How to Prepare Tofu for a Baby
Made from congealed soy milk, tofu is a rich source of nutrients, including protein and fiber. Along with health benefits, tofu is a versatile food that can be prepared in a variety of ways for your baby. Use silken tofu to make your own baby desserts and pureed, savory meals. Make healthy finger-food snacks using extra-firm tofu, which also makes a good substitute for meat in any daily recipes. Whichever way you decide to prepare tofu, it will be a healthy addition to your baby's diet.
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Things You'll Need
- Silken and extra-firm tofu
- Baby fruit juice
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Olive oil
- Seasonings
- Bread crumbs
- Baby cereal
Instructions
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Instructions
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Decide which type of tofu you would like to use from the three textures available. Silken tofu is very soft and has a creamy taste, while soft and extra-firm tofu are more substantial.
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Add silken tofu to a cup of your baby's fruit juice and blend together to make a baby fruit smoothie. Alternatively, mix the silken tofu with pureed vegetables, such as carrots or broccoli, for a savory snack. This is a good way to give a baby who has just started eating solids her first taste of tofu.
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3
Cut chunks of extra-firm tofu into bite-sized pieces for your baby to have as finger food. If you would prefer to cook the tofu, fry gently in a small amount of olive oil for around five minutes. For extra flavor, add seasoning such as black pepper, garlic or basil.
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Toss small pieces of extra-firm tofu in bread crumbs or baby cereal and bake in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for around 15 minutes. These crispy tofu pieces can be used as croutons in your baby's soup.
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Consider using tofu as a substitute for meat or fish in a dish your baby has had in the past. Simply follow the recipe as you normally would, and add the tofu instead of the meat. Remember, tofu does not take long to cook, so add to the recipe toward the end of cooking.
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Tips & Warnings
Introduce tofu into your baby's diet at around 8 months of age, according to the Baby Center website.
Because tofu is quite bland, introduce it to your baby mixed with something else in the first instance so she gets used to the taste.
Tofu should be stored in water in an airtight container and placed in your fridge. It is important that you change the water daily. If the tofu smells sour, then it has spoiled and needs to be thrown away.
Be aware that soy is an allergen -- when you first give tofu to your baby, watch out for any signs of an allergic reaction. Consult a pediatrician if you believe your baby might have a soy allergy.
Because tofu cooks quickly, be careful you do not overcook it because this can make it chewy and difficult to digest, especially for young babies.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit tofu image by Silvia Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
