; vin aby 4 wee —| ee ee. ae =nang THE HEALTHY Baby Meal Planner Mom-Tested, Child-Approved Recipes for Your Baby and Toddler ANNABEL KARMEL Illustrations by Nadine Wickenden, A A FIRESIDE BOOK Published by Simon & Schuster 5 New York London Toronto Sydney Singapore Pret Po Se RT SOS 6 OO Ores BeeFIRESIDE This book is dedicated Rockefeller Genter to my children, 1230 Avenue of the Americas Nicholas, Lara, and Searitt s Now York, NY 10020) and fo the memory of a a a any frst daughter Copsrignt © 1992, 2001 by Batson Sada Editions, Lad Natasha. “Text copyright © 192, 2001 by Anal Karmel llrightsreserved, including the right of reproduction in hole or in pat in any orm. FIRESIDE and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Ine woeTEsFS21 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available, ISBN 0-671-73019-4 AN EDDISON‘SADD EDITION Edited, designed, and produced by Exldison Sade Editions Limited ‘St Chad's Hose, 148 King’s Cross Road London WCIX SDH Revised edition edited by SP Creative Design. Wickham Skeith, Sulfolk 1P23 8NF Phototypeset in Baskerville MT using QuarkXPress on Apple Macintosh Otigination by Columbia Offer, Hong Kong Printed in Great Britain by Bath Press Colourbooks, Glasgow_ SRUGS CRS Ae SHANA Ee wean ease CONTENTS INTRODUCTION & i i 6 2 s 5 : CHAPTER ONE By THE BEST FIRST FOODS FOR YOUR BABY ¢ 8 20 CHAPTER THREE SIX TO NINE MONTHS, 42 CHAPTER FOUR NINE TO TWELVE MONTHS 72 CHAPTER FIVE ‘TODDLERS 114 INDEX ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 192 i i : CHAPTER TWO , FOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING i i s i e88 Dereees_—- —_ FRC CCCP 6 EPR THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER 2 OS SN ew a INTRODUCTION © any other besotted young mother, I wanted the very best for my babies, As a food lover and Cordon Bleu cook I wanted them to enjoy the wonderful tastes and aromas of fresh foods. With common sense, extensive research, two cooperative infants and a tolerant husband I knew could create delicious recipes, Prepared quickly and easily they would bé beuter for babies and toddlers than commercial vitamin- and iron-fortified powders and bland processed purées with a shelf life of over two years, Poor nutrition can cause problems that will plague our children for the resi of their lives. A recent scientific study found that as many as two-thirds ol cancer cases are linked to the type of food that people eat, The untimel death of my first child Natasha at the age of thirteen weeks was the cataly! that spurred me into writing this book, which has now become a valuable a popular practical guide to parents all over the world. Battles at the dinner table are one of the more dubious pleasures parenthood. Blessed is the mother who has never encountered the tenacious in will of a child who will not eat. I now have three children and the pleasure of seei them enjoy my foods has been a wonderful experience. I am reassured to know thy they are eating good fresh produce, not over-processed convenience foods, Ata time when diet is most crucial to our child’s health, why should m meals come from jars and boxes? There is no great mystique to making yo own baby food, and nothing can be better than home-cooked purées ma from good-quality fresh, natural ingredients, Don’t be overwhelmed by ¢ impressive lists of nutritional information on the labels of commercial ba foods; your own will contain the same goodness but without any addel starches (like maltodextrin, which is the same substance that provides the glu on envelopes and stamps!). ' Not only do home-made purées taste like real food, they are also mul cheaper. Even busy working moms can give their baby the best start in lllINTRODUCTION = a OR eReR Page Seen Eee OSE Rs ARES EAE since foods like mashed banana, avocado, and papaya make excellent no-cook baby purées, You can plan your baby’s memus ahead and, in just two hours, prepare a whole month’s food supply for your baby, freezing extra portions as purée ice cubes. You can also transform many baby purées into delicious soups for the rest of the family by adding broth and seasoning, and many en casserole with vegetables, can be suitable for your baby meals, such as chic if you set aside a portion and cook it without salt or spices. In early childhood, eating habits and preferences (good or bad) are formed for life, so by introducing your baby to a wide range of fresh, stimulating flavors you will help establish a healthy eating pattern, Commercial carrot purées always taste the same, but with home-made purées babies get accustomed to the natural variations in the flavor of home-cooked food, which helps them to adapt to family meals as they grow up. T give feeding guidelines, but there are no hard and fast rules since ever baby develops at his or her own pace, Children need calories to grow as well as an adequate supply of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, These are best provided by a healthy varied diet. Although a low-fat, high-fiber diet is fine for adults, it is not appropriate for young children. Babies should not have salt added to their food, but salt in moderation afier one year is unlikely to do any harm, If there are rules ~ and rules are made to he broken ~ they are to aim for: + Fresh food * Low animal fat + Low sugar * Low salt (no salt before one year! to look at the dietary rules for A baby in the home is an opportuni the whole family, Some of these recipes are so delicious I serve them 4 when entertaining! Babies’ nutrition in their first year probably has greater influence than at any other time of life. This reinforces the need to start early with a good balanced diet. When your child opts for raw fruits and vegetables (which adults imagine kids hate) over sugary candy, you will recognize your success. Good luck. I hope you and your child enjoy many happy meals together! CN a a es em atCAE CAO. ASO Ae ee a cacRY.B at TY. & i F FSO AP SS SP 3A 2 FP AN A THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER a VOCE RAO OSA See CHAPTER ONE _~ ‘W/ THE BEST FIRST FOODS ( FOR YOUR BABY lids. In fact there is no any mothers feel that, once their baby is three months old, the should start feeding baby is different. Physiologicall started on solids. A baby’s digestive system months and foreign proteins very early on may “right” age as ever there is no rush to get your bal ss not fully matured for the first fe increase the likelihood allergic food problems later. However, be warned: socially there is a kind competitive spirit amongst mothers to get their child on to pur I would advise that, provided your child is satis fries as soon as possibl 'd steak ay and growing properly, you should wait until he is between four and six mont old before starting to give him simple solid foods. MILK IS STILL THE MAJOR FOOD, It is very important to remember when: starting your baby on solids that milk is still the most natural and the best food for growing babies. I would encourage moth- ers to (ry breast-feeding. Apart from the emotional benefits, breast milk contains antibodies that help protect infants from infection. In the first few months, they are particularly vulnerable and the colostrum a mother produces in the first few days of breast-feeding is an important source of antibodies which help to build up a baby’s immune system. There are enormous benefits in breast-feeding your child even if itis for as litde as one week. It has been medically proven that breast babies are less likely to develop ce diseases in later life Milk should contain all the nutri that your baby needs to grows. There 65 calories in 4 11 07 (1/2 cup) of milk formula milk is fortified with vitamins iron, Cow's milk is not such a “comple food for human babies so is best not ed until your baby is one ycar old. Sol are introduced to add bull to a baby’s di and to introduce new tastes, textures; aromas: they also help the baby to prac using the muscles in his mouth, Howe CLS METASOID a AONE OD RE HB 4 i 4 E E 4 arene: ‘THE BEST FIRST FOODS FOR YOUR BABY SPeSAl es Lew ae! se giving a baby too much solid food too early may lead to constipation, and fewer nutrients than he needs. [t would be very difficult for a baby to ger the equivalent amount of nutrients from the small amount of solids he will consume as he gets from his milk. Do not use sofiened water or repeatedly boiled water to make your baby’s bottle since they may contain concentrated min- eral salts. Babies’ bottles should not be warmed in a microwave, as the milk may be too hot even though the bottle fee cool to the touch. Warm the bottles by standing them in hot water. There is no fixed rule as to how much milk a baby should consume during the day, However, it is important to make sure (especially as itis highly likely that a bottle may not be finished at each feed) your baby drinks milk at least four times a day up to the age of five months. IF the num- her of feeds is reduced too quickly, your baby will not be able to drink as much as is needed, Some mothers make the mis take of giving their baby solid food when he is bungry, when what he really needs is an additional milk feed Although most babies of six months are perfectly able to drink pasteurized cow's milk, and many mothers, especially in other countries, start their babies on cow’s milk this early, it is best that you continue with breast or formula milk for one year before introducing cow’s milk. Dairy products like yogurt and cheese BVT AME MOM TAOS a TM A NA NAS TD A can be introduced afier six months and are usually very popular with babies. Choose whole-milk products rather than low-fat ones. FRESH IS BEST Fresh foods just do taste, smell, and look etter than’ jars of pre-prepared baby foods, Nor is there any doubt that when prepared correctly, they are better for your baby (and you) Iris inevitable that nutrients, especially vitamins, are lost i the processing of pre-prepared baby foods. Home-made food tastes quite dif ferent from the jars you can buy. (If you were ever to try a blind tasting of popular brands of baby foods, you swould know that it is very difficult to recognise what particular food each jar contains! There is also a very limited variety of single fruit and vegetables, Most of the jars available contain bland combinations ‘of foods puréed to the same consistency so that it is difficult for your child