201 Organic Baby Purees (10 page)

 
Simply Chicken Purée

BASIC/FREEZER

Using chicken or vegetable stock boosts the flavor of this purée. Use this purée in combination with other purées or serve alone.

4 SERVINGS

4 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast (about one small breast)

4 tablespoons homemade chicken or vegetable stock

1.   Place chicken in a saucepan with a small amount of water, enough to almost cover the chicken. Cook over medium heat until completely cooked through, about 10 minutes.

2.   Cut into small pieces and place in a blender.

3.   Purée while gradually adding just enough broth or water to reach a smooth consistency.

 
Blueberry Pomegranate Parfait

SUPERFOOD/INSTANT/PARENTS

When blueberries come into season, stock up on them and freeze them whole. Enjoy them all year round in smoothies, pies, and recipes like this one.

1 SERVING

4 tablespoons blueberries

1 tablespoon 100 percent pomegranate juice

2 tablespoons whole-fat plain or vanilla yogurt

1.   Purée blueberries in a blender to a smooth consistency. Push through sieve to remove any fibrous material if necessary.

2.   Combine blueberry purée and pomegranate juice. Fold in yogurt. Serve immediately.

 
Bananas Foster for Baby

SUPERFOOD/PARENTS

A traditional bananas foster recipe includes caramel sauce, sugar, lemon juice, and brown sugar. Make this recipe for an organic remix suitable for baby.

1 SERVING

½ teaspoon unsalted butter

2 tablespoons crushed plain graham crackers

1 tablespoon agave nectar

½ small banana

¹
⁄
₈
teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1.   Melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add cracker crumbs and agave nectar. Stir and remove from heat.

2.   Mash banana with fork. Combine all ingredients and serve.

 
Island Papaya Coconut

FREEZER/SUPERFOOD/INSTANT

Nothing beats that warm island breeze except for the sweetness of this tropical purée. Leave out the rice cereal if you plan to freeze.

2 SERVINGS

4 tablespoons Hiya Papaya (
Chapter 4
)

2 tablespoons organic coconut milk or coconut water

2 tablespoons rice cereal

Combine all ingredients together. Thin with more coconut milk or water if desired. Serve immediately.

 
Cabbage Patch Purée

FREEZER/PARENTS

The cabbage in this recipe literally melts in your mouth it's so tender. For a meal the whole family can enjoy, double this recipe and serve with corned beef brisket!

10–12 SERVINGS

1 small head cabbage, washed and chopped

6 cups low-sodium chicken stock

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

½ cup chopped yellow onion

1.   Add all ingredients to a large pot. Bring to a boil.

2.   Simmer for 1 hour over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

3.   Transfer cabbage to blender using a slotted spoon. Purée to a smooth consistency.

 
Apple and Plum Compote

FREEZER

Golden Delicious, Fuji, or Pink Lady apples make the best choices for this compote as they are sweeter than other varieties.

8 SERVINGS

1 sweet apple

2 small plums

¹
⁄
₈
teaspoon cinnamon

Enough water to cover fruit

1.   Peel apple and plums and cut into chunks.

2.   In a large saucepan, combine apple and plum chunks with cinnamon.

3.   Cover fruit with water.

4.   Cook until apples are very tender and start to break apart, approximately 10 minutes depending on the size of the chunks.

5.   Mash with a potato masher or the back of a spoon. Transfer to blender or food processor if a finer consistency is needed.

 
Pumpkin Crème Pie

INSTANT

Pumpkin pie isn't just for big kids and older adults. Babies can have it, too! This recipe combines the autumn richness of pumpkins with a creamy yet crunchy bite.

2 SERVINGS

½ cup canned (nonsweetened) pumpkin or fresh pumpkin purée

2 tablespoons crushed graham crackers

1 tablespoon crème fraîche

Pinch of cinnamon

Combine all ingredients together and serve.

 
Gingered Pear Crisp

FREEZER

The ginger in this recipe adds a little kick to the pear. It's just enough to add flavor, but take care not to over-spice.

