A couple of new baby food recipes to share.

August 24, 2010

A couple of new baby food recipes to share.

Thank goodness for a little thing called self control, because Brent and I were licking the sides of the food processor like it was cake batter after sampling each of these. Also, my measurements aren’t exact because I just created these recipes as I went. Go with your gut as to what quantities would work for you.

Chicky Green Peas

Sautee 1 clove of finely chopped garlic in a heavy drizzle of olive oil until brown.

Add half a can of chick peas (garbanzos) and a cup of fresh or frozen green peas.

Add 2 dashes of cumin and sautee until peas are soft.

Add 1/3 cup of chicken or vegetable broth and simmer for 3 more minutes.

Pulse in food processor until desired consistency is reached.

Saucy Chick Peas

Toss the other half of the canned chick peas into the same pan with a heavy drizzle of olive oil and a couple tablespoons of broth.

Finely chop a handful of fresh basil - (I pulled probably 6 or so medium sized leaves off our plant on the front porch) and add to the pan.

Add 3/4 cup of canned or homemade tomato sauce (I used pure tomato sauce - not spaghetti sauce)

Cook for 5 minutes on medium until sauce is bubbly

Pulse in food processor until desired consistency is reached.

Purple Yumminess

This one should come with a disclaimer: Feed only to naked babies because the deep pigments in the blueberries and cherries are sure to stain otherwise.

On medium heat, add 1/2 cup of white grape or apple juice, 1 teaspoon of real vanilla extract, and 2 dashes of cinnamon.

Add a handful of frozen, pitted, cherries and a handful of blueberries.

Dice one whole, ripe peach and add to pan.

Reduce heat to medium low and simmer 8 minutes until all fruit is soft and deep purple in color.

Drain fruit from liquid and add fruit to food processor. Add back just a few tablespoons of cooking liquid.

Pulse to desired consistency.

Everly hung out in her new high chair (more to come on my passionate love affair with this contraption later) and played with toys while I cooked today. I let her taste test each dish and if the flailing arms and wide open mouth mean what I think they mean, she REALLY loved all three.

I’m not a nutritionist or a culinary expert, but I’ve been trying my hand at reinventing and adding new twists to baby food combos I see on store shelves or in cookbooks. These combos are best suited for babies 7 months and up with no prior food allergies. We like big flavors and spice in this house - so if you’re little one isn’t much for garlic or cinnamon - try leaving them out or substituting something else. Experimenting is the best part.

Next up - I’m going to be experimenting with a brown rice and fish combo. And I’ve been brainstorming some sort of baby friendly soup that we can all enjoy. Tonight Evie gummed a broiled stalk of asparagus off my plate while we ate dinner, but I’m looking forward to really, truly sharing a meal together as a family.. I’ll let you know how it goes.

If you get a chance try any of my recipes (or improve them!) I’d love the feedback.

Best,