to dif ferentiate one food from another. It can be quite a problem geting your baby to accept the coarser texture of home-made purécs once he is used to the very smooth texture of commercially prepared baby foods, It’s best, therefore, to start cooking for your baby yourself right from the heginning, I believe that your child is less likely to become a fussy eater if he is used to a wide selection of tastes and textures fiom a very early age. You can “wain” your child to enjoy the flavors of freshae A spinach or apple and pea purée rather than crave candy and doughnuts, Why give them sugary and fatty foods when healthy food can be just as enjoyable? YOUR BABY’S NUTRITIONAL The following six are essential mutrients that a child needs for a healthy diet and to promote growth, Proteins: Proteins are needed for the growth and n be used to provide energy (or is deposited as fi) repair of our bodies: any extra ea Proteins are made up of different amino acids. Some foods {meat, ish, dairy s, and soybeans) na tial t© our bodies. Other foods (grains, produce, including chee contain all the amino acids that are legumes, nuts, and seeds) are still valuable sources of protein but do not contain all the essential amino acids z ¥ a i Carbolydrates 4 E Carbohydrates and fa provide our bodies with their main source of energy. The for ich adds bulk to natural laxative. of carbohydrate mer also provide fiber wl our diet and acts a There are wo ty sugar and starch (which in complex form provides fiber). In both types there are wo forms — the natural and the refined. In oth cases, it is the natural form of carbo- hydrate that provides a more healthy alternative. FAS SF 2 I ee Se: HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Se LP aE a a } —___sucars | Natwat — ¥ruitanel fie juices | Vegetables and vegetable juices | Reinet Sugars and honey Sweetened cordial andl sodas Sweet geatins Jellies ane omer preserves Cakes and cookies Wholegrain reali coal Dos beads and pts Legumes peas, aud ei frat ad ets Natural Refined Processed breakfast cereals he. sugar-coated flakes) White flour, breads, and pasta White rice Sugary cookies ena Fats ts provide a concentrated source of energy: The body also nceds to store some fat in order to prevent excessive loss of body heat. ‘Thus a certain amount of fat is essential in everyone’s diet, Foods that contain fats also contain the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. The problem is that many people eat too much fat and the wrong type of fat. eS PA‘VUE BEST FIRST FOODS FOR YOUR BABY i saturated, nimal sources, and unsaturated, which comes from veg- table sources. Tt is the saturated fats that are the most harmful and which may lead to high cholesterol levels and coronary disease later in lif tis important to give your baby whole milk for at least the first two years but try to reduce fits in cooking and use butter and margarine in moderation. Try to reduce saturated fats in your child’s diet by cutting down on red meat, especially fatty meats like lamb; replace with more chicken and fish. This may in fact be a good time to review the whole family’s eating habits, and to cut out all that butter on Daddy's muffin in the morning! ‘There are two types of f which mainly comes from FATS Saturated Butter Land, suet, and drippings Hard margarine Saturated? Meat | Unsaturated gs Cheese and full-fat yogurt Unsaturated Sunflower, grapesced, salllower, Sesame, Soy canola, and olive oils Sofi polyunsaturated | (e.g. mackerel) Vitamins ‘The possibility of vitamin deficiencies in the developed world should not be ignored. ‘The children most at risk are those who follow a vegan diet (no animal products at all) and those who are drink- ing cow’s milk from the age of six months. Pediatricians recommend that these children should take a daily vitamin supplement until they are at least two years old. If children are cating fiesh food in suf ficient quantity and drinking breast or for- mula milk until they are one, vitamin sup~ plements are probably unnecessary. There ate two types of vitamins: wate soluble (Cand B complex) and fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K). Water-soluble vitamins carmot be stored by the body so foods con- taining these should be caten daily. ‘They can also casily be destroyed by overcooking, especially when fruit and_ vegetables are boiled in water. You should try to preserve these vitamins by cating the foods either raw or lightly cooked (in a steamer, for instance) ‘There is some controversy over whether vitamin. supplements can improve your child's 1Q. As vitamins are necessary for the correct development of the brain and ne vous. system, it is important that_yo chile’s diet includes a good supply of ‘vita- mins. An excess of vitamins is potentially harmful so don’t give your child supple- ments unless they are necessary: Children who are picky eaters could benefit by tak- ing a specially designed children’s supple- ment that contains a full range of vitamins. a SDA RU ASAE SOCAL | EAR RS A IAT YAS A SU a SA PA i ' SABIE:——- HME. eS A WS ASS La a ta ‘THE HEALTHY RABY MEAL PLANNER os aS IP a OF SP Na PE a EI I —vrraMN a ss Essential for groweth,healtly skin, tooth ena, cand good vision. i oy Carrots Dark green vegetables (c.g. broccoli) Sweet potatocs Oranges Squash Tomatoes Lentils Watercress Apricots and peaches Whole milk and eggs Butter and margarine VITAMIN B COMPLEX Essential for growth, changing food into energy, maintaining a healthy neroous system, and as an said to digestion, There are a large number of vitamins in the B group. Some are found in many foods, but no foods except for beer and yeast ‘extract contain them all. Meat, especially meat juices (60 use in gravy) and liver Fish Dairy produce and Who Wheatgerm Dark green vegetables Potatoes ‘Yeast extract (eg. Vegemite) Nuts Legumes, Bananas VITAMIN © Needed for growth, healthy tissue, and healing of wounds It helps in the absonption of iran Vegctables such as: broccoli, Brussels sprouis, greens, bell peppers, potatoes, spinach, cauliflower: Fruits such as: oranges and other citrus fruits, blueberries, melon, papaya, strawherries, tomatoes VITAMIN D Essential for proper bone formation, it works in Conjunction ccith clean, Tes fnod inf foods, dna is made by the skin in the presence of sunlight Oily fish, Liver Oils Eegs Margarine Dairy produce VITAMIN E_ Important for the composition of the cell structure, ‘and helps: the body to create and maintain red Blood cells Vegetable oils Margarine Wheaigerm Nuts VITAMIN K Aids in blood cloting, maintains bones, and fe resent in the intestine, Vitamin Kis found in most nugetables and whole-grain cereals.‘THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER SP SP Sk FP a Pa SP 2 is no need to be unduly worried about food allersies, unless there is a Family history. The incidence of food allergy hormal babies is very small and, wath the tendency to a later introduction of solid food between four and six months, they have become even less common. Howev- er, it is still children under the age of 18 months who are most likely to develop a food allergy. Although a lot of children “grow out of it” by the age of two, some allergies _ particularly a sensitivity to exes, milk, shellfish, or nuts — can last for life. IP your child has an allergy, you should tell friends’ parents and the school when he is old enough. Never be afraid to take your baby to the doctor if you are worried. Young babies’ immune systems are not fully matured and babies can become ill very quickly if they are not treated prop. Lactose Intolerance Lactose intolerance is not actually an allergy. Children who suller lactose intole ance lack the substance lactase, an enzyme present in the superficial layers of the small bowel, which breaks lactose down to simpler sugars. Lactose is present in all ‘milks and’ these babies will not be able to drink breast or cow’s milk. «A soya formula is given. If you think your child may be affected, consult your doctor. Sometimes children who are lactose intolerant are able to eat dairy products like cheese and yogurt with no ill effects, AS SA A SA AS EI 14 a 7A TH Cow's Milk Protein Allergy If your baby is sensitive to cow’s milk, consult your doctor who will probably recommend a soya-based milk formula, Unmodified soya milk is not suitable as it is nutritionally inadequate. However, some babies who are allergic to cow’s milk are also allergic to soya-based milks, and for these babies there are a number of hypo-allergic milk formulas available ‘on prescription. Breast milk is the best milk for babies who are allergic to cow's milk, but mothers may need to limit their intake of dairy foods themselves as these can be translerred to their baby through breast milk, No dairy products are tolerated in this condition, and in the weaning diet milk free vegetable or soya margarine may be substituted for butter, and carob for milk chocolate, Very offen babi allergy by the age of two. S outgrow this Fags Eggs can be given to your baby from the age of six months but they must be cooked thoroughly until both the white and the yolk are solid, soft-boiled eggs can be given alter one Fruits Some children can experience aan adverse reaction to citrus and berry fruits. Rosehip or blackcurrant, both of which are rich in Vitamin C, make good alternatives to orange juice.ACT CAT ELT CLEVE DAO LARS AER ATS Be VHE Bi Honey Honey should not be given to children under 12 months as it can cause infant hotulism. Although this is very rare, it is best to be safe as a baby’s digestive system is too immature to deal with the bug juts Iis rare to be allergic to tree nuts such as walnuts and hazelnuts, However, peanuts can cause a severe allergic reaction, In families with a history of any kind of food allergy, avoid all products containing peamut until the child is about three years old. Where there is no history of allergic disorders, peanut butter can be used after the age of one year, Because of the dan- ger of inhalation, whole nuts should not be given to young children under five years of age. Even ground nuts should be avoided for at least the first seven: months. Gluten If there is a family history of gluten intol- erance, then babies under six months must EST FIRST FOODS FOR YOUR BABY SPC ART AS SA A AR OS a A OT follow a gluten-free diet, but it is prefer- able for all young babies. