Food For the Little One

I am mad.

Baby Jayne just turned 4 months old a few days ago, and I am starting to think about what food I can feed her when she turns 6 months old soon enough.

Now, as if having a baby taken out of my body via a small little slit across my tummy wasn’t exciting enough, I actually got all excited about what food to prepare for my baby in 2 months’ time?!!

Told you I am mad.

And so I was browsing for recipes online, and I got very inspired by nice and healthy food I can cook for my little one soon. I’m going to compile all of the lovely recipes into a small scrapbook and start experimenting when the time comes!

Fruit baby food recipes - Baked Bananas With Maple Syrup

1 banana
pinch of cinnamon powder
1 tsp maple syrup
1/2 oz (1 tbsp) unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 350 deg F, 180 deg C.
Slice the banana in half lengthways, then place on a piece of foil.
Pour over the syrup and cinnamon and top with the butter.
Wrap the banana with the foil, seal, then bake for 10-15 minutes.

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Fruit baby food recipes - Frozen Banana Pops

1/2 ripe banana
1/2 ripe peach, peeled and with stone removed
4oz (1/2 cup) plain, natural yogurt
a little pure maple syrup (optional)

Puree all the ingredients together in a food processor.
Pour the mixture into popsicle (lolly) moulds. If you don't have these, an alternative is to freeze the mixture in a large ice cube tray, or in small disposable cups. All you need to do is push in the popsicle/lolly sticks as the mixture begins to freeze.
Serve when frozen. Older babies will be happy to hold the stick - for younger babies, simply squash the banana pops up in a bowl and feed them to baby from the spoon.

TIP: These banana pops make an ideal, soothing treat if your baby is teething.

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Vegetables / Vegetarian Baby Food Recipes - Carrot And Lentil Soup

8 oz (1 cup) dry, rinsed lentils
8 oz (1 cup) carrots, peeled and diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
34 fl oz (4 1/4 cups) of water
1 tbsp olive oil

In a large saucepan, gently saute the onion in the oil, until soft.
Add the lentils, carrots and water.
Bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1-1 1/2 hours, until the lentils are soft.
If necessary, you can puree the soup once it's cool, adding a little water to thin the mixture.

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Vegetables / Vegetarian Baby Food Recipes - Cauliflower Cheese

6 oz (3/4 cup) cauliflower florets
6 fl oz (3/4 cup) milk
2 oz (1/2 cup) grated cheese
2 tsp arrowroot flour
1/2 oz butter

Steam the cauliflower until tender (about 10 mins).
To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a small saucepan.
Stir in the arrowroot flour and cook briefly.
Add the milk slowly, stirring well.
Continue to cook, stirring, until sauce thickens.
Remove from the heat and stir in the grated cheese.
Finally, add the cooked cauliflower.

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Vegetables / Vegetarian Baby Food Recipes - Pumpkin Dinner With Barley

2 tsp olive oil
1/2 small onion
4 oz (1/2 cup) pumpkin, finely chopped
1/2 clove garlic, crushed
4 oz (1/2 cup) pearled barley (pre-soak this for one hour beforehand)
little pinch thyme
12 fl oz (1 1/2 cups) homemade vegetable stock
2 sage leaves

Heat the olive oil in a medium pan. Add the pumpkin and onion and cook gently for a few minutes until golden brown.
Stir in the garlic and herbs and cook until all the ingredients are well browned.
Add the vegetable stock and the pre-soaked, drained barley. Bring to the boil.
Lower the heat, cover, then simmer the mixture gently for around 20-30 mins.
The barley will absorb the liquid, so it is important to check the level of the stock often. Add a little more stock if you need to.
The meal is ready when all the ingredients are nice and moist (but not runny!).