In the beginning of Gavin’s introduction into solid foods, we simply followed the advice of internet pediatricians. We gave him a single fruit or vegetable puree every 3-4 days, and noted which he liked and disliked, and any noticeable reactions (incidentally, plums gave him diaper rash). Considering he ate pretty much everything with the same gusto,

Nomnomnom

we were able to try close to 3 dozen different fruits and vegetables over the following 3 months. Just recently, I’ve been mixing and matching various produce and really getting into the fun part of making baby food.
The following is a recent recipe that Gavin gives a baby thumbs up. As I mentioned in my previous post, we have one of those do-it-all baby food makers, but you definitely do not need one to make these concoctions (and honestly, considering the portion size of the thing, I don’t even use it anymore). All you need is a pot and a metal colander (or sieve) that fits over the pot without touching the bottom, and a food processor or blender.

Ingredients:

  • 3 ripe pears (I use Bosc, but Bartlett is also a great choice)
  •  1 medium parsnip
  • 1/2 cup frozen green beans, defrosted

Preparation:
Peel and chop the pears and parsnip into small cubes. Place the parsnip in the colander or sieve over a pot of boiling water. Cover with a lid or foil and allow to steam for about 5 minutes. Add the pears and steam for another 10 minutes or until the pears and parsnips can be smashed with a spoon. Check the level of water in the pot periodically to make sure enough remains. Add the green beans and steam for an additional 3-5 minutes. Take everything off the stove and place the fruit and veggies in a blender or food processor. Add a bit of the remaining steaming liquid (this has lots of the flavor from the veggies in it) and puree to the desired consistency. Pour into a bowl and allow to cool completely (it’s a good idea to cool in the fridge to avoid bacterial growth).

Bon appetit!