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, and oatmeal, and gluten sensitivity can cause celiac disease which, although rare, can be serious. Choose gluten-free varieties of baby cereals and tecthing biscuits. Baby rice is the safest to try at first, and therealier there are plenty of ghiten-free products for thickening and baking (soya, corn, rice, millet, and potato flours). Brown rice, rice noodles, and buckwheat spaghetti are also good alternatives. PREPARING BABY FOODS Preparing and cooking baby foods is not difficult, but, because you are dealing with a young baby, considerations like hygienc mist be of the utmost importance Uguipment You will already have most of the equip- ment you need (mashers, graters, strainers, ete.) but the following pieces are vital! Food mill A hand-turned mill or ricer with variable cutting discs purées the food and removes seeds and skin which can be diffi- cult for a baby to digest. Iti ideal for dried apricots, corn, and green beans. Blender or food processor This is useful for purécing larger quantities. However, foods for young babies will ofien need to be pushed through a strainer afterwards to remove any indigestible seeds and skin, ‘Steamer The best way to preserve the fresh taste and vitamins in fruits and v ACCA SAS SLT EAE AS SAT. CAS SLETSAS SAE sgetab E ABA ALE SE OOD | 5 LAS OA TATHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER ARS 7 A A SP wh S F is to cook them in a steamer, It is worth buying a good multi: { steamer which will enable you to cook several different foods at the same time, (A colander placed over a saucepan, with a well-fitting lid, is cheaper alternative.) Sterilizing At first, it is very important to sterilize bottles properly, and particularly the teats that your baby sucks, by whatever approved method you choose. Warm milk is the perfect ig ground for bacteria and if bottles are not properly washed and sterilized, your baby can become very ill. It is also best to sterili the dishes and spoons you use for feeding your baby. It would be impossible, however, to sterilize all the equipment you use for cooking and puréeing baby food, but take extra care to keep every thing very clean, Use a dishwasher if you have one: the water is a€ a much higher temperature than iCwould be possible to use if washing the utensils by hand and it helps to steri- lize your equipment. However, once it is removed from the dishwasher, it docs not remain sterile; bottles should be filled with milk immediately and then stored in the refrigerator. Dry the utensils with paper towels rather than a non-sterile dish towel All milk bottles should continue to be sterilized until your baby is one year old There is really not much point in steriliz- ing spoons or food containers beyond the OO SS SF AS a we 4 ! ! i L A PA A 2 age when your baby crawls antl puts every- thing in reach into his mouth. Cooking Baby Foods Fruit and vegetables can lose nutri when they are cooked so it makes sense to cat some both cooked and raw. However, raw ones would be difficult to digest for a young baby so, until the age of six months, most fruit and vegetables (apart from ripe bananas, papaya, peaches, nec- tarines, and avocados) should be cooked. As the baby grows tecth and learns to chew, the fruit or vegetables canbe cooked more lightly in order to retain Vit- amin G and crispness. After about six months, your baby can have purées of raw fruit’and fresh grated fruit; raw or al dente vegetables can be given as a ager food. Cook in many ways —boilin microwaving, stewing, or ba avoid fat-based methods of cooking such as frying (or cut down on the amount of fat used). Steaming and microwaving are by far the best methods to maximize on nutri- tional benefits. ‘The water in which, or over which, vegetables have been cooked. (so long as it docs not contain salt) could be used as a drink or as the cooking water lor something else, such as pasta, Try also to maximize on fuel economy; steam a nun ber of different foods at one time before puréeing and storing separately Gook Iruit and vegetable purées for your baby by whichever method you choose. In 16 Wace: a sTHE BEST FIRST FOODS FOR YOUR BABY 9 AR A SA SA A a 4 . each case make sure the purée is complete- another 2 minutes or until tender. Gook- ly smooth, with no lumps. Later on you can ing times will vary according to how hard adjust the te IS as jure of the purée to suit your the fruils or vegetables are to begin with, baby as he starts to chew. Freeze any purée Blend, mash, or mill to the right consis- you are not using straightaway. tency, adding water as necessary. Boiling or steaming Wash fruits or vegetables Ficezing Baby Foods carefully, pecl, seed, or pit as necessary, — Whenever possible, prepare more food and cut into small pieces, Add just enough than is needed. immediately and then: ‘water to cover and simmer uniil tender, or freeze the remainder in ice-cube trays for bout [0 minutes, see individual future meals. ‘There are a limited number Drain or remove from the steam- of foods that do not freeze well. (like er, retaining the cooking water, then bananas and avocados) but most foods can blend, mill, or mash, adding some of the be frozen with excellent results. ‘Thus, in cooking water or a litle formula or breast one or two hours, you can prepare enough milk to bring it to the correct consistency to feed your baby for a month — making for for your baby. a happier mother and baby and more time for you to spend together. Throughout this Microceaving Wash and peel, seed, or pit book, the snowflake symbol denotes those the fruits or vegetables as necessary, and recipes that are suitable for h cut into slices. Putin a suitable microwave You will need a freezer wh c dish with a little water or milk (about food to 0°F or below in 24 hours, and ster- 2 tablespoons for | cup sliced fruit or veg- ile packaging. AL the earliest stages, when cables). Cover, leaving an air yent, and only teaspoons of food are being taken, microwave on High for about 3 minutes, this means plastic ice-cube trays (sterilize Uncover, stir, re-cover, and then cook for these as well) and plastic freezer bags Qe SASS CSM ASM SAS EAE AE WS LENE SSeS A [OA A PC a S17VHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER 2a BS 2 Sa PP a FREEZER STORAGE TIMES Fruits 6 months Vegetables 6 months Purges with milk: 4-6 weeks Fish 10 weeks Red meat ancl chicken 10 zeveks Gook and purée the food as described in the recipes, cover, leave to cool, then freeze until hard in ice-cube ways, Knock ‘out and store in clearly labeled freezer bags. Label the food with the expiration so you never give your baby food that is past its best. ‘To thaw one meal, remove the relevant nber of cubes of food from the bag {only one at the very beginning) and leave at room temperature for an hour. Heat thoroughly; cool, then serve immediately IL using a microwave, stir well to make sure there is an even distribution of heat, and allow to cool. Always test the temper ature of food before giving it to your baby. Fruits to be served cold can thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Never re-fieeze meals that have been frozen al and never reheat them more than once INTRODUGING NEW FOODS Thave listed below when you should duce particular foods to your baby. This is not an exhaustive list and you should refer to cach chapter for more information, Apple, pear; banana papaya Carrot, potato, ‘auechini, squash, green beans, rutabaga, sweet potato Dried fruit, peach, Kiwi, apricot, plam, welon, avocado .. Peas, celery, hell pepper Chicken, dairy products, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, greens, leck 4 5 months 4 5 months 5-6 months 5 6 months 6 months Foods containing ghuterr 6 months By 6 months 6 months mango 6-7 months Mushrooms, corn 67 months Red meats 6-12 months Split pea, lima beans, lentils 8 9 months Shellfish over 2 years _| MBAL PLANNERS In the next chapter I have devised some meal planners which will help you throughaS ASME LENE S STS ASS ASS SE EASES THE REST the first weeks when you start to wean your baby. There are endless variations on the foods that can be given and the order in which they can be introduced. It is also worth noting that some babies may prefer to have solids at lunch. time rather than breakfast. If your baby’s last meal is close to bed time, avoid giving him anything heavy or diflieult to digest. ‘This isnot the time to experiment with new foods if you both want a good night’s sleep. T have tied to give a wide choice of recipes, although T expect that meals your baby enjoys would be repeated several times and this is where your frvezer is usefil In each subsequent chapter, there are crs for your baby which you may follow or simply use as a guide. Adapt the charts according to what is in season and what you're preparing for your family. From nine months onwards, you should be able to cook for your baby and family Loge r perhaps cating the recipes you SDA AO LT RST FOODS FOR YOUR BABY SOR AR AS ND A SA SAA A AT give your baby for lunch and supper for your own supper, provided you do not add salt to your baby’s portion before one year Tn these latcr charts, I have set out four meals a day but many babies are satislied swith three meals and some healthy snacks. Many of the vegetable purées can be transformed into a vegetable soup, and some vegetable dishes can serve as good side dishes for the family baby some of the vegetables you are pre~ paring for the family, make sure they have not been salted. In the later chapters maun recipes are suitable for the whole fami 1a recipe isa symbol of two faces ng, the other gloomy’ ~ cach with a check box. You will find these usefia in recording your successes (or otherwise) \ Again, if you give th 19) OSCR A ARE AS A EO PASTA ET OAS SSN ew Su ries Exsxemeanweas| ‘THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER - FOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING ecently there has been a lot of pressure on parents to start their babies R: solid food much cartier than four months — this pressure was variously commercial, medical, and social (keeping up with the neighbor's baby!). However, these ideas have begun to change, as many People are realizing that giving babies solid foods too early can cause food allergies. A baby’s digestive system is not capable