Make your own baby food!

HOMEMADE BABY FOOD

Sweet Potatoes and Peas

Suitable for children 6 to 8 months
Makes 32-36 cubes or 3 1/4 cups

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes, washed, skins on
1/2 c. peas, frozen
4 small sprigs of parsley, washed, stems removed

· Cut potatoes into small cubes and place in water. Cover and bring to boil on medium-high heat then simmer for 8-10 minutes. Add peas when potatoes are almost done and are fork tender. Cook for about 1 minute.
· Drain (reserve 1/4 c. cooking liquid) and pour into food processor or blender, add parsley. Pulse for about 1-2 minutes or until food is pureed. Add hot cooking liquid in small amounts to create desired texture. You may need to pass it through a mesh strainer to remove some large pieces or bits of skin from potatoes. Let cool.

Fill small containers or ice cube trays with puree and freeze.

Once cubes are frozen, remove them and place into a freezer bag. Seal tightly and label with food type and date. Freeze for up to 2 months.

(This recipe will also work using regular baking potatoes or any winter squash, just check for tenderness of vegetable when cooking. Cooking time may vary.

Carrot and Apples

Suitable for children 6-10 months
Makes 32-36 cubes or 3 1/4 cups

Ingredients:

4 large carrots, washed, peel left on
4 large apples, washed and cored, peel left on

Cut carrots and apples into about 1-inch pieces.
Cook apples and carrots in saucepan with enough water just to cover. Cover with lid and bring to a boil on medium-high heat, then simmer for 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath to place carrots and apples into to stop cooking once they have been drained.
Drain (reserve 1/4 c. cooking liquid) and place into water bath. Remove and pour into food processor or blender. Pulse for 1-2 minutes or until food is pureed. Add hot cooking liquid in small amount to create desired texture. You may need to pass it through a mesh strainer to remove some large pieces or bits of skin from carrots or apples. Let cool.
Fill small containers or ice cube trays with puree and freeze.
Once cubes are frozen, remove them and place into a freezer bag. Seal tightly and label with food type and date. Freeze for up to 2 months.

(This recipe will also work using pears, just check for tenderness of fruit when cooking. Cooking time will be a little less for pears.)

Baby Food Cooking Tips:

1. Cook vegetables and fruit just until tender to retain as much nutrients as possible. You may have to play around with cooking times a bit for best results.

2. Babies need just the essential foods (fruits, vegetables and meats) when cooking. They will not need any seasonings, sweeteners, sauces or gravy to enhance flavor.

3. When pureeing, just combine until foods are chopped well. You can always run it through a mesh strainer to get rid of or mash down large bits.

4. Always remember to transfer frozen food cubes to a plastic freezer bag or container with a good seal in order to best preserve the flavor of the food.

5. For maximum nutrient value, place puree into a medium, tightly sealed container and chill in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.