Fast ideas

It's been a long time since we posted! Annie has been sick and we have also been busy with numerous social occasions. So, I thought I would post a list of super speedy meals that Annie has enjoyed over the past few weeks.

Pureed tinned fruit. Annie particularly likes pears in cranberry juice and it makes a pretty pink puree!
Mashed banana, avocado, cantaloupe with perhaps some rice cereal and breast milk mixed in.
Mashed 'whatever veggies Mum and Dad are eating'
Pick out whatever is bland from the grown ups dinner (for example, I was making a curry, so I put aside a little of the fried onion and chicken whilst I was cooking. Added some of the basmati rice and some left over steamed broccoli. Blended with a little cooking juice and Annie relished it.)
Yoghurt and fruit


Annie has also tasted fried rice squashed between my fingers, the inside of a samosa, fruit icy poles, chocolate self-saucing pudding (egg free) and she LURVES crushed 'pepparkakor' which is a crispy Swedish gingerbread. I wouldn't say that these are particularly healthy things but we only gave her a taste! : )

Fast and yummy - apricot swirl

I don't have a photo of this yummy 'dessert' but thought I would post it anyway....

one small tin* of apricots in juice (not syrup)
commercial rice cereal to thicken

Strain the apricots out, reserving the liquid. Blend the apricots until pureed, adding a little juice if required. Thicken the puree using commercial rice cereal, to the texture your baby prefers.

* you can use a large tin if you know that your baby likes to eat apricots. Just freeze any 'extras'.

Parsnip, carrot, apple and pea puree

This puree is decidedly good! I added a knob of butter and cracked pepper and had it for lunch myself!
3 small parsnips
2 carrots
3 tbs peas
1 apple

Peel and trim the parsnips and carrots. Peel and core the apple. Dice the larger ingredients. Use your preferred cooking method until the vegetables/apples are soft. Let cool and puree. Strain the vegetables through a sieve to remove any large pieces of pea shell. Enjoy!

Banana and blueberry porridge

It doesn't look that appetising, but I can tell you that it's delicious enough for me to eat!!!



1/2 a banana
10 big juicy blueberries (I used frozen)
3 tbls water
About 3 tbls commercial rice cereal

Put the banana, blueberries and water into a dish and microwave on high for 2 minutes.
Let cool. Puree using a hand blender (or whatever method you use). Thicken with rice cereal to the consistency your baby prefers.

Plum and rice porridge with plum puree

Commercial rice cereal is high in iron which can cause constipation. I added plums to add taste and extra fibre.
5 tinned plums
3 tbs commercial rice cereal
breastmilk/formula or boiled cooled water

1. Remove the pips from the plums and push through a seive. Put aside.
2. Make the rice cereal according the instructions on the packet.
3. Add a few tablespoons of plums and mix well.
4. Spoon some plum puree over the cereal layer.

Purple sweet potato and zucchini puree

220g purple sweet potato
1 baby (gourmet) zucchini
3 tbs water

1. Wash and peel the sweet potato and dice into 1cm cubes.
2. Wash and trim the ends of the zucchini. Dice into 1cm cubes.
3. Add 3 tbs water and simmer gently until soft, with lid on - approx 10 mins.
4. Allow to cool and then blend in a food processor or use a hand blender.

Annie found this mash a bit thick so I added a little breast milk to make a smoother consistency. Otherwise, it was eaten with relish and the left overs made such wonderful finger paint.......

Carrot, peas and corn puree (Currently Annie's favorite)

2 carrots
2 tablespoons of peas (fresh or frozen)
2 tablespoons of corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
water

1. Peel the carrots and trim the ends. Slice thickly. Place into a small dish if microwaving or in a saucepan if using the stove.
2. Add peas and corn
3. Add enough water to cover the vegetables
4. Steam, microwave or boil vegies until just soft
5. Puree (I use a hand blender)
6. Strain through a sieve (to remove corn and pea hulls which can get stuck in baby's throat) Note: If you have blended the vegetables thoroughly you should not have much remaining in the strainer.