of absorbing foods more complex than milk or formula until the baby is at least four months old.FOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING WHEN TO START WEANING Exery baby is different and some larger babies may not be getting enough to satis- fy them. Your baby will let you know when she needs to start solids — if she is no longer satisfied after an 8 {1 07 boule, if the interval between feeds becomes short- cr over a prolonged period, or if she starts becoming unsettled during the night Another sign is when she reaches out and tries to chew everything in sight! ‘THE FIRST SOLID FOODS “Solids” is a strange word for the mush we give to our babies and is a little mislead~ ing, Try only one food at a time at the very beginning. Ofler apple purée, for instance for a couple of days before giving your baby p nana. In that way, if there isa reaction, you will know what cansed it Later on, you can make it more interest- ing by combining different foods The other vital point is nol to reduce your baby’s milk intake. Milk is still the most important factor in her growth and development. On pages 38 41 T have set out some feeding charts which will help you when you start to wean your baby. Use these charts as a guide, adapting them accord- ing to what is in season and what you are preparing for your family Rive Initially I would advise giving one of the commercial baby rice cereals. ‘These although refined, are enriched with mins and iron (check the label) and th should also be free of sugar and salt. (This information will be printed on the box. In fact, this is a good time to start reading the lists of contents of all boxes, jars, and cans to look out for undesirables.) Baby rice is so casily digested. Make it up with baby milk or cooled, boiled water according to the instructions on the box. Fruit Since most babies are born with a “sweet tooth” (breast milk is naturally sweet), you should have no trouble getting your baby to enjoy cating fruit. Fruit that is ful is naturally sweet. If you think a pur sour-tasting, you can add a little apple juice. Remember, though, that the baby actually prefer something less sweet than you, and that is all to the good! Most fruits provide Vitamin Cand minerals, and yellow fruits contain Vita- min A. At first a baby should have cooked cs of fruits like apples and pears, or ncooked mashed banana or papaya. At about six months, your baby can graduate to other raw, mashed fruits: pears, melon, peaches, grapes, and plums are all delicious as long as they are ripe. Fresh fruits are best, but fruits canned in their own juice or water (notin a syrup) could also be used. Dried fruits should be i duced later on and in small quantities although they are nutritious they tend to be a laxative. If you are worried about the useTHE HEALPHY BABY MEAL PLANNER, . organic fruit and vegetables c. However, it is always best 10 wash, and peel where appropriate, all fruit and vegetables before giving them to babies. Vigetables Some people prefer to start their babi ‘on vegetables rather than fruit. Because most babies will take to eating fruit quite happily, they feel it is important to estab lish a liking for more savory tastes. ‘At the beginning, when introducing a baby to solids, itis hest to start with root vegetables, particularly carrots, since they are naturally sweet. Different’ vegetables provide different vitamins and_ minerals (for instance, green vegetables provide Vitamin C, and yellow provide Vitamin A) so a variety is of value at later stages. Many vegetables have quite strong fla- vors — broccoli, for instance ~ so when solids are fairly well established, you could mix in some potato or baby rice and milk to make them more palatable. Very young babies like their food quite bland. Note that all fruits and vegetables can also be cooked in a microwave (see page 17 for general method) TEXTURES Atihe very beginning of weaning, the rice and fruit or vegetable purées should be fairly wet and soli. This means that most vegetables should be cooked until very soft so that they purée easily. You may need to thin out the consistency of the purées since babies are more likely to accept food in a form. To do this, you can use ilk, fruit juice, or some boiled water As your baby gets used to the feel of ‘solid food” in her mouth, you can gradu- ally reduce the amount of liquid that you add to purées, which will encourage her to chew a little. This should be a natural process as she should want to chew her food as she starts teething (this usually occurs between six and twelve months). You could also thicken the purées if neces sary with some baby rice or crumbled teething biscuit. As your baby becomes older and solid feeding is established (at about six months), some fruit can be served raw and vegetables cooked more lightly (thereby retaining more Vitamin G). Food can also be mashed or finely chopped to encourage chewing later on, Remember to peel, core, and seed frui ry before cooking and/or put ing them (or put them through a food mill). Vegetables with fibers or seeds should be strained or put through a food mill for a smooth texture, The husks of leguminous vegetables eamnot be digested by a baby at this stage.FOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING QUANTITIES, AL the very beginning, don't expect your baby to take more than | 2 teaspoons of her baby rice or a fruit or vegetable purée. For this you should need one portion — in this section, this means a single cube from an ice-cube tray, This is approximately 1 tablespoon in volume, but you'll need this much because of spitting and spills! By the time your baby is six months, she could have graduated to eating | tablespoons of solids at cach meal, which means thawing vo frozen food-cubes. DRINKS Water, as outlined on page 13, is the best drink to offer. But freshly squeezed feuit and vegetable juices have a good nutrition- al value, being high in Vitamin C. A juicer is a useful appliance to have at home. Dilute fresh juices with an equal amount of cooled, boiled water, (Never boil fruit juices or they lose their vitamin conten Apple juice is not high in Vitamin G but is still a good drink and baby juices, available in a variety of flavors, including apple, are usually fortified with Vitamin C. Over the next pages 1 give guidance on the preparation of different fruits and vegetables, «| They are not all suitable straight away so an indication of when they can be introduced is given on page 18. TIPS FOR INTRODUCING SOLIDS Make the rice or purée fairly wet and sofi at first, using breast or for- mula milk, an unsweetened juice, or cooking water. A handy tip is to mix the purée in the plastic removable top of a feeding botde (which has been sterilized) Hold your baby comfortably 0 your lap or sit her inher baby chair: Tt would be better if both of you were protected against spills! Choose a time when your baby is not frantically hungry and maybe give_her some milk first to partially satisfy her she will then be more receptive to the new idea Babies are unable to lick food off a spoon with their tongues, so choose a small, shallow plastic tea spoon off which she can take some food with her lips. (Special feeding spoons can be bought.) Start by giving just one solid feed during the day, about 1-2 tea- spoons to begin with. [ prefer to give his feed at lunchtime.‘THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FOUR ‘TO FIVE MONTHS Apple Choose a sweet var ium apples. Put into a heavy pan with enough water too and cook over a low heat until soft (about 10 minutes). Or steam over water for 10 minutes. Purée. Apple and Cinnamon + 2 dessert apples, prepared as above, covered in apple juice with a cinnamon. stick, Cook as above; remove stick before purée MAKES 5 PORTIONS Pear Peel, halve, and core 2 pears, then cut into small pieces. Cover with a luke water, then cook over a low heat until soft (about 5 minutes) Or steam over water for the same length of time, Puree. When your baby is six months or older, there is no longer any need to cook the pear before mak- it imto a purée, provided that MAKES 5 PORTIONS, Banana Mashed banana makes ideal baby food. Tt is easy to digest and rarely causes allergie reaetions. Choose a small, ripe banana and mash well with a fork to make it as smooth as possible. Add a little boiled water or baby milk if it is too thick and sticky for your baby to swallow If the banana is not ripe enough, split the skin and heat ivin the oven or microwave for a couple of mi utes (0 ripen before preparing, Do not freeze bananas. 1 PORTION Papaya Papaya is an excellent fruit t0 give to a very young baby. It has a pleasing, sweet taste which is not oo strong and blends within se ones to perfect texture. Ripe fruit has a yellowish skin. Cut a medium papaya in half, remove all the black seeds, and scoop out the flesh. Purée, adding a litle formula or breast milk if you like MAKES 4 PORTIONSFOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING Cream of Fruit Gombining a fruit purée with baby milk and baby rice or crumbled rusk can make it more palatable for your baby. Inthe next few months, when your baby may start, cating some other exotie fruits ike mango and kiwi, this method of “diluting” the fruit purées. with, milk will make them less acidic Peel, core, steam, or boil and purée the fruit of your choice as deseribed and for each 4-portion quantity of prepared fruit, you should stir in 1 tablespoon unfla~ vored baby rice or hall a low-sugar teething biscuit and 2 tablespoons aby milk. MAKES 3 EXTRA PORTIONS, ‘Three-Fruit Purée This is a delicious combination of s that your can eat. Mix 2 teaspoons cach of pear ple purées {see page 24) with half a banana, mashed, Later (alier six months), you can use hall’ a raw ripe pear, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks. Purée this and the half banana in a bl der until smooth, then mix together with the 2 tea- spoons of cooked apple purée. MAKES 4 PORTIONS Carrot Small, thin carrots are sweetest, so choose these if possible. Peel, trim, and slice 2. medium carrots. Place in a pan of lightly boiling water, cover, and simmer for about 25 minutes or until ve tender. Drain, reserving the cool ing liquid, and purée to a smooth consistency, adding as much of the reserved liquid as necessary. ‘The cooking time is longer for Il babies. Once your baby can chew, cut the time down to pre- serve the Vitamin C and keep the vegetables more crisp. MAKES 1 PORTIONSTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Rutabaga, Turnip, or Parsnip Use hall’ a rutabaga, or °/: cup of turnip or parsnip, scrubbed, pecled, and cut into small cubes. Cover with “4 cup boiling water and simmer, covered, until tender (about 20 min- |. