Making your own baby food

There are many reasons for making your own baby food, freshness, economy and of course knowing what ingredients are in it. This is especially important if your baby is at risk of coeliac disease.

If either parent has the condition, the chances are that baby may also have it. Therefore it is wise to stick to gluten free ingredients when first starting bay on solid food.

I gave some easy homemade baby food recipes using fruits on a previous page, now it is time for some vegetables.

Vegetables such as carrots and sweet potato have a naturally sweet taste, so make very good first purees.

A mix of root vegetables

Ingredients

100g (4oz) potato, peeled and chopped
100g (4oz) carrots, peeled and chopped
50g (2oz) parsnip, peeled and chopped

Method

Steam or boil the potato and vegetables until tender, 20-30 minutes.

Push the potatoes through a sieve or mash, and blend the other vegetables in a bay food blender. Mix, with a little of the cooking water, to make a good consistency for your baby.

NOTE: You could substitute other root vegetables providing they can be pureed. Parsnip has a stronger flavour so is best used in smaller quantities.

This recipe would make about 3-4 servings, and can be kept in the fridge for up to 48 hours or it can be frozen until required. An ice cube tray can make these easy to store.

Baby Puree

Potato, Leek and Broccoli

Broccoli, although a good source of vitamins, has a strong flavour so it is best used in combination with other vegetables when making your own baby food.

Potato has a mild taste making it very suitable for young babies. Do not use a food processor to puree it though, or it will just end up as a sticky goo!

Ingredients

1 leek (60-75g) - use the white part only, washed and sliced
175g potatoes, peeled and chopped
125g broccoli

Method

Put the potatoes in a saucepan with enough water to cover them. Bring to the boil, turn down the heat and cook until tender.

Cook the other vegetables in a separate pan until they are tender - about 10-15 minutes.

Drain the vegetables, saving some of the water to mix with the puree.

Mash the potato or push through a sieve. You can blitz the other vegetables in a baby food blender. Mix everything together with a little of the cooking water until smooth.

NOTE: This amount will make about 3-4 servings and can be kept in the fridge, covered, for up to 48 hours or it can be frozen until required.