4 SERVINGS

¹
⁄
₈
teaspoon ground ginger

1 medium ripe pear, peeled, cored, and chopped

Crushed organic graham crackers, plain

1.   Add ginger and chopped pears to a medium-sized saucepan.

2.   Cover and cook on medium-low heat for about 7 minutes, until tender. Stir frequently.

3.   Transfer the cooked pears to a blender.

4.   Purée to a smooth consistency. Fold in graham crackers and serve immediately.

 
Chicken Parmesan

FREEZER/SUPERFOOD/PARENTS

Have Italian night at your home with Chicken Parmesan as the main course. All of the ingredients in this recipe can be set aside to make a version suitable for baby.

4 SERVINGS

¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ cup tomato sauce, warmed through

½ cup cooked, unseasoned chicken, chopped

¼ cup linguine, broken into ½-inch pieces, cooked

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1.   Combine Italian seasoning and tomato sauce. Set aside.

2.   Add chicken to blender. Purée until smooth, adding water when necessary.

3.   Remove chicken. Combine with pasta and tomato sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

 
Rosemary Cornish Hen Dinner

FREEZER/SUPERFOOD/PARENTS

This is certainly a recipe that can be made for the entire family with portions taken out to purée for baby. Make sure to remove the skin on the Cornish hen before puréeing. However, season the hen with rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper for the family!

3 SERVINGS

¼ cup broccoli florets

½ cup unseasoned Cornish hen, cooked and chopped

Pinch of dried rosemary

¼ cup mashed potatoes

1.   Steam broccoli until tender, about 7–10 minutes.

2.   Combine hen, rosemary, and broccoli together in a blender.

3.   Purée to a semismooth consistency, adding water when necessary.

4.   Fold in mashed potatoes. Serve. Refrigerate remaining portions for up to three days.

 
Rotisserie Chicken with Wild Rice

SUPERFOOD/PARENTS

Save time on this recipe by purchasing a precooked organic rotisserie chicken from a grocery store that specializes in organic or whole foods. Purée baby's portion and have this dinner for the rest of the family.

4 SERVINGS

1 medium carrot

¼ cup cooked wild rice

½ cup cooked organic rotisserie chicken

1.   Wash and peel the carrots. Cut into small pieces.

2.   Place carrots in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring the water to a boil; then simmer until the carrots are very tender, about 15–20 minutes.

3.   Place the carrots in a food processor or blender with the rice.

4.   Dice chicken; add to the food processor.

5.   Purée to a semismooth consistency, about 30 seconds, adding water when necessary.

 
Minted Peas

FREEZER/PARENTS

Don't know what to do with all the mint growing in your yard? Use some of it to make this minty recipe. Make and freeze big batches of this for later.

8 SERVINGS

2 cups frozen peas

½ teaspoon fresh or dried mint

Pat of unsalted butter

1.   Steam peas until tender, about 10 minutes.

2.   Transfer to blender. Add mint.

3.   Purée while gradually adding water to reach a smooth consistency.

4.   Top with unsalted butter and serve. Freeze remaining portions.

 
Cinnamon Peas Galore

FREEZER/PARENTS

Peas are a great first food that babies tend to enjoy. Give this recipe a try; even though it seems unusual, you'll be surprised! Serve this meal as a side dish to your family dinner. Instead of puréeing, serve the peas whole and top with unsalted butter and cinnamon.

8 SERVINGS

1 cup frozen peas

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Pat of unsalted butter

1.   Steam peas over medium-high heat until tender, about 5–7 minutes.

2.   Transfer to blender and add cinnamon.

3.   Purée until smooth or mash with a fork. Add unsalted butter.

4.   Serve warm. Freeze remaining portions.

 
Applesauce a la Raspberry

FREEZER/SUPERFOOD/PARENTS

Make flavored applesauce in bulk for the whole family to enjoy. Of course, baby will love it, but so will your pocketbook. Applesauce makes a great healthy snack and tastes great when combined with chicken.