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid. Mash well with a fork, adding c liquid as necessary. MAKES § PORTIONS Butternut Squash Butternut squash has a naturally sweet flavor which is popular with babies. Peel a butternut squash, weigh- ing about 12 oz. Remove seeds and cut the flesh into I-ineh cubes. Steam or cover with boiling water and simmer for about 15 minutes or until tender. blender and make a puré little of the cooking liquid. MAKES 6 PORTIONS ‘ety of green bean is suite able but smaller, younger beans are more tender. ‘Trim, remove any stringy bits, and then cut the beans diagonally into thin slices to make 1 cup. Steam until tender (about 12 minutes), then put in a blender and process, Add a little boiled water or baby milk to make a smooth purée. Later on whole beans make great finger food with a sauce (see Green Fingers, page 92) MAKES 4 PORTIONS Broccoli and Cauliflower Use 1 cup of either: Wash well, cut into small florets, and then add a good cup boiling water. Simm covered, until tender fabout 10.15, minutes). Drain, reserving the cook ing liquid. Purée until smooth, adding a litle of the reserved liquid (or baby milk) to make the purée the desired consistency, Or steam the florets for about 15 minutes for better flavor and retention of nutrients, Once your baby has tecth and can chew, reduce the time to 8 LO minutes to keep the vegetables crisp. Add boiled water or baby milk 10 make a smooth purée. MAKES 4 PORTION!FOUR TO SID Zucchini Wash 2 medium zucchini carefully, remove the ends and slice. (The skin is soft, so does not need to be removed.) Steam until tender {about 10-15 minutes), then purée in a blender or mash with a fork, (No need to add extra liquid.) MAKES 8 PORTIONS Potato Carefully wash a small (4-07) pota- to, removing any blemishes from the skin, then cover with '/» cup boiling water and simmer until tender (about 20-30 minutes). Peel off the skin, then put through a mill or mash until smooth. Add enough baby milk t@ make the purée the desired consistency. Alternately, bake a potato in the oven preheated to 400°F for about 1 hour or until soft. Scoop out the inside and mash with a Tittle baby milk. (Later on, keep the baked wre very good for babies to chew on when they are teething) Small quantities can be cooked economically in the microwave. Avoid using a food processor to purée potato, as it breaks down the starch to leave a sticky pulp. MAKES 5 PORTIONS MONTHS AND WEANING A creamy purée can be made with many different vegetables by adding mill and baby rice. Make a purée with '/e cup of cubed carrot (page 25). Mix 2 3 teaspoons unflavored baby rice with %+ cup warm baby milk, Vary the amount of rice according to how thick you want the purée. Stir the baby rice misture into, the vegetable purée. Half a low-sugar rusk mixed witha similar quantity of wes milk will also make a creamy rée. Allow the rusk to soften in the aby ak bere vanes eee vegetable purée of your choice. MAKES 12 PORTIONS. Potato, Zucchini, and Broccoli Combining potato with gre cables makes them more palatable for your baby. Peel and chop a medium potato, Boil in water below a steamer for 15 minutes or until soli. Reduce the heat and steam 1 trimmed and sliced zucchini with V4 cup broccoli florets above the potato for the last 10 minutes of cooking time. Drain the potato and purée with the other vege tables, adding enough baby milk for a smooth consistency. MAKES 7 PORTIONSTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Potatoes and Peas with a Hint of Mint Mint perks up the flavor of this recipe but you can leave it out if your baby prefers. Pecl and chop 1 large potato (10 02) and put in a saucepan with 1 2 sprigs: mint Pour over boiling water, cover and cook for 6 mimutes. Add + cup frozen peas and simmer for 5.1 utes, Remove the mint and purée the vegetables in a food mill to get rid of the indigestible husks from the peas. Apart from being a well-suited favoring for peas and beans, mint is a well known carminative, A. weak infusion of mint leaves can help to relieve painful gas and colic for your baby: MAKES 4 PORTIONS Peach. Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Cut a shallow cross on the skin of 2 peaches, submenge them in the water for 1 minute, then plunge into cold water. Skin and chop the peaches, discarding the pits. Hither purée the peaches uncooked or steam first for a few minutes until tender, MAKES 1 PORTIONS Creamy Carrot and Cauliflower Purée Combining vegetables with baby rice and milk gives them a creamy taste. This combination makes a nice change. Cook '/2 cup carrots, seraped and sliced, with '/2 cup liflower florets in boiling wate ) minutes until soft. Drain and purée with I tablespoon of the cooking liquid. Mix together 1 tablespoon baby rice with 2 table- spoons milk and stir into the purée. MAKES 6 PORTIONS Cantaloupe Melon Cantaloupes are so sweet, fragrant, and plentifil, it is almost a bonus that they are rich in Vitamins A and C, Cut in half, remove the seeds, and scoop out the flesh. Steam for 3.5 minutes, then purée. Other varieties of sweet melon, so long as they are ripe, can be used, (00. ‘To be genuinely sweet the melon needs to ripen on the vine. A truly ripe melon smells very fragrant; the stem end is slightly sunken and calloused, and yields to the touch, When your baby is over six months, properly ripe melon may be eaten raw: MAKES 12-16 PORTIONSFOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING Plum Pui Skin 2 large ripe plums as for peaches. Cut into pieces and bring to a boil in just enough water to cover. Simmer for about 5 minutes or until soft; add a Title sugar to taste if the fruit is a Title sour (Alternately, steam them for about 6 minutes.) Puré of the cooking liquid as is neces sary to make the desired consiste ©. Plums may be eaten raw once your baby is over six months. MAKES 4 PORTIONS iding as much Apricots and Pears Fresh apricots have a very limited season but when they are available you should make this delicious combination of fruits. Apricots are rich in Vitamins A and C. Halve and pit 5 fresh ripe apricots. Peel, core, and slice 2 ripe pears. Steam the fruit until tender, about 6 8 minutes. When cool enough, skin the apricots. Parée the fruit togeth- cr in a mill or blender. MAKES 12 PORTIONS Dried Apricot, Peach, or Prune Many supermarkets sell a selection of ready-to-cat dried fruits. Dried apricots are particularly nutritious, being sich in beta-carotene and iron, Cover "/ cup of fruit with cold water, bring to a boil, and simmer until soft (about 10 min- utes). Drain, remove the pits, and pass through a mill to remove the skins. Add a liule of the cooking liquid to make a smooth purée. This is good combined with baby tice and milk. MAKES 4 PORTIONS Semolina with Apple and Raisins ‘ith milk smooth texture and makes won- derfial baby purées mixed with fruit Semolina as avery for natural swe spoon semolina in a saucepan and stir in % cup milk over a gentle heat, add 6 raisins and a pinch of cinnamon, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Put this mixture through a mill and stir in 1 table- spoon apple purée, MAKES 2 PORTIONS mess. Put 1 table-Fresh Peas Cover 1 cup shelled peas with water, bring to a boil, and simmer covered, until tender (about 10 min= utes). Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Put the peas through a mill or a strainer and add a little cooking liquid to make the purée the desired consistency. Combine with mashed potato or baby milk, MAKES 4 PORTIONS Tomatoes Plunge 2. medium tomato boiling water for 30 second. ‘Trans- fer to cold water, skin and remove the seeds, Cook the flesh in a heavy bottomed saucepan, mashing over a low heat for about 2 minutes, Put Girough a mill or strainer to purée. Combine with baby rice or potato. MAKES 2-3 PORTIONS, Spin cups chopped spinach washed very carefully and coarse stalks removed, Cover with boiling water and simmer, covered, until tender (about 10 minutes). Firmly press out all the excess cooking water and put the cooked spinach leaves through a mill to purée. Combine with potato. MAKES 2 PORTIONS LTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Wash the celery carefully, trim, and remove as many strings as possible. Cut into small pieces to mal almost 1 cup, cover with boiling water, and simmer until tender (about 15 minutes). Drain and put the celery through a mill 1o purée to a smooth consistency. Comb with potato and carrot. Shredded cabbage can be cooked similarly, but cook for about 10 minutes only. MAKES 4 PORTIONS Red Bell Pepper Wash a medium bell pepper, Roast under a broiler, quartered, or whole over an open flame until the skin is charred all over: Place in a plastic bag and let cool, Core and seed, peel off the blistered skin, and put through a mill. Good with cauliflower or potato. MAKES 2 3 PORTIONS Avocado Choose a well-ripened avocado, cut it in half and scoop out the pit. Use bs of the avocado and mash the flesh with a fork, maybe adding a lit- le milk, Serve quickly, otherwise it will turn brown, Do not freeze avocados. MAKES | PORTIONFOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING Kiwi and Banana Kiwi fruit are very good for your baby as they have more Vitamin C than an orange! Make sure you choose a very ripe fruit, otherwi be very sour, MAKES 1 PORTION Ys ripe kiwi, peeled Vi ripe banana, peeled Ps the kiwi and press through a fine strainer to get rid of the black seeds, Mash or purée the banana and mix it with the kiwi, Rat straightaway or the banana turns brown, ela Apple and Banana with Apple Juice ‘This makes a nice change from plain, mashed banana or apple purée, When your baby is six months or older, you can make this with ravy, grated apple and mashed banana, MAKES | PORTION 1% apple, peeled, cored, and chopped 1 teaspoon apple juice banana, peeled ad chopped {G icozs heap: onion bt i) aa ash it together with the banana and apple juice. Serve as soon as possible,VHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Peaches, Apples, and