Fruit Recipes (Stages 1 and 2)

Stage 1

Some moms believe that fruits should be introduced a couple of weeks after the vegetables. The reason is purely taste! Fruits are sweeter and babies may not like vegetables if introduced to fruits first.

Good options to introduce fruits are apples, pears, bananas, avocado, papaya, plums and prunes.

• Homemade Apple Sauce (add pears for a great taste and variety!)
  

- 6 Red Delicious apples

- 2 cups of water

Wash thoroughly the apples. Peel and slice them, getting rid of the core. Boil in water for about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the stove. Don't throw the water away, it contains several minerals and vitamins. Blend the content with a hand mixer, or a blender until it turns into a smooth paste.

Add iron fortified cereal (whole rice or oatmeal) if desired.

Preparation time: about 25 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber.

• Mashed Bananas with Cereal and Formula or Yogurt
  

- 1 banana

- 1 teaspoon of rice or oatmeal cereal

- 1-2 teaspoons of formula or yogurt (only if your baby has already been introduced to yogurt!)

Peel the banana and mash with a fork. Add the formula/yogurt and stir. Add enough cereal until desired consistency.

Preparation time: about 5 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in potassium, magnesium, calcium and folate (vary by chosen ingredients).

Stage 2

• Berry Banana Shake
  

- 1 banana

- 5 oz. organic whole milk or formula

- 6-8 pitted cherries, and/or 2 tablespoons or blueberries (you can use frozen berries or cherries)

Peel the banana and wash the cherries and/or berries. Mix them all in a tall container. Add the milk or formula. Blend the ingredients using a hand mixer, or a blender. Pour the mix into a sippy cup. You may need to use a strainer otherwise the small pieces may clog the spouts/straws. Babies absolutely love this shake!!

Preparation time: about 5 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in antioxidants, potassium, calcium and protein (vary by chosen ingredients).

• Finger Breaded Banana (you can use other fruits too!)
  

- 1 banana

- 1 tablespoon of iron fortified whole rice or oatmeal cereal

Peel the banana and cut it in cubes small enough to be picked up by baby's little fingers. Spread the cereal on a small plate and toss the banana cubes on it, covering each cube entirely. This will allow the baby/toddler to easily pick up the cubes without sticking to his/her fingers.

Preparation time: about 5 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in potassium, magnesium and iron (vary by chosen ingredients).

Veggies and Legumes recipes (Stage 2)

Stage 2 is appropriate for babies older than 8 months.

• Mashed Broccoli
  

- 1 lb. organic broccoli

- 1 1/2 - 2 cups of water

Wash thoroughly the broccoli florets with water. Cut the florets and stems in pieces and boil in water.

After about 20 minutes poke them with a fork. When the stems are very soft and tender, remove the pan from the stove. Don't throw the water away, it contains several minerals and vitamins. Mash the content with a hand mixer, or a blender until it turns into a smooth paste.

Preparation time: about 30 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber.

• Mashed Azhuki, or Black Beans (recipes also valid for Split Peas, Chick Peas and Lentils)
  

- 1 lb. dry organic Azhuki or Black Beans

- 4 cups of water

Wash thoroughly the beans with water. Soak the beans in water overnight to drastically reduce the cooking time.

The day after, cook the beans with water for 40-45 minutes. Add more water as it dries up. When the beans are very soft, remove the pan from the stove. Mash the content with a hand mixer, or a blender until it turns into a smooth paste.

Preparation time: about 30 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in Iron, protein, folate, potassium and fiber.

• Chicken or Turkey Breast
  

- 1 lb. organic chicken or turkey breast

- 1 1/2 - 2 cups of water

Wash thoroughly the breasts with water. Cut them in pieces and boil in water.

After about 20 minutes check to make sure they are fully cooked. Remove the pan from the stove. Don't throw the water away, it is a delicious chicken stock! Puree the breasts with the stock using a hand mixer, or a blender until it turns into a smooth paste.

Preparation time: about 30 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in protein and fiber

• Salmon or Trout
  

- 1 lb. Salmon or trout filets

- 1 1/2 - 2 cups of water

Wash thoroughly the filets with water. Make sure there are no bones. Boil the filets in water.

After about 15 minutes check to make sure they are fully cooked. Remove the pan from the stove. Don't throw the water away, it is a delicious fish stock! Puree the filets with the stock using a hand mixer, or a blender until it turns into a smooth paste.

Preparation time: about 20 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in protein and omega-3

• Chicken, Asparagus and Zuchini with Herbs
  

- 1 lb. organic chicken breast

- 1/2 lb. organic asparagus

- 1/2 lb. organic zuchini (green and yellow)

- Oregano and parsley

- 2 cups of water

Wash thoroughly the chicken, the asparagus and the zuchini. Cut the chicken breasts, the zuchini and the asparagus in smaller pieces, and boil them all together in water, along with the herbs.

After about 20 minutes poke them with a fork. When the stems are very soft and tender, and the breasts are fully cooked, remove the pan from the stove. Don't throw the water away, it contains several minerals and vitamins. Blend the content with a hand mixer, or a blender until it turns into a smooth paste.

Preparation time: about 30 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber and proteins.

• Chicken, Sweet Potato and Cauli-Flower with Onion
  

- 1 lb. organic chicken breast

- 1/2 lb. organic sweet potatos

- 1/2 lb. organic cauli-flower

- 1 tablespoon of chopped onion

- 2 cups of water

Wash thoroughly the chicken and the cauli-flower with water, and the sweet potato with a brush. Cut the chicken breasts, the sweet potato with the skin, and the cauli-flower in chunks of an inch approximately. Boil them all together in water, along with the onion.

After about 20 minutes poke the pieces with a fork. When the sweet potato is very soft and tender, and the breasts are fully cooked, remove the pan from the stove. Don't throw the water away, it contains several minerals and vitamins. Peel the sweet potato with your fingers. Don't use the skin. Blend the content with a hand mixer, or a blender until it turns into a smooth paste.

Preparation time: about 30 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in vitamin C, betacarotene, antioxidants, fiber and proteins.

• Broccoli with Cheddar Cheese (yummy!)
  

- 1 lb. organic broccoli

- 3 to 4 oz of cheddar cheese

- 1 cup of water

Wash thoroughly the broccoli with running water. Cut the broccoli into chunks, both florets and stems. Boil the pieces in water.

After about 10 minutes poke the pieces with a fork. When the stems are soft and tender, remove the pan from the stove. Don't throw the water away, it contains several minerals and vitamins. Shred the cheese, or cut it into small cubes, and add to the boiled broccoli. Wait until it melts with the heat of the cooked broccoli. Blend the content with a hand mixer, or a blender until it turns into a smooth paste.

Preparation time: about 15 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, calcium and proteins.

• Napa Cabbage with Onion and Eggs
  

- 1 1/2 lb. organic napa cabbage

- 1/2 small organic onion

- 2 large eggs

- 1 cup of water

Wash thoroughly the napa cabbage with running water. Chop the napa cabbage into 1/4 inch slices, and dice the onion. Boil both ingredients in water.

After about 10 minutes stir thoroughly. When the cabbage is soft and tender, throw both eggs (yolk and whites). Stir it again, breaking the eggs, mixing all ingredients. Remove the pan from the stove. Don't throw the water away, it contains several minerals and vitamins. Blend the content with a hand mixer, or a blender until it turns into a smooth paste.

Preparation time: about 20 minutes.

Nutritional value: high in vitamin A, C, folate, iron, protein and calcium.

• Organic Brown Rice and Beans (Great source of Protein!)
  

- 1 lb. organic beans (brown or black)

- 1 cup of dry brown rice

- 1/4 gallon of water

Wash thoroughly the beans. Soak it in water overnight to reduce time on the stove.

Boil the beans with the water in a large pan for about an hour, until the beans are soft. Add the brown rice and let it cook for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked. Stir from time to time to make sure the beans don't burn at the bottom of the pan. Remove the pan from the stove and let it cool off.

Blend the content with a hand mixer, or a blender until it turns into a smooth paste.

Preparation time: about 1 to 2 hours, depending on how long beans were pre-soaked.

Nutritional value: high in iron, calcium, proteins, fiber and carbohydrate.