Mmm. Mmm. Good! The thought of eating green peas and lima beans can be especially delicious if Mom has taken the time to prepare them herself.
Making baby food at home is fast becoming a mealtime option for many parents to avoid some of the the costs associated with pre-packaged baby foods. Making your baby’s food at home is economical, and you know exactly what is in the food. Plus, if you buy organic fruits and vegetables, you can skip the preservatives and other additives that might not be best for your baby. It’s a recipe for success!
Here are some simple instructions for making baby food at home that can be stored in the freezer for about a month:
- Thoroughly wash fresh fruits and vegetables to remove dirt and possible pesticides. Remove any peels, seeds or stems. While fresh is best, canned or frozen foods can be used, especially if fresh produce is out of season.
- Steam or boil fruits or vegetables until soft. (Note: Steaming is recommended to help retain more nutrients.)
- Puree the food with a blender, food processor or hand mixer until the food reaches the right consistency for your child. You may need to add a little water.
- Strain food to remove any stray peels you may have missed in step one.
- Spoon the pureed food into baby-food freezer cubes. You can purchase the fancy ones or simply use ice-cube trays. If using the latter, cover trays tightly with plastic wrap and place in the freezer. After the cubes are frozen, pop them out and put them in a food storage container or bag. Be sure to label the food with the name and date.
- To eat, remove as many cubes as you need and allow to thaw or thaw in the microwave.
Total preparation time is about 15 minutes. Apples, bananas, plums, apricots, pears, peaches, carrots, peas, green beans, butternut squash and sweet potatoes are a good place to start. Many of them don’t need to be cooked and are already sweetened by Mother Nature. Keep in mind that older kids might enjoy some of the frozen fruit treats, like apples and peaches, straight from the freezer! They make a cool summertime treat for adults and bigger kids!
When your baby is ready to eat, grab one of these delightful mealtime place settings. There’s a pretty picture waiting at the bottom of the plate to celebrate when the food is all gone! These personalized baby bibs also make mealtime fun!