Pears ‘This is a good purée to make when peaches are in season, When they are not, it tastes good just with apples and pears. MAKES 14 PORTIONS 2 dessert apples, pete, ead, 2 ripe peaches, skinned and chopped and chopped 2 rie pears, peeled, cored, Vo-inch vanilla bean (optional) ‘and chopped Pp" the apple pieces in a saucepan with 2 tablespoons water and the vanilla bean (if using). Simmer, covered, for about 8 minutes. Add the peaches and pears and Cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove the bean and purée. (é Mixed Dried Fruit Compote Dried fruits and fiesh fiuits are delicious combined. Later on with a little plain yogurt or cottage cheese. MAKES 18 PORTIONS. Ys cup each of dried apricots, dried dessert apple and 1 peau, peeled, cored, peaches, and prunes cand chopped, or 1 apple and 3 fresh apricots, skinned, pitted, and chopped Prt the died ui imo a saucepan, cover vith plemy of boiling wate, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the apple and pear or apricots to the saucepan. Continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, adding more ry: Purée in a mill SleeFOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING Vegetable Broth Ie broth forms the basis of many vegetable recipes. It is well worth making your own supply which will be free from additives and salt, However, many supermarkets now sell unsalted vegetable broth. MAKES ABOUT 4 CUPS, 1 onion, peeled 2 tablespoons butter 1 carrot, scrubbed 1 bouguet garni (bought or home-made) 1 celery stalk 1 sprig of fresh parsley 11% eups mixed root vegetables T bay leaf (rutabaga, turnip. parsnip, etc). peeled 6 black peppercorns hop all the vegetables. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and sa the onion for 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and cove with 3°/; cups water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about | hour. Strain off and discard the vegetables and use the flavored water as broth. sl T#) Zucchini and Banana Purée ‘This may scem a strange combination but they complement c other well, MAKES 2 PORTIONS J small zucchini, zoashed, trimmed, and Y¥> small banana, peeled and sliced sliced See the zucchini slices for 8 minutes and purée in a food mill with the banana, eal‘THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Baby Cereal and Vegetables Sometimes vegetable purées can be very watery ~ particularly those made from, say, zucchini which have a high water content. In this recipe Thave added baby vice which makes an excellent thickening agent MAKES 15 PORTIONS. 2 tablespoons chopped onion 2 cups sliced “ueckini Yo cup cubed ratabaga 2 medion carrots, peeled and sliced Ya cup shredded green cabbage + eup frozen peas vegetable broth (se page 33) tablespoons baby rice Pp all the vegetables, exeept the frozen peas, in a saucepan and just cover them with broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender, About 5 minutes before the end, add the peas, Stir in the baby rice and cook over a gentle heat for the vegetables in a blender to the desired consistency, Cel) Sweet Vegetable Medley frozen, 2 minutes. Purce Root vegetables, such as rutabaga and carrot, make delicious and nutritious purées for young babies, Pumpkin can also be used! to make is purée as itis very popular with babies. MAKES 10 PORTIONS F exp diced carrot Ys L cup diced rutabaga 1 exp diced potato or prumpkin cup diced butternut squash 1/1 cups reater or milk (y0u can use cow's milk in cooking from 6 months)FOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING -gctables in a pan with the water or milk. Bring to a boil, then ‘over and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and purée the ve; ina blender, with sufficient cooking liquid to make the desire tency. oe BI Watercress, Potato, and Zucchini Purée Watercress is rich in calcium and iron, It blends well with the other vegetables to make a tasty, bright green purée. You can add a little milk if your baby prefers it that way. MAKES 12 PORTIONS. a bunch of watercress 2 teaspoons chopped parsley 1 large potato, peeled and chopped J medium zucchini, washed, trimmed, 1s cups vegetable broth (se page 33) cand sliced baby milk (optional) Rae from the watercress and chop them into pieces. (Discard the stalks, or usc them in making vegetable broth.) Put the leaves and the potato into the broth, bring to a boil, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the parsley and zucchini and simmer for another 10 minutes. Parée the mixture ina mill and, if you like, add a little baby milk to adjust the consistency. (ol jes] |‘THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Avocado and Papaya ‘This is very simple to make and the wo fruits blend very well, MAKES | PORTION J slice avocado 1 slice papaya R move the flesh from the avocado and papaya and mash them m cogether until smooth, This should be eaten soon alicr itis made or the avocaclo will turn brown. IS] Sweet Potato with Cinnamon ‘The addition of cinnamon gives the sweet potato an extra sweetness which babies love. This is very simple to make. MAKES 7 PORTIONS J siveet potato (about 6 02), peeled and «good pinch of rcedered cinnamon cut into cluanks aa fees tablespoons baby milk over the sweet potato chunks with water, bring to a boil, and simmer for about 30 minutes or until sofi, Drain and mash together with the cinnamon and enough baby milk to make the desired consistency. LeFOUR 'TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING Carrot, Potato, and Celery Purée Adding baby milk to vegetables can make them more palatable for your baby MAKES 1 PORTIONS 1 small potato, peeled and cu into pieces a eup carrot, washed, serubbed, and ¥; cup baby milk chopped into pieces Ya cup celery, washed, trimmed, and chopped into pieces the vegetables in a saucepan and cover with | cup water. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add the milk and make into a smooth purée in a blender. a eal i] Butternut Squash and Pear cd to babies after five months. Itis Butternut squash ean be introdk and is a good source of Vitamin A. casily digested, rarely causes aller Babies like the naturally sweet flavor which combines well with fruit MAKES 4 PORTIONS T medium butternut squash or pumpkin 1 ripe, juicy pear <, seoop out the seeds, peo squash, cut in half lengthwi and chop into pieces. Steam for about 12 minutes. Peel, core, and chop the pear, add to the steamer, and continue to cook for 5 minutes or until the squash is tender. Purée in a blender eL_L 18}THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER FOUR TO FIVE MONTH MEAL PLANNER Breakfast Sleep Basel Brean Tay ie Tas Bay iesa/bonle Ae bul spp vue Laneh Brats Sleep Dinner ase resort Tres ste ieee Treasi/be Base Tes Tica Tasted ralpaee Di a ar ie ite Dil er Rasa Taso po ein ol Tc hone Died rue Reta Trew Tl re ie Taea/bne tae Breanne Bese reas bone Bical Brew oate Dik tj Pate Dial te Paate i jure shoul be liu a east 50/30, er subaielcomplees; with cooled, boiled wateFOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING FOUR TO FIVE MONTH MEAL PLANNER: aT a Week Breakfast ep Lunch Sleep* Dinner Bediime Brewi/eate | Rrean/tae — | Beadle — | Baraat — | Diogenes | rare ‘Slated eal ex ana | Sweet Vegetable Meaiey Hasna | Thvl/inite | Heeaaytonte | Breawale | Died it ace | resto Naked ‘rhea en i Sweet Vegetable Medley Pe Brcawstmate — | afte — | Brewstoite — | Dita eur | Brea Cream of Butternut Fruit’ Squash and Pear Beeasbunte | Resrtoile — | te/bote | Brca/tate | One rt juce | Brcabotte Cram of Buererane = Squash and Pear Breau/tmatke — | Bre/tae | Breaazboule | Beste Pitted ue nan orate, Ztcehint ner ‘sed Broceol Teas/benle | Bci/lnule | reas/borte | Braw tale | Dia fait ice | ress /hale Potato Zacchini ‘and Broccolt Heal Taube — | Bebe — | Due itive | Brembo fee Creaeny Carrot aby re and Cauliflower Parce Fh ues he die tls 90740, or sabe completes with cole, Ile water 1h edi optional i ” one‘THE HEALTHY BABY ME. 1, PLANNER FOUR TO FIVE MONTH MEAL PLANNER Breakfast Sleep Tanch Sleep* Dinner ean Gene be Beco teat Cream of Fait Teas one Tiere Breall cabal Thee Ft par Tene These rule Soe Bresa/beae reast/be Disa nate reste Braue Tren Cream of ‘Carrot Grea of Carrer Dias ne ‘Potato Zucchini. snd Beoesoll Died it jue Potato Zucchini, eomeca Died juice Pacatoes and eg eatte Histo Mint Apple and Cinnamon renal Bicws/boatle Tae ue ine of Mine Apple and Cinnamon rare Tire Taewste Fst jue she ite tas 550, or subtinte completes with cooled, Wied wateFOUR TO SIX MONTHS AND WEANING FOUR TO FIVE MONTH MEAL PLANNER Breakfast { Sleep Laweh Sleep Dinner Bedtime este Baty cial Fn puree ane ik Babee Greamy Carrot sand Cantifowey Parse Dita jn Breet Masta Teething Wott i wut Pecsa/borle Sematit with ‘pple and ‘Rett Neca Dit i je Tessie | Mixed Deed erie Fruit Compote ease Base faeces! Peach epee Sweet Ptate sath Gamal icaw/tnnle | Cream of Fai Watered us ecw /bse Dein ape onl pra pe Basosbonle Baty cereal Pans Frau /tnae Ty ell Apple and Ghmmsmee Bresboale ews /batte Rreas/bntle Baby Cereal sad Vegetables Diet ae Met on Dis oe Potato, Zucchini nd Bence Dik a oe Taewi/ae Papa tevin be Watrflted u ecwteate | Avocado and Papaya ee Were Biaa/tuit | Thece-Fraie Parte “Teething ie Wator/ee Tene rens/bowle aoe Mixed Dried rat Compote tan Watercress, ovata wad Zuechind Parte nit vie sl he ee lest 50/30, or saat romp eset Mashed Rie cake Woe with ck, bed ser This fees psional BrestTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER CHAPTER THREE SIX TO NINE MONTHS etween six and nine months is a rapid development period for your baby A six-month-old baby still needs to be supported while you are feeding him and, more often than not, still has no teeth, A nine-month-old baby. is usually strong hough to sit in a high chair while he is being fed has already cut a few teeth, Babies of eight months are usually quite good at holding food themselves and enjoy eating small finger foods such as pieces of rave. or cooked vegetables, pasta, or raw fruits. (Turn to pages 75.78 for suitable finger foods for young babies.) Chewing on a piece of apple will help to relieve sore gums, but never leave your baby unattended when eating; babies have a habit of chewing up a lot of food and storing it in their mouths without swallowing and they can very casily choke. A useful tip is to give your baby some