Cooking for Charlotte: First Baby Food

We’ve been blessed with a good eater (as evidenced by her cheeks and thighs)!  Charlotte transitioned to solids very easily a few months ago.  We started with the basic (and bland) rice cereal and then introduced a variety of fruit and veggie purees.  Other than the cereal, I’ve been preparing Charlotte’s food.  Some things like mashed banana and avocado, don’t really require much effort.  Some of the other purees take a little advanced thought, but it is easy to make a big batch and freeze in individual servings.  I like Baeba’s trays and Baby Cubes.  But you can also just use an ice cube tray.  I use a Baeba Babycook as well as my All-Clad Steamer and a Cuisinart Mini-prep to prepare the food.  The Babycook is a steamer and mini food processor in one but you really don’t need one if you have a steamer and mini-prep or food mill.

I’ve really enjoyed making Charlotte’s food and seeing her reaction to different tastes and textures.

She loves fruit!  I guess all babies prefer the sweetness of fruit to veggies.  But she does love butternut squash, sweet potato, and avocado (I know it is technically a fruit).  She will tolerate peas and green beans.

She hated my first attempt at carrots.  I am hoping the gagging and coughing when she doesn’t like something is not the sign of a drama queen in the making.

We just tried meat for the first time last week.  She enjoyed the turkey but hated the lamb.  More coughing and gagging.  She also now knows that Angus is eager to eat whatever she is eating so she’s been spotted lowering a hand covered with food for Angus to lick.  Angus will be a friend for life.

I love cooking for Charlotte.  As I begin to wean Charlotte, I love that I am continuing to nourish her with the baby food I am preparing.  Cooking for my loved ones is so important to me and I am happy that I have been able to do so for Charlotte so early in her life.  I look forward to many more years of cooking for my gorgeous girl!

Here are a few of Charlotte’s favorites:

Charlotte’s Pear Puree

1 ripe pear

1. Peel and cube a fully ripened pear
2. Mash or puree as desired

Pears do not need to be steamed but it is recommended for babies under 8 months. 

Charlotte’s Peach Puree

1 bag frozen peaches, defrosted

Steam for 3 to 5 minutes.  Puree to desired consistency.

Charlotte’s Sweet Potato

1 sweet potato

Prick potato several times with a fork.  Roast potato at 400 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes (depending on size of potato).  The potato skin will separate easily from the potato.  Mash with a potato masher.  Add liquid, depending on desired consistency.

Charlotte’s Turkey

1/2 pound ground turkey
1/4 cup water

Combine ground turkey and water in a frying pan.  Cook until turkey is browned.  Puree turkey and cooking liquid until desired consistency.