Apples, butternut squash and sweet potatoes are my favorite purees. Why? Because I think they are the easiest to prepare, besides the avocado and banana previously posted. For the butternut squash and sweet potatoes, I just roast them for about an hour in the oven then scoop out the flesh and mash with a hand mixer. The apples saute’ fairly quickly in a saucepan before pureeing in a blender or food processor. You can also bake the apples, which preserves the flavor and nutrition a little more, but cooking them on the stovetop has been easier for me.
These three purees are also very versatile. You can mix them with each other or different meats and other fruits/veggies to make a combo meal. Apples pair nicely with baby cereal, chicken, pears, bananas, etc. Sweet potatoes and squash go well with beef, pork, chicken, peaches and pears. I like to keep frozen cubed purees of different kinds, then thaw and mix as desired, varied by the day. It’s a good idea to serve your baby something different instead of the same meal every day. They do get bored with eating the same tastes, just as you or I would.
I’ll share step by step instructions on how to make these three purees in the coming days. And, since the fall season is approaching, this pumpkin puree will also be great for your sweet little one!
Oh…and today is my 30th birthday. Eek! 🙂
Happy birthday to an amazing cook and mom! May you have a blessed 30th year and many more happy years ahead of you=).
I always made my kids baby food. no store bought stuff for us! good for you for doing this for your kids!
My baby is fast approaching solid food age and I cannot wait to make baby food again!
Do you process yours in a water bath so they don’t have to be refrigerated? I was just noticing the jars they were stored in, and I was curious.
Hi CraftyBaker,
I actually do not use these jars to store my baby food. Instead, I freeze them in cube trays or small plastic baby food containers. The jars were purely for a photo and will be used for spice jars as soon as I get to it. I had them on hand and thought, why not? 🙂
This previous post might help you with understanding more about how I freeze my food.
Thanks!
Nikki
Might you also post what size jars those are when you post the recipe? I did the cubed thing for my son but we have another one due soon, and I wouldn’t mind making larger batches when they get to the age where they can eat a bit more. Thanks… great photo.
Hi Eileen,
Thanks! These jars are 4oz sizes. I actually do not use them to store the baby food. They just served me well for the photo since I had them on hand to use for spice jars. 🙂
-Nikki