dried applet suck. Tt is easy for him to hold because of the hole in the middle; it is tough te. chew on so he cannot bite pieces off; and it has a lovely sweet taste. You can secure it to the high chair with a short length of string. If your baby drops it, it can be retrieved by pulling the string.SIX TO NINE MONTHS LESS MILK, MORE APPETITE Once your baby is six months old, you can start cutting down on his milk feeds so that he is more hungry for his solids, However he should still be taking about 20 fl oz of milk per day, either as milk or in the dairy products he eats. You can offer plain water or fruit juices instead of milk to drink (cight or nine months, whe baby able to hold toys fairly well himself, he is probably ready to try drinking from a cup. First try a cup with a spout, then remove the top and sce how he manages with it open. A cup with a weighted base is ideal as it cannot topple over and spill when your bat puts it down, Lids that seal are good for traveling, Let your baby's appetite determine how much he eats and never force him to cat something he actually dislikes. Do not offer it for a while, but reintroduce ita few weeks later. You may find that second time around he loves it Remember that at this age it is normal for babies to be quite fat. AS soon as your baby starts crawling and walking, he will lose this excess weight. THE FOODS TO CHOOSE ‘Your baby can now eat protein foods like eggs, cheese, legumes, chicken, and fish. Limit any foods that might be indigestible, such as spinach, lentils, cheese, berries, Gitras fruits, and do not worry if somfe foods, like legumes, peas, and raisins, pass through your child undigested: until they are about two years old, babies cannot completely digest husked vegetables and the skins of fruits. OF course, peeling, mashing, and purécing fruit and vegetables will aid digestion. With foods like bread, flour, pasta, and rice, wry to choose whole- grain (rather than refined) as it is more nutritious Once your baby has passed the six- month stagggand is happily eating slightly coarser-texyited foods, there is no need 10 continue giving him special baby cereals You can use adult cereals, such as instant oatnical, Grahams, and Chex, which are just as nutritious and much cheaper Choose a cereal that is not highly refined and is low in sugar and salt. Many people use commercial baby foods because they are easy to prepare; they also think, due to the long list of vitamins and minerals on the box, that they are more nutritious, However, babies who eat a well-balanced dict of fresh foods get a perfectly adequate quantity of vitamins and minerals. Also, baby foods in general are heavily processed, and their finer texture and bland flavors hinder the development of your baby's tastes. Beware, too, of some of the teething its you can buy — supposedly the “ideal food for your baby.” They are full of sugar (often the amount is not even stated con the list of ingredients). Give your baby some toast to chew on or follow the recipe for teething biscuits in the nine to twelve month finger-Sood section (see page 76).THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Many of your own favorite recipes can be adapted for your baby once he is eight months old. When preparing a family dish, put aside the baby’s portion before you add seasoning or spices and he ¢ very often enjoy the same meal as eve one else. Many of the recipes fiom the previous age group's section can still be used — simply alter the texture slightly if appropriate and offer more, You can now safely cook with cow’s milk, although this is not suitable for milk feeds (formula or breast is better) Fruit There are few babies I know who do not Tike eating fruit. In the next few months, try to introduce your child to as wide a range of finits as possible. Make fresh fruit salads with seasonal fruits chopped to little pieces and mixed with some fruit juice. You will soon discover which fruits your child likes best by seeing which ones he leave: Dried fruits and some exotic fruits, such as mango, can give your child an upset stomach, Limit these or you may run out of diapers! Citrus and berry fruits should not be given in any quantity tw babies under one year of age. Fresh fruits make excellent snacks for “babies and young children — much better than any processed, additive-laden, sug- ary foods which can not only ruin a child’s developing tecth but also. upset a anced, healthy diet. Tegetables Once your baby starts to get teeth, you will find that he enjoys chewing on sligl ly harder vegetables. Cut down the steam ing time to preserve Vitamin C and ke them crisp. Cauliflower and broccoli florets. baby carrots, and. baby corncobs, foe instance, make excellent finger foods. Give them to your baby with his favorite vegetable purée as a dip. Remember that some vegetables, suck as new potatoes and zucchini, should now be peeled to preserve nutrients in the skis Combinations of fruit and vegetables are popular — try squash and apple; spinack and pear; or devise your own. Fisk Many children grow up disliking fish. which is a great shame as it is such a healthful food, full of protein, and very low in fat. Its excellent for babies, easy te chew and digest, and quick to cook.SIX-TO NINE MONTH I think one of the main reasons why children are put off by fish is that they find it bland and boring, Counteract this with stronger tastes, such as cheese or herbs. If your child gets excited at the prospect of fish for supper, then you deserve to be a very proud mom indeed. Most pediatricians advise against fish before six months. Start with white fish only and give oily fish after 10-12 months, Be carefill not to overcook fish, as it becomes tough and tasteless. It is cooked when the fish just flakes with a fork but is still firm. Always check very carefully for bones before serving fish. Chicken Chicken is the first meat that should be introduced to babies. Chicken is a great family favorite of ours; itis very versatile and [am always concocting new ways of serving it, Twas keen to get my children to like chicken from an early age so T could cook for the whole family Thave found that babies like the mild flavor of chicken. It is easy and quick to cook; a great help to busy mothers. Chick- en blends very well with many vegetables and can have a smooth texture when puréed, Once your baby is able to handle food himself” and has a few tecth, small pieces of chicken make excellent finger food and are softer and easier to chew than red meat chunks. However, red meat can be introduced from the age of six months (sce page 74). Home-made chicken broth forms the basis of many recipes and T recommend that you make it in large batches. Freeze in small containers or ice-cube trays. Pasta ‘You will find that pasta is a great favorite with babies and mothers as it is casy to chew, fan © eat, and simple to cook. For babies around six months, there are very tiny pasta shapes available which are sometimes used in soups and necd no chewing, or you could chop up spaghetti. Many of the vegetable purées make exce lent pasta sauces, and you cam always add a little grated cheese. You should serve about “4 cup cooked ('/a-'/1 cup dry) smaill pasta shapes per portion. TEXTURES, For babies between six and cight months, the recipes should be puréed to a fairly smooth consistency. Thereafter the mixture can be coarser, with the foods mashed, minced, or grated, or make a gradual tran- sition by adding grated food to a puré Remember that foods must be soft enough for your baby’s toothless gums to chew. QUANTITIES he portions quoted for each recipe are 2 fl oz {about two ice-cube-sized portions, However, portion sizes will vary according to your baby’s appetite. Thaw four frozen food-cubes: wo vegetable ones for a “main course” and two fruit ones for “dessert.”THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER FRUIT Going Bananas ms and this recipe is scrumptious. You can also make this Jamaican-style and flambé the bananas with rum forg dinner Itis delicious served with vanilla ice ere party, MAKES 1 PORTION J teaspoon butter @ pinch of powdered cinnamon 4 small banana, peeled and sliced 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice M: {he butter in a small skillet. Stir in the sliced banana, sprinkle with a little cimmamon and sauté for 2 minutes. Pour in the orange Juice and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Mash with a fork ea Avocado, Banana, and Yogurt Mashed banana and avocado make a good no-cook baby purée, Serve ‘with or without yogurt and eat straightaway before it arms bron MAKES 1 PORTION 2 slices avocado, 1 tablespoon plain fa fal yogurt Yo small banana, peeled Sev the flesh of the avocado from the skin and mash it together with the rest of the ingredients SaySIX TO NINE MONTHS Apple and Baby Cereal ‘Try using different fruits, such as peaches, mangos, and phims, and. combinations like apple and raisin, or peach and cranberry. MAKES 4 PORTIONS 1 dessert apple, peeled, cored, and cut 2 tablespoons milk into small pieces 2 teaspoons baby rice cenp natural apple juice 2 teaspoons plain yogurt Co ere in eis ith the apple juice until soft (about 10 minutes). Purée the cooked apple in a blender, Warm the milk, stir in the baby rice, and mix with the apple purée and yogurt. 