high
content of iron and protein, essential for baby’s proper development. Chicken is easy to
digest and easy to puree. To encourage your baby when introducing chicken for the first
time, it is good to combine it with fruits, like in this case, apple and apricots. In this recipe
I used chicken breasts but you can also use darker chicken meat such as thighs and legs.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 4-5 portions

1 tbsp of sunflower oil
1 small garlic cove, crushed
1/2 small winter squash, peeled and diced
1 sweet apple, peeled, cored and diced
3 apricots, pitted and cut into quarters

Heat the oil in a sauce pan and fry the onion until golden, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the garlic and fry for another minute.
Add the chicken and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
Add the squash, apple and apricots.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer on low until the chicken is cooked through, and
the squash and the fruits are soft.
Puree all the ingredients until smooth, adding some of the cooking liquids to achieve the
desired consistency.
Chicken, Potato, Parsnip & Spinach

Spinach is a wonderful leafy green vegetable rich in calcium, Vitamin A and iron.
Combined with potato, parsnip and chicken it makes a delicious baby puree packed with
nutrients.

Baby 6-9 months

2 tsp of sunflower oil or unsalted butter
1/2 a small onion, finely chopped
1 small garlic clove, crushed
2 small yellow potatoes, diced
1 small parsnip, diced
1 cup of baby spinach leaves

Heat the oil in a sauce pan, add the onion and fry until golden.
Add the garlic, fry for 1 minute and then add the chicken and cook, stirring constantly, for
3 minutes.
Add the potatoes and parsnip.
Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer uncovered for about 25 minutes, until the
vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked.
Add the spinach leaves, cover and cook for another 3 minutes or until the spinach is
tender.
Puree until smooth.
Pineapple Chicken with Rice

A taste of Asian cuisine for your baby. Babies usually love the combination of chicken
with fruit.

Baby 6-9 months

1 tbsp of vegetable oil
1/2 tsp of grated fresh ginger
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/3 cup of jasmine or basmati rice
1/3 cup of diced pineapple

Heat the oil in a sauce pan and add the onion, cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the grated ginger and fry for another minute until fragrant.
Add the chicken and cook stirring for 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the bell pepper, rice and pineapple.
Pour water to cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer on low, adding a bit of water if needed, until the chicken is
cooked and the rice and vegetables are soft.
Puree until smooth.

Smooth Yellow Split Pea Soup

This hearty soup will provide a good dose of fiber and protein, which are essential for a
healthy development of your baby. Split peas, like lentils, puree easily into a nice smooth
consistency and are a better choice if your baby is sensitive to beans, which have a higher
level of gas causing sugars.

Baby 6-9 months

1 tbsp of olive oil
1 small garlic clove, crushed
1 carrot, diced
1 potato, diced
1/2 cup of dry split peas, rinsed in cold water
1 sprig of fresh thyme
1 bay leaf

Heat the oil in a sauce pan, add the onion and fry for a couple of minutes.
Add the carrot and the celery and fry until the vegetables are slightly soft.
Add the garlic, fry for 1 minute until fragrant, then add the rinsed split peas and the potato.
Add the thyme and the bay leaf and pour 1 cup of water.
Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to simmer.
Simmer on low heat until the vegetables are cooked and the split peas are soft and fall
apart. Add more water during cooking, if needed.
Remove from heat and let it cool down. Discard the sprig of thyme and the bay leaf.
Puree until smooth and creamy.

Tip: Lentils and split peas, unlike beans, do not require soaking. But they need to be
cleaned from any stones or debris and rinsed well just before cooking.
Lentil Puree

Lentils might not be the first choice of food offered to babies but once the early stage of
introducing solids is over, you can introduce lentils to your baby with this easy recipe.
Your little one will love its creamy texture and slightly sweet taste. Also, lentils provide a
very good source of protein, iron and fiber which babies need at six months of age. In this
recipe I used red lentils, they are easier to digest and cook faster than green lentils.

Baby 6-9 months

2 tsp of olive oil
1/2 of a small red onion finely chopped
1 medium carrot diced
1 medium yellow potato, diced
4 tbsp of red lentils
1 tsp of ground coriander
1 tomato, diced

Heat the oil in a sauce pan.
Add onions and fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the celery and carrot, fry for 5 to 7 minutes until the carrots are slightly tender.
Add the garlic and fry for 1 minute.
Add the potato, lentils and coriander. Stir in the tomato and pour water just enough to
cover.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until the lentils are cooked and the
vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes. Add more water during cooking if necessary.
Puree until smooth.
Sweet Potato, Peas, & Kidney Beans with Parsley

Like all legumes, beans are packed with protein, iron and fiber. Even though they are
wonderfully healthy, some babies might have a hard time digesting them properly and that
is why they are usually introduced between 7 to 9 months, in smaller quantities and mixed
with other fruits or vegetables.

Baby 7-9 months
Makes 3-4 portions

1 tbsp of olive oil
1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced
1/3 cup of fresh peas. If using frozen peas, cook according to the package instructions and
add to the rest of the ingredients just before pureeing.
3 tbsp of cooked kidney beans
1 tsp of chopped fresh parsley

Heat the oil in a sauce pan and add the onion. Fry for a couple of minutes until golden.
Add the sweet potato and the peas. Pour just enough water to cover.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer on low until the sweet potato is soft and the peas
are cooked.
Add the kidney beans and chopped parsley and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Oven Baked Salmon

Fish are highly nutritious and they contain huge amounts of protein and Omega 3 fatty
acids. This hearty and flavorful recipe is surely going to bring other members of your
family into the kitchen. You can also use white fish, like Cod, Haddock, Sole, etc. instead
of Salmon.

Baby 6-9 months
Makes 4-5 portions

250 g salmon fillet, bones and skin removed
1 small sweet potato or regular potato, peeled and cut into thin rounds
1/2 small red onion, cut into rounds
1/2 red or orange pepper, seeds removed and cut into rounds
1 tomato, sliced into rounds
1 tbs of olive oil
1 tsp of chopped fresh dill or parsley

Preheat oven to 400˚C
Cut a piece of tin foil large enough and place it dull side up.
Layer the center of the foil with the potato rounds and place the salmon on top.
Place the onion, tomato, pepper and celery on top of the salmon.
Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with the chopped fresh herbs.
Carefully fold and seal the edges of the foil over the salmon.
Place on the middle oven rack and bake until fully cooked, about 40 minutes.
Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and pour any juices from the cooking.
Puree to your baby’s preferred texture, adding some warm water if needed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dedicated mom brings to life her passion for cooking.

Amra developed her recipes using her deep European heritage and travel rich experience
into complete baby meals that even makes the parents to salivate. Her recipes have the
baby discover their sense with a mix of textures, colors, aromas and taste.

Her first book the Baby Gourmet Cookbook entices mothers into a delicious culinary
adventure specially designed to please the little explorers.

http://www.gourmetbabyfood.com

Baby Gourmet Cookbook - Recipes For Delicious Homemade Baby Food (PDFDrive)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Baby Gourmet Cookbook - Recipes For Delicious Homemade Baby Food (PDFDrive)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BABY

Recipes for delicious homemade baby food

Apple Pear & Cinnamon

You might also like