Baby food ideas for a good start

In today’s world the cost of everything seems to be on the rise with it, baby food. When a child reaches the age that baby food is to be given, even several times per day it can get costly using those nifty jars.

For me, feeding my grand daughter is a fun time of the day and I have developed a few things with which she truly enjoys. I would like to share with you a few of those. With the high cost of propane (natural gas is not available in my area) and the speed of microwave cooking, a lot of my cooking is done this way.

This time of year squash is readily available so I will start with that. I have found the easiest way of cooking a squash that will amaze you! I know it did me the first time I did it.

1 squash - any kind (even acorn), with a sharp knife poke holes in the skin, for steam release.

Microwave for around 30 minutes (depending on the watts of your microwave) you can check it after 15 minutes for tenderness.

It will be HOT so make sure you use hot pads to remove it. Let it set a few minutes until it is able to be handled. Using sharp knife, cut in half, remove seeds with a spoon (gently). Then mash in a bowl for the baby to enjoy! I did not add anything, no salt, no butter. My grand daughter couldn’t get enough of this! Just store the rest in the refrigerator. This, you also may freeze in serving size portions.

Spinach - Wash and rinse the fresh spinach.  Put in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap leaving a vent hole open on the edge.  Steam for 5 minutes or so until tender.  Toss this into a blender or food processor until it gets the consistency you desire. 

This will work well for any fresh greens, broccoli, cauliflower,  babies do enjoy fresh veggies!

Apples - Peel and core the apples, cut into chunks, put in a bowl steam for 5 minutes (depending on the apples, some take a little longer).  Uncover and mash to desired consistency.

This can be made on the stove in a large batch.  Put 5 lbs of peeled and cored apples into large pan, add 1 Cup of water, cover and steam for 20 minutes.  (You may need to add a bit more water during the cooking, keep checking when stirring)  When they are good and mushy, use potato masher to get desired consistency or if you desire food processor/blender.  Put in freezer safe containers and save for a later day.

Any fresh fruits that you enjoy, will be enjoyed by your baby!   Blending or mashing them will make it easier for them to eat.  If going to your farmers market buy in quantity, prepare them as necessary and freeze to keep the freshest taste.  Bananas are the only thing I haven’t tried freezing.  Peaches, pears, pineapples and mangos are great if steamed first then mashed.  Freeze to save for a later day.  Strawberries are best fresh, but can be mashed and frozen, no need to steam. 

Meats - This will be a little trickier, but still effective.  Using a non stick pan with a little oil ‘slow fry’ or steam  any meats of your choice.  Chicken breasts are especially yummy!  Cook until done, then either cut in super tiny pieces or using the food processor/ blender you may need to add a bit of water to this to get the desired consistency. 

Pasta - It is not a good habit to get into, giving babies pasta but if doing so make sure it is paired with good veggies. Such as in a good soup or stew.

Chicken soup for babies - Carrots peeled and cut up, celery cut up, 1 chicken breast cut up in small pieces, 1 potato, 1/4 onion chopped (if desired) 2 -3 Cups of water. Steam the veggies in a bowl in the microwave for about 10 minutes. Pan fry the chicken and cut up. Add everything together and bring to a boil (microwave is fine if not using the stove top) once it comes to a boil then add 1 Cup noodles. Stir to prevent sticking, continue to boil until noodles are done. You can process this if needed, in order to feed a baby.

Eggs - Eggs are a good source of protein and if you are certain there are no allergies, then a poached egg is great for breakfast!  In a small sauce pan fill ½ way with water, bring to a boil, carefully crack egg into the boiling water.  Cook until desired doneness.  Using slotted spoon (you don’t want the water) pull out and mash in a bowl.

For microwave eggs, I just scramble into a bowl and cook for 1 minute.  Then break it up before the baby eats it.

I have found that babies will like most of the food that we eat here at the house, with no seasoning.  So when preparing foods I essentially make 2 dinners, one for the baby with no seasoning and the rest for us.  I would use caution when using tomatoes for a baby until 1 year old, only giving them every so often.  The acids in them may cause diaper rash. 

Getting your baby the right start when they are young will help them in the future, helping to keep them away from fast foods and such.  Yes, it’s really cute to see a baby eat a French fry for the first time, but PLEASE for your sake as well as the baby either don’t do this at all. 

If you happen to have portion size containers, freezing foods in them make it easy for ‘grabbing and going’, just pop the container with a spoon in the diaper bag.  If your having a busy day, you can feed your baby on the run.  No need for fast food!