Beginners Veggies for your Baby or Toddler - Recipe Collection 01
A baby’s first introduction to solids is a momentous day! There is nothing more healthy than an home-made vegetable or fruit puree. Its the only way that you know that there are no horrible hidden preservatives and other colouring or flavours added. You know exactly what your toddler is eating and you can control the tastes and spices accordingly.
Tips and ideas for Beginners
- Most purees can be cooked and frozen immediately in portions that are "just right". Get yourself a set of those small Tupperware or similar plastic containers and off you go.
- Remember to label the containers with the contents and the date. You can quite safely keep them for up to 2 months in the deepfreeze. Try introducing your baby to one new flavour at a time. Fruit puree is usually first as it is so easy to digest.
- You will be amazed at how quickly your toddler will progress on to yummy veggies and other combinations.
- Did you know: In addition to perking up the flavor of the vegetables, mint is well-known calminative, and can help relieve baby's painful gas or colic.
- To make a puree use a liquidiser or blender but you could use a fork or a masher, or you could also push it through a sieve.
- Try combinations that have similar cooking times e.g. butternut and potatoes.
- Purees can be made by steaming, boiling or microwaving the fruit and vegetables. Drain the veggies and fruit very well otherwise you will end up with a runny mess.
- Always mash potatoes with a fork or masher. Don't use a blender or the food processor as they will break down the starch and make the mash too sticky and glutinous.
- You could substitute the water in a recipe with milk or formula to boost the nutritional value. Or use half water, half milk.
- When your toddler is well on his way and is enjoying his new taste sensations, add finely grate cheese to his midday meals, for that extra healthy kick. Avoid cheese at night as its much more difficult to digest.
- Brown rice (or white) is a great substitute for potato, if needed in a recipe. Depending on your baby's skill at chewing, puree the rice to the smoothness he can handle.
- Pasta (noodles) is also a good substitute for potatoes in the recipes. Cook until very well done and then mash to the thickness or smoothness you require.
- Check out our other Yummy “Beginners Fruit” recipes and also “Smoothies and Milkshakes” Recipes for even more ideas!
Other Veggie Ideas and Combinations to try
POTATOES and one or more of:
- Carrots
- Pumpkin
- Butternut
- Gem Squash
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Cabbage
- Spinach
Substitute Pasta Noodles or Rice for any dish containing potatoes.
Apple Sauce or Pear Sauce can be added to any vegetable puree for additional nutrition and they do not affect the basic taste of the vegetables.
Once your toddler enjoys a particular recipe, and can do some “chewing”, introduce very finely ground:
- Chicken Breasts (no skin)
- Cold Meat such as ham - NOT processed polonies and such!
- Poached fish such as Hake
Remember: Don’t introduce too many different tastes too soon! Let your toddler decide what he or she likes and don’t force the issue. There are lots of other ways to introduce those famous green beans later.
Beginner Veggies for your Baby Toddler Recipe Collection 01
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