.:Cooking for Baby:.

Toothless and mommy embarked on the oh-so-exciting semi-solid journey when she was 5 months and 3 weeks old. Till date (7 months and 4 weeks) we've tried the following: (note: mommy uses the Avent combined steamer and blender)

Pureed Fruits and Vegs

Pureed Apple

Ingredients: 1 organic apple
Method: cut apple into medium sized cubes, throw into blender, steam for 5 minutes and blend into desired consistency.
Storage: allow to cool and divide puree into ice cube trays (I used plastic 5 ones from 100yen shop). Freeze and pop into glass or BPA free container for storage into freezer. Good for 3 months in the freezer and 3 days in the fridge. One apple makes about 6 cubes. ** Pureed apple contributes to constipation.

Pureed Pear

Ingredients: 1 organic pear
Method: same as above.
Storage: allow to cool and divide puree into ice cube trays (I used plastic 5 ones from 100yen shop). Freeze and pop into glass or BPA free container for storage into freezer. Good for 3 months in the freezer and 3 days in the fridge. One pear makes about 6 cubes. ** Pureed pear helps clear up constipation =)

Pureed Sweet potato

Ingredients: organic purple sweet potato
Method: same as above, steam for 20 minutes and blend into desired consistency. Note: may need to add an extra 10-15ml boiled water when blending to achieved desired consistency.
Storage: allow to cool and divide puree into ice cube trays (I used plastic 5 ones from 100yen shop). Freeze and pop into glass or BPA free container for storage into freezer. Good for 3 months in the freezer and 3 days in the fridge. One sweet potato makes about 6 cubes.

Pureed Japanese Pumpkin

Ingredients: organic Japanese pumpkin
Method: scoop out seeds with a spoon, cut into cubes, steam for 15 minutes and blend into desired consistency.
Storage: allow to cool and divide puree into ice cube trays (I used plastic 5 ones from 100yen shop). Freeze and pop into glass or BPA free container for storage into freezer. Good for 3 months in the freezer and 3 days in the fridge. One pumpkin makes about 24 cubes.

Banana

Ingredients: 1 ripe banana
Method: mash with a fork until mushed.
Storage: haven't stored a mashed banana before... =/
** banana contributes to constipation

Avocado:

Ingredients: 1 ripe avocado
Method: Roll avocado on kitchen counter to loosen meat, half avocado, and scoop out meat. Mash.
Storage: freeze in ice cube trays. Discoloration will occur. Some people have advised treating it with lemon juice to prevent discoloration but I've not tried it before.

Porridge

Scallop Porridge

Ingredients: 1 tbsp uncooked rice, 3 dried scallops (chopped finely), 300 ml water (alter it to reach desired consistency)

Method: Wash rice, throw in all ingredients, boil for 20 minutes, keep stirring until rice is mashed and a desired consistency is reached.

Anchovies + Scallop Porridge

Ingredients: 1 tbsp uncooked rice (organic brown rice), 1/2 tsp anchovies (fried and blended), 1 small dried scallop (chopped into tiny bits), 300 ml water (alter it to reach desired consistency)
Method: Wash rice, throw in all ingredients, boil for 20 minutes, keep stirring until rice is mashed and a desired consistency is reached. Note: lessen anchovies if porridge is too salty. Remember that babies have more sensitive taste buds.

Chicken Porridge

Ingredients: 1 tbsp uncooked rice, 1 tsp minced chicken breast, 300 ml water (alter it to reach desired consistency)
Method: Wash rice, throw in all ingredients, boil for 20 minutes, keep stirring until rice is mashed and a desired consistency is reached.

Spinach Porridge

Ingredients: 1 tbsp uncooked rice, 1/2 tbsp steamed and blended spinach, 300 ml water (alter it to reach desired consistency)
Method: Wash rice, boil for 20 minutes keep stirring until rice is mashed and a desired consistency is reached. add blended spinach. Note: add anchovies for added flavor

** Note: porridge is a major cause of constipation.
Although breastfed babies need no water, it is recommended by paeds to start baby on water once solids are introduced. Start giving baby sips of water (1 tbsp from 6 months on wards and work to getting around 2-4 ounces per day on her first birthday).

More recipes will be added as mommy experiments and Toothless approves =)