Baby Food Recipes

I admit to having been one of those people who kind of turns up their nose to baby food. I mean, why would you buy baby food rather than just feed baby what you’re eating? Mashed with a fork where appropriate of course.

But I’m having to change my way of thinking a little bit. Our church family has a weekly potluck dinner every Sunday after the church service, and too often, whatever I feed her there bothers Hadassah’s tummy a lot. I haven’t figured out for sure what it is yet, but until she’s old enough for healthy toddler cookies, my only defense against it has been to take our own, homemade baby food.

Because I’m all about simplicity, and not making a big deal out of things if I can help it, these baby food recipes are, well, really simple – more of a guide than anything. The biggest factor for me, is making sure there’s some sort of fat in baby food recipes for the simple reasons that babies need lots of fat, and that fat helps you feel full. For instance, if I just feed hadassah butternut squash, I notice that she doesn’t seem very satisfied, and wants to eat again soon. But If I put some coconut oil in that butternut squash, she’s as happy as a clam for so much longer. 

For all of these, I like to make a bunch and freeze them in ice cube trays. After they’re frozen, pop them out, and store them in Ziploc bags. For serving, just grab a cube (or three), thaw, and feed to your baby.

Avocado-Banana Mash

• 1 avocado
• 1-2 bananas

Blend or mash together. Serve or freeze. I love this little recipe for it’s ease, and because it gets avocado down babies who don’t really like avocado.

Butternut Baby

• 1 butternut squash
• 1/4 cup coconut oil or butter
• salt (optional)

Steam and peel butternut squash. Mash with oil and salt. Freeze extra.

Sweet potato Munchkin

• Sweet potatoes
• Chicken Broth
• Butter

Steam and peel sweet potatoes. Mash with enough chicken broth and butter to reach desired consistency. I find that sweet potatoes without the broth don’t mash up well, and are too thick for baby to enjoy. The broth also, adds quite a lot of nutritional value, and really makes this recipe a hearty baby meal.

Peas ‘n’ Carrots

• Steam a mixture of peas and carrots together. Mash or blend with butter or coconut oil at a rate of 1-2 Tablespoons of oil to a cup of veggies.

There you have it! I know there are a lot of baby food recipes out there, with lots of nutritious ingredients, but I keep coming back to these because they’re easy, and with the exception of the avocado, cheap. 

Do you have any baby food recipes you’d like to share? Post them in the comments, or if you’re a fellow blogger, leave a link to yours!