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

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. Stir to prevent sticking.
    5.   Let cool to lukewarm. Thin until smooth.
    Â  Enchanting Apple
    BASIC/FREEZER
    Golden Delicious, Braeburn, and Gala apples make particularly good apple purée, though almost any variety can be used.
    10–12 SERVINGS
    4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (variety of your choice)
    2 tablespoons water
    1.   In a medium-sized pan, combine apples and 2 tablespoons water.
    2.   Cover and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes until tender.
    3.   Transfer all ingredients to blender and purée until desired consistency is reached.
    Â  Pretty Peas
    BASIC/FREEZER/PARENTS
    Sweet peas burst with flavor and add a nice touch to meat purées or other vegetables such as carrots, cauliflower, and potatoes. Sweet peas are a great introduction to solids foods and will have your child saying “pretty peas” for more!
    4 SERVINGS
    1 cup frozen or fresh sweet peas
    Â½ cup water
    1.   Put the peas into a steamer basket, or place into a saucepan covered by 1 inch of water. Steam the peas until tender, about 10–12 minutes. Reserve water.
    2.   Transfer peas to blender using a slotted spoon.
    3.   Purée peas while gradually adding just enough of the reserved water to reach a smooth consistency.
    Â  Simply Sweet Potato
    BASIC/FREEZER/SUPERFOOD/PARENTS
    Sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants and are easy for most babies to digest. When baked, you can quickly purée by mashing with a fork instead of using a blender. Keep plenty of these carotene-rich wonders on hand; they’ll last longer than fruit and other vegetables.
    8–10 SERVINGS
    2 large sweet potatoes
    2 cups cooled, boiled water
    1.   Bake sweet potatoes on a baking sheet at 350ºF for about 45 minutes or until potatoes start to pucker. Let stand for 15 minutes.
    2.   Slice each potato in half and scoop out flesh into blender.
    3.   Purée while gradually adding just enough water to reach a smooth consistency. Freeze extra portions for up to eight weeks.
    Â  Blushing Bananas
    BASIC/SUPERFOOD/INSTANT/PARENTS
    Use bananas that have started spotting with brown spots because they are ripe and easy to mash. Use the other half of the banana to enjoy for yourself.
    1 SERVING
    Â½ large ripe banana
    1.   Cut banana in half and peel one half, removing any strings.
    2.   Place banana flesh in bowl.
    3.   Mash with a fork until smooth and creamy.
    Â  Avocado Mash
    BASIC/SUPERFOOD/INSTANT/PARENTS
    Avocado is a great first food and provides good health benefits for baby. It’s loaded with monounsaturated fat (the good fat), folate, potassium, and fiber. Because of the fat and high-calorie content of avocado, your baby only needs about 2 tablespoons per serving.
    1 SERVING
    1 ripe avocado
    1.   Slice avocado around the outside lengthwise.
    2.   Twist both sides off the seed of the avocado.
    3.   Scoop out 2 or 3 tablespoons of flesh from one side of the avocado.
    4.   Mash until desired consistency is reached.
    5.   Wrap remaining avocado with the seed in it with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator or make guacamole out of the rest.
    Â  Plum Delight
    BASIC/FREEZER
    Picking the perfect plum is the most important part of this recipe. Choose a plum that is already ripe; it should be soft when you press it. Picking plums that are not ripe enough will result in a bitter, coarse purée.
    2 OR 3 SERVINGS
    1 plum
    Â¼ cup water
    1.   Wash the plum thoroughly. Peel, remove the pit, and cut into quarters.
    2.   Place in a steaming basket over water. Cover and steam until very tender.
    3.   Place plum into blender.
    4.   Purée while gradually adding just enough