baby food

by request, here is how I make my own baby food.
After pureeing in my food processor, I put the food into mini muffin silicon trays and freeze. I use the Wilton Easy Flex Silicon Mini Muffin Pan. Each cup is 2 oz., so I know how much baby is eating by the number of cubes I feed him.
When hard, I pop them out and place them in bags in my freezer, labeled with the date and contents.
The consistency will never be as fine as Stage 1 purchased food, but I have found that it doesn't matter for my kids. Your experience may differ.




*Edit February 2011: Added butternut squash and edited some cooking temps and instructions.
My new favorite baby food tool is a Food Mill. It's like a circular box grater that pushes the food down against rough holes that turn soft food into a very smooth consistency. I use the OXO Good Grips Food Mill.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/OXO-Good-Grips-Food-Mill/dp/B000I0MGKE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1298456628&sr=8-1
Less mess and easier than a blender for clean up. Especially when making multiple batches of different foods.

.Butternut Squash - Half a butternut squash and scoop out seeds. Place cut-side down in a baking dish with enough water to come up the sides about 1/2". Place in a 425 oven and roast until pressure on the thickest part of the squash is very soft. Don't worry if the skin browns a bit. Let the squash cool a bit and scoop out the insides while still steamy. Puree and add water as needed to desired consistency.

Green Beans - I use organic frozen. Heat through in saucepan with a little bit of water and then puree to desired consistency.


Peas - Same as green beans.

Sweet Potatoes - Rinse and wrap in foil. Bake in 425 degree oven until pressure on outside of foil packet shows that the potatoes are very soft. Open packet and let cool slightly. If you do the pureeing while it's still steaming, the potatoes don't seem to need as much water and seem to have a smoother consistency. Slice open skin and scoop out insides. You can either puree with a little water at this point or freeze directly and dilute when you thaw for feeding.

Apples - core and dice into 1" pieces. I leave the skin on, but if your baby has a hard time with digestion, peel all of the apples or even half, before use. Place in saucepan lid and add enough water to come about halfway up the sides of the apples and cook over medium heat until soft.

Let cool then puree in food processor with cooking liquid until desired consistency.

Bananas - add slightly soft bananas to food processor and puree until liquefied.

Peaches - Dice fresh peaches and cook briefly over medium heat with a small amount of water. Let cool and puree.

Pears - Same as apples

Blueberries - You can cook these or not - your call. If you cook them, a little water and medium heat until warmed through. Then puree. If you don't cook them, puree and then if needed add a small amount of water to get desired consistency.