How to Make Baby Food

Making your own baby food can save you money and give you the assurance that your baby is getting the best quality food. It may seem intimidating, but all it takes is 30 minutes once a week!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Blender or food processor
• microwave safe dish
• plastic wrap
• water
• chosen food
• Cookie Sheet or ice cube trays
• Freezer Storage Bags

1. Head to the grocery store and select organic veggies. Frozen vegetables are a good choice because they may contain more nutrients since they are usually packaged and frozen soon after being harvested, whereas, fresh produce can lose nutrients as it travels and sits in the store before being used. If you buy fresh produce, use it right away to preserve nutrients.
2. www.cookthink.com Wash hands and thoroughly wash and peel(if needed) the produce (Frozen produce is already washed). Cut/slice produce to about 1-2 inch thickness if needed.
3. Place prepared food into a microwave safe dish with 2 tablespoons of water. Cover the dish and microwave according to package directions or until food can be easily pierced with a fork.
4. Transfer food to a blender or food processor and puree. Add the cooking juices if needed to achieve a velvety texture. Sometimes you may need to add a little extra water to get the right consistency. Just add a TBSP or 2 at a time.
5. Spoon puree into the sections of an ice cube tray or make "plops" on a cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
6. Once the puree is frozen, wash hands and transfer servings into a freezer zip lock bag and label with the date and type of food. You want to use the puree within 2 months.
7. For meal time, either defrost in microwave, put servings in fridge ahead of time to slowly defrost and then heat in microwave, or put servings in a Tupperware container and bring with you to the restaurant or friends house for dinner-It should defrost on the way and be ready by the time you arrive.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick a day to make a puree and do it once a week. You will gradually develop a variety of frozen purees in the freezer for your little one.
• Add herbs to make the food more interesting such as cinnamon, basil, dill weed or ginger. Just remember, their taste buds are a lot more sensitive than ours so a little goes a long way.
• Introduce foods one at a time.
• Go to the store and look at what kinds of baby food medleys are being sold to get ideas of nice food combinations you can make at home.
• A good time to make baby food is when baby is in bed so you can focus on the task and keep the kitchen sanitary.
• When buying prepackaged veggies, don't buy packages that are frozen into hard chunks-this means that it has been thawed and refrozen and nutrients have been lost.
• Also, don't buy packaged produce that has juice stains or is leaking.
• Check for bruises and freshness when buying fresh produce. Always wash throughly and use soon after purchasing.
• You could also store puree in recycled and sanitized baby food jars, just make sure to leave a little room at the top for expansion in the freezer.
• ALWAYS check the temperature of the food before giving to baby. It shouldn't be hot! If it feels hot, put it in the fridge or freezer for a few seconds so it can cool off and then stir to help it get cool enough for baby.