4 SERVINGS

1 medium apple

½ cup raspberries

Water or breast milk for thinning as needed

1.   Peel and core the apple, removing all seeds and skin. Cut into pieces and put into a saucepan.

2.   Wash raspberries and place into the saucepan with the apple. Cover with water and bring to a boil.

3.   Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the apples are completely cooked.

4.   Put the fruit into a food processor or blender. Purée until smooth, adding water or breast milk as necessary.

5.   Pour the purée through a fine strainer to remove any seeds from the raspberries.

 
Avocado and Kiwi Mash

SUPERFOOD/INSTANT

The kiwi in this recipe will add a boost of vitamins C and E to the avocado and an interesting taste. Pick a soft and plump kiwi to ensure it's ripe enough for baby. Cut a slice of avocado about 1-inch thick. Scoop fruit from skin.

3 SERVINGS

1 ripe avocado

1 ripe kiwi fruit

Breast milk as needed

1.   Cut the kiwi in half and set aside half for a later meal. Using a spoon, scoop the fruit out of the shell. Cut off the central core and seeds. Put on a plate with the avocado.

2.   Mash together with a fork until smooth. If needed, add a little breast milk for a creamier texture.

3.   If the mixture is not smooth enough for your baby, purée in a food processor or blender until completely puréed.

 
Chicken and Apples

FREEZER

The apples dress up the chicken in this recipe and help create a delicious purée that can be enjoyed either hot or cold. Going on a family picnic? Pack up this dish in your cooler and pick a nice shady tree to sit under with your baby.

2 SERVINGS

1 small apple

½ cup cooked chicken

1.   Wash and peel the apple; then cut into small pieces.

2.   Place the apple in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil; then cook for about 20 minutes, or until the apple is very tender.

3.   Combine the chicken and apple on a plate. Fork-mash until tender, or purée until semismooth.

4.   If the mixture is too thick, add the leftover cooking water from the apple a little at a time until thinned.

 
Fruity Yogurt Parfait

SUPERFOOD/INSTANT

Instead of puréeing fruits, cut them into tiny pieces and add them to purées at this stage. At this point, your baby may want to experiment with chewing and self-feeding, so give her a spoon and let her have some fun!

2 SERVINGS

¼ cup ripe banana,
peach,
or
plum

½ cup whole-fat vanilla yogurt

1.   Remove the skin or peel from the fruit of your choice. Dice into small pieces, then fork-mash until smooth.

2.   Layer yogurt, then fruit, then yogurt into a bowl for a baby parfait.

3.   Serve immediately.

 
Melon Yogurt Chill-Out

SUPERFOOD/INSTANT/PARENTS

Chill out by the pool and enjoy this refreshing treat with your baby. Feel the breeze as you mash up this purée on the spot for baby, without a blender! How cool. No equipment necessary. Make sure the melon is ripe enough for mashing.

1 SERVING

1 slice honeydew or cantaloupe

6 ounces whole-fat vanilla yogurt

1.   Cut a thin slice of a ripe melon, removing any seeds. Slice the fruit off of the rind and fork-mash on a plate.

2.   Blend in the yogurt with a spoon. Mix thoroughly.

 
Cinnamon Applesauce Yogurt

SUPERFOOD/INSTANT

Save time purchasing plain organic applesauce from the store. Adding the cinnamon makes prepared applesauce taste more homemade.

2 SERVINGS

½ cup plain whole-fat yogurt

¼ cup prepared or homemade applesauce

Pinch of cinnamon

1.   Stir the yogurt well to mix the creamy top layer with the rest of the yogurt.

2.   Stir applesauce in with the yogurt.

3.   Add a pinch of cinnamon and mix thoroughly.

4.   Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to two days.

 
Banana Apple Farina

SUPERFOOD/PARENTS

Expand your baby's horizons by trying this recipe using farina, a creamy wheat cereal that's great for breakfast.

4 SERVINGS

1 cup water

3 tablespoons farina

½ very ripe banana

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

1.   Bring the water to a boil. Add farina and stir well.

2.   Reduce heat and cook until the farina thickens, about 1–3 minutes, stirring continuously. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.