mama cooks:: baby food! (GIVEAWAY!!!!)

Okay, I haven't been around much these days.  Aside from the Project 365, I rarely post.  Lots of stuff has been going on in our house and our kitchen!  With Clark and Kannon both like horses, I have spent a lot of time in the kitchen, brainstorming new recipes, cooking, and looking for the next way to disguise spinach and broccoli.  I have a few recipes to share!

First, I get most of my recipes from Wholesome Baby Food which you should check out if haven't done so already.  This website was my go-to resource when we started solids for Kannon.  Now that Clark is eating solids I find myself referencing the website again, excited to see new combinations and new ideas for even toddler food.

When I am at home the boys eat homemade food.  When we are on the go I revert to squeeze pouches of organic baby food made by Plum, Ella's Kitchen, or HappyBaby and my Boon spoon attachment.  Kannon loves these pouches.  They saved our life when we traveled to California.  They are 100% pureed fruits and vegetables.  They do a great job of sneaking in a veggie with a fruit, and they are mess free.  I was hesitant to order a Boon spoon attachment for Clark but I am so glad I did.  It makes feeding him easier and the handy case is indispensable.   These products are definitely not cheap, but they are a great alternative to bruised bananas, sticky messes, and avoiding sugary snacks like animal crackers.  Trader Joe's makes Apple-Carrot Crushers which at $2.99 for a 4-pack isn't too bad--but you are limited to one flavor.  I dont have to worry about them opening in my bag, I can give one to Kannon when we are stuck in traffic, and he has fun trying to feed Clark! The combinations also give me inspiration for my at-home creations.

In honor of my "pouch love" I am doing a giveway.  On Sunday, March 20, I will randomly select one lucky winner to receive 3 pouches of food and a Boon spoon attachment.  To win you must reside in the US, you must be a "follower", include your email, and you must LEAVE A COMMENT answering the following questions:

1.) What your favorite babyfood recipe is (one of mine or yours)
2.) What is the best time-saving trick you have discovered

Now for some recipes:

Pear-Mango-Sauce
In a large pan, add 3 pears (peeled and cored) and 1 mango (peeled and cored) and cover with a small amount of water.  Bring to a boil, cover, and let steam for 8-10 minutes.  Puree, adding water until it is the desired consistency.

***I reserved a cup of "chunks" for Kannon.  I sprinkled them into yogurt and he loved them!

Apple-Carrot Sauce
Same as above, bring 3 apples (peeled and cored), 2 carrots, and a small amount of water to a boil. Cover and let steam until carrots are soft. Puree, until smooth, and strain through a mesh strainer for a finer puree.

Mango-Banana Puree
Steam a cut up mango and then puree with banana. 

***You dont actually have to steam mango but I do for a finer consistency for our little guy.

Pumpkin-Banana (FAVORITE!)
One can of pumpkin, 3 bananas, puree.  It is that simply.  Plus, they freeze beautifully together!

Pear-Barley
In a pan, bring 1 cup of barley, 3 shredded pears, and 3 cups of water to a boil.  Cover and simmer until barley is cooked.  Puree until smooth and press through a fine mesh strainer.

***I also reserved a cup of this for Kannon.  He LOVED this!  I added some almond syrup and milk and he ate the whole bowl in minutes!

Peas & Pears (I know, weird)
Steam 1/2 cup of peas with 2 pears (peeled and cored) until soft.  Puree adding, water until smooth.  Strain through a fine mesh strainer until smooth.

***I know it sounds weird but both my kids loved this.  I sometimes added cardamom to boost the flavor.

Pear-Berry Puree
Steam 2 pears (peeled and cored) and 1 cup of blueberries.  Puree and strain.  Yummo!

Ginger-Carrot-Apple
Boil a one inch cube of ginger, 2 apples (cored and peeled) and 2 carrots until soft.  Puree, adding water if neccessary and strain.  So delicious!!!!

***I know you dont think of ginger in baby food, but it is delicious and both my kids LOVE it!

Ginger-Apple-Parsnip
Same as above, except roast ginger, apple and parsnip.

Sweet Potato-Apple-Blueberry
Boil 1 peeled, diced sweet potato, with 2 apples (peeled and cored) until soft.  Add 1 cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen) in the last few minutes of cooking.  Strain, reserve water, puree (adding reserved water if necessary).

Final Notes:
My food processor broke, so I have been using my immersion blender and strainer and am happy to say it does a better job pureeing than my food processor! 

Interesting enough, my pediatrician told us to skip the "4-day wait" rule.  She felt that since we have no history of family allergies that it would be fine to try whatever we want.  With a few exceptions, no strawberries, dairy, honey, eggs, until Clark is old enough.  This was music to my ears!  I know Kannon got sick of eating 4 days worth of peas, so it was refreshing to be able to introduce whatever we want.  Also, now that Kannon can handle a spoon, he enjoys the same purees that Clark does.