6LieLa) Peaches and Rice Flaked rice is quick and casy cooked rice with other fru MAKES 2 PORTIONS 1 tablespoon flaked brovwn rice 4 cup milk 1 ripe peach, skinned, pte, and chopped the rice and milk in a small pan. Stir over a low heat for about 5 minutes or until it boils and thickens. Simmer for 5 minutes,THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL, PLANNER Apricot, Apple, and Peach Purée Dried apricots are a concentrated form of nutrients, ‘They are rich in iron, potassium, and betacarotene, and babies tend to like their sweet flavor MAKES 5 PORTIONS A+ cup ready-to-eat dried apricots 1 large, ripe peach, skinned, pitted, and 2 dessert apple, peeled, cored, and chopped, or 1 ripe pear peeled, cored, chopped and chopped pe the apricots into a small saucepan and cover with water. Cook over a gentle heat lor 5 minutes. Add the chopped apples and continue to cook for 5 minutes. Parée together with the peach or pear. LEE Cottage Cheese and Sharon Fruit Sharon fruit is a variety of persimmon from Isracl, It must be very ripe and soli before it is eaten, and tastes a litle like a sweet plum, The second portion will keep in the refrigerator for the next day MAKES 2 PORTIONS 1 Sharon fruit, or 2 slices of mango 2 tablespoons plain cottage cheese or papava Ce the Sharon fruit in half and remove the skin, Blend the esh together with the cottage cheese until smooth.SIX TO NINE MONTHS Home-Made Fruit Gelatin tis very easy to make fruit gelatin at home, and it is not full of sugar or artificial colorings like some of the commercially prepared fruit gelatins. Af you are short of time or don’t have fresh fruit purées or juices to hand, flavored gelatin can be used for any of these recipes. Gelatin, of course, does not freeze but any extras have never been a problem in my house! MAKES 12 PORTIONS, I envelope of powdered gelatin 2 caps fresh frit juice or fruit purée Gio the gelatin over ' cup very hot fruit juice (or water if using fruit purée) in a cup. If necessary, stand the cup in a pan of hot water until the gelatin dissolves, Pour into the remaining fruit juice or purée, stirring thoroughly. Pour into a suitable container, cool, then chill until set. If adding fresh fruit, do not use kiwi, papaya, or pineapple, as they contain an enzyme that prevents the gelatin from setting, Fruit Gelatin Shapes Add less water to the gelatin so it sets firmer, then set in an 8-inch square pan, lined with foil. ‘Turn the pan over, remove the foil and make shapes rom the gelatin using cookie cutters. Fruit and Yogurt Gelatin Make up '/ quantity fruit-flavored gelatin and chill for 30 minutes, then stir in a complementary flavored fruit yogurt Chill until set. This gelatin will not set firm and is not. suitable for a mold. Stop Light Gelatin Make up a 1% quantity of gelatin using a red colored fruit juice or purée, Pour into a large fluted gelatin mold. (A wet mold makes it easier to turn the gelatincout.) Chill lor 1'/2 hours. Repeat with an orange-colored juice or purée and pour on top. Chill again and then of a green gelatin. Chill until set. Dip into hot water, cover and turn over to unmold. Or make in individual glassesTILE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER VEGETABLES Lovely Lentils Lentils are a good cheap source of protein. They also provide iron which is very important for brain development, particularly between the ages of ix months and two years. Lentils ean be difficult for young babies to digest and should be combined with plenty of fresh vegetables as in this recipe. To make it into a delicious soup for all the family, just add more broth and some seasoning to taste MAKES 8 PORTIONS Ya small onion, finely chopped Ya eup split red lentils T eup diced carmot 1 cup diced potato 4s cup chopped celery 1% cups vegetable or chicken broth T tablespoon margarine or ofl (see page 33 or 62) oF water Sze the onion, carrot, and celery in the margarine or oil for about 10 minutes, or until softened. Add the lentils and potato and pour over the broth or water, Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmez covered, for 25-30 minutes. Purée ina blender. eeSIX TO NINE MONTHS Trio of Vegetables with Ricotta This is a tasty vegetable purée which can also be made with cream or cheese. Combine avocado with ricotta and fresh herbs for another quick and easy recipe MAKES 6 PORTIONS Ye cup each broccoli and cauliflower 12 cups sliced zucchini florets, washed 5 tablespoons ricotta cheese team the vegetables until tender, about 8 10 minutes, Make into a together with the ricotta. LF) Baked Sweet Potato with Orange Sweet potatoes are delicious baked either in the oven or microwave and then combined with fruit, such as apple or peach purée. They are a good source of carbohydrate, Vitamins, and minerals. MAKES 8 PORTIONS 1 medium seveet potato, scrubbed 2 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons fiesh orange juice pes the oven to 40°F, Cook the sweet potato on a cookie sheet for about | hour or until tender, Let cool a little before scooping the Sweet potato flesh out of the skin. Purée or mash with the orange juice and milk until smooth, [omemt|Spe ial Spinach and Potato Purée Spinach has a strong taste so its best to combine it with potato or sweet Potato. IF using frozen spinach, use only half the quantity MAKES 14 PORTIONS Ye small onion, peeled and finely chopped 1 cup chicken broth (see page 62) 1s tablespoons butter 3 cups fresh spinach, washed, chopped, 1 large potato, peeled and diced, or ‘aud tough stalks removed 1+ cups peeled, diced potato Sue the onion in the butter until soft. Add the potato and broth. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 12 minutes. Add the spinach Cook, covered, for 3 minutes. Purée in a blender or mash for older babies _) Oatmeal and Vegetable Purée Rutabaga is popular with young babies because of its sweet taste. Oatmeal adds bulk to the vegetable purée, making it a satisfying meal. MAKES 16 PORTIONS Yo celery stall, finely sliced 2 carrots, trimmed and sliced 2 cups diced ratabaga 3 tablespoons regular oatmeal 1 leek, white part only, washed and thinky sliced Pp all the vegetables into a heavy saucepan, add the oatmeal, and just over with water: Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Purée in a blender 6 BI)SIX TO NINE MONTHS Trio of Cauliflower, Red Bell Pepper, and Corn Babies like the bright colors and natural sweetness of these vegetables. ‘Always purée corn in a mill for young babies to get rid of the tough outer skin. MAKES + PORTIONS: 1 cup cauliflower florets Yo eup chopped red bell pepper Ys cup milk: Vs cup corn kernels jut the cauliflower in a sauccpan with the milk and cook over a low heat for about 8 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, steam the red bell pepper and corn or cook in water in a saucepan for about 6 minutes until tender. Drain the corn and pepper: Purée together with the cauliflower and milk in a food mill, eLe “py ~THE HEAL Cauliflower Cheese ‘This is a great favorite with babies, Try using different cheeses or combinations of cheese until you find your baby’s favorite taste, The cheese sauce can be used over a mixture of vegetables as well MAKES 5 PORTIONS 1/5 cups cauliflower florets he T tablespoon margarine 1 tablespoon cornstarch a cup milk Ys cup grated Cheddar, Edam, or ‘Stwiss cheese ‘ash the cauliflower florets carefully and steam until tender (about 10 minutes). Meanwhile, for the sauce, melt the margarine over @ gentle heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and stir in the cornstarch te make a smooth paste. Add the milk and stir until thickened. Take the sancepan olf the heat and stir in the grated cheese. Keep stirring until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the cauliflower to the sauce and purée in a blender for younger babies. For older babies, mash with a fork or chop into litde pieces.SIX TO NINE MONTHS Zucchini Gratin ‘This creamy purée is also good using green beans or broccoli MAKES 6 PORTIONS: 1 aup diced potato Ve eup grated Stwiss cheese 1/2 cups sliced zucchini 4 tablespoons milk J teaspoon butter Bo the potato until sofi. Steam the zucchini for 8 minutes. Drain the potato, add the butter and cheese, and stir until melted. Purée the potato mixture, zucchini, and milk with an electric hand blender. Lie Leek and Potato Purée with Ricotta "This was Lara’s favorite vegetable purée. It also makes a superb vegetable soup for adults. MAKES 8 PORTIONS, 2 tablespoons margarine or oil 2 cups diced potato 1/5 caps leeks, carefully washed and 2 cups chicken broth (see page 62) sliced 2 tablespoons ricotta ae the margarine or oil in a heavy-based pan, Add the lecks and cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally Add the diced potato and broth and simmer, covered, for 95-30 minutes until tender, Purée and stir in the ricotta. Le)HY BARY ME) |. PLANNER. Zucchini and Pea Soup When I experimented with this combination, the baby purée turned out to be so good that I also made a delicious soup for the rest of the familly Simply increase the quantities and add extra broth and seasoning, MAKES 4 PORTIONS, Ys onion, peeled and finely chopped 1°/s cups diced potato 1 tablespoon butter o margarine Ys eup chicken broth (se page 62) Ys cup zucchini, washed, trimmed, and 1 cup frozen peas thinly sliced S wuté the onion in the butter oF margarine until softened. Add the ncchini, potato, and broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer gently for 12 minutes, Add the frozen peas, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and continue to cook for 5 minut na blender. 1 Is 8)SIX TO NINE MONTHS Minestrone ‘This is a very versatile recipe, as you ean add rice, pasta, or almost any vegetable. I find the flavor is best if you use chicken broth. For older children and adults, [ like to add 2 teaspoons of tomato paste: MAKES 7 ADULT PORTIONS OR 20 BABY PORTIONS L tablespoon margarine or oil 5 caups water, or chicken or vegetable Ye small onion, peeled and chopped broth (see pages 62 and 33) J carrot, pected and chopped T cup diced potato Yo eelery stalk, chopped 5 tablespoons peas, fresh or frozen Yo leek, white part only, washed and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley chopped 4s eup small pasta shapes (optional) Ys exp shredded cabbage eat the margarine or oil in a saucepan and fry the onion for I minute, then add the carrot, celery, and leek, Sauté for 2 minutes, then add the cabbage and continue to cook for another + minutes. Cover with the water or broth. Add the potato, peas, and chopped parsley and cook over a gentle heat for 20-25 minutes until the vegetables are soft and easy for your baby to chew (lor younger babies, you can mash or purée the vegetables). IF you want pasta in the soup, or if you are using frozen peas, add these 10 minutes prior to the end of cooking. esTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER FISH Fish with Fennel The aniseed taste of fennel blends well with fish — see how your baby Tikes this new taste, MAKES 7 PORTIONS Yo cup chopped Florence fennel 1 tablespoon minced onion Ys eup chopped potato Ys bay leaf Vecup chicken broth a little margarine 40 white fish, skinned milk Pp the ferme! and potato in a saucepan and add the broth, Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are soli. Meanwhile, put the fish inargaring PROOF dish, and add the onion and bay leat Dot wih peeked and Bout ever enough