201 Organic Baby Purees by Tamika L. Gardner Read Free Book Online

Cuisines
    â€¢Â Â Avocados
    â€¢Â Â Apples (sweet varieties)
    â€¢Â Â Bananas
    â€¢Â Â Butternut squash
    â€¢Â Â Infant cereals (rice, oatmeal, or barley)
    â€¢Â Â Pears
    â€¢Â Â Peas
    â€¢Â Â Pumpkin
    â€¢Â Â Sweet potatoes
    â€¢Â Â White potatoes
    â€¢Â Â Yogurt (baby-specific types)
    If your baby doesn’t seem interested in a particular food, continue to offer the food a few days later and keep repeating this process until she accepts the new taste. She may initially take a tablespoon or so before she is satisfied; however, her appetite and interest will increase over a short period of time. After your baby has accepted the first foods, try offering more variety in the first-stage purées with the recipes featured in Chapters 4 and 5 .
    Â  Homemade Rice Cereal
    BASIC
    Rice cereal is one of the most common first foods for babies. It is easy to digest and doesn’t carry the allergenic potential of other wheat-based cereals because it is gluten free. Make enough for your little one, or prepare a larger serving for the older children!
    3 SERVINGS
    Â¼ cup white or brown rice
    1 cup water
    Breast milk or formula for thinning as needed
    1.   Grind rice into a powder, using a food processor.
    2.   Pour water into a small saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil.
    3.   Add the rice powder into the boiling water, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds.
    4.   Cover the pot, turn the heat down to low, and simmer for 7–8 minutes, or until the rice is a smooth, thick consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
    5.   Let cool to lukewarm. Thin with breast milk or formula to desired consistency. For a baby just starting solids, the cereal should be thin and run off the spoon easily.
    First Cereals
    Rice, oatmeal, and barley are all excellent grains that can be prepared into cereals and introduced to your baby as early as four months old as long as she is developmentally ready. Beware, though, of cereals that may contain wheat. If your family has a history of food allergies, delay introducing wheat and get the okay from your pediatrician to be on the safe side. Also, remember that breast milk, and even organic formula, can be used to thin purées. Water can also be used, but adding the breast milk or formula will give the purée a nutritional boost.
    Â  Homemade Oatmeal Cereal
    BASIC
    Oatmeal is a stick-to-your-ribs type of cereal. The whole grains are excellent for baby and provide sustained energy. A note on 1-cup-water quantities: ¼ cup of oats may be difficult to purée in a full-size food processor. Use a mini grinder when making small amounts, or make a larger amount of oatmeal and store the extra. Keep it tightly sealed, and it will last for 1 to 2 weeks.
    3 SERVINGS
    Â¼ cup regular oats (not quick-cooking)
    1 cup wate r
    Breast milk or formula for thinning as needed
    1.   Grind oats into a powder, using a food processor or blender. Alternatively, a mortar and pestle make a terrific grinder for a small amount.
    2.   Bring water to a rolling boil in a small saucepan.
    3.   Add the powdered oats into the boiling water, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds.
    4.   Cover the pot, turn the heat down to low, and simmer for 8–10 minutes, or until the oats are smooth and thick. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning.
    5.   Let cool to lukewarm. Thin if desired.
    Â  Homemade Barley Cereal
    BASIC
    Barley has a slightly stronger flavor than rice or oatmeal. For this reason, try introducing it after your baby is already accustomed to other cereals.
    3 SERVINGS
    Â¼ cup barley
    1 cup water
    Breast milk or water for thinning as needed
    1.   Grind barley into a powder, using either a food processor or coffee bean grinder.
    2.   Pour water into a small saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil.
    3.   Add ground barley