We started Lucas on solids when he was 4 months old. To be completely honest, baby led weaning scares me, so we started with simple 1-ingredient puree’s. With a vacation coming up shortly after we started him on food, I decided to focus on the fruits and vegetables most commonly found in some of the most trusted baby food brands on the grocery shelves; sweet potato, avocado, spinach, kale, carrots, quinoa, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, mangos etc. By the time Lucas was relaxing on the beach, he had been introduced to enough foods, that I was able to give him most of the 3 ingredient puree packs available on shelves. If you are experimenting with combinations, and not sure where to get started, below are some of Lucas’ favourite food blends. Don’t expect your standard recipe write up. I freestyle almost everything, and encourage you to experiment as well.
Peas & Pears: This is such a simple one. I use a cup of frozen peas and 2 pears. Steam together for 15 minutes in a steamer basket and then puree with a bit of the cooking liquid in either a blender or with an immersion blender.
Peas, Zucchini, Avocado & Mint:Â This is my newest and accidental combination. I had no idea what I was going to do with the mint in my fridge, had two zucchini’s that needed to be used, half an avocado left over from lunch, and, well, Lucas loves peas. I steamed the peas and zucchini and then blended it with the mint and avocado. Lucas LOVED it. Actually, so did I. I need to figure out what the adult version of this combination is.
Kale, Apple & Roasted Butternut Squash: Hands down, this is Lucas’ favourite, as well as ours. It’s absolutely bursting with flavour! I roast the butternut squash at 400 in just a touch of extra virgin olive oil for 25 minutes, while I steam the kale and apples in my steamer basked. Put this all together in the blender with a touch of cooking liquid for a super smooth puree.
Banana Berry Swirl: This is a favourite at breakfast time. I usually mix a cube of this with some full fat organic greek yogurt or some baby oatmeal. For the most part, I use frozen organic berries when I’m making fruit puree. I steam one full large bag of mixed berries for 15 minutes and then add to the blender with the banana and a bit of cooking liquid.
Baby Berry Mojito: A new take on the one above, but instead of cooking liquid I use chilled full fat coconut milk, and add 8 -10 leaves of mint. I tend to mix this with oatmeal in the morning, so I serve it warm more often than chilled.
Sweet Chicken Pasta: My son HATES poultry, so this is my secret agent way of slipping some chicken into his diet, and he loves it. I boil 2 chicken breasts in chicken stock, bake 1 sweet potato, and steam 2 apples. After blending that all together I mix in 1 cup of over-boiled pastina.
Baby Beef Stew:Â This is a dinner favourite so far. Ground beef boiled in beef stock with onion, peas and carrots. Next time I make this I will try adding brown rice or quinoa before freezing.
Pina Colada Puree: Super simple to make. Steamed pineapple, banana and chilled full fat coconut milk. Throw it in a blender and voila. This is great served chilled with a tablespoon of full fat greek yogurt for breakfast.
Other foods Lucas likes: cauliflower, zucchini, green beans, peanut butter, avocado and cheese
Things he hates:Â poultry of any kind, eggs, rice cereal and mango (he’s allergic)
What have you introduced to your babe that they’ve loved? Any suggestions for new food introductions? Let me know in the comments below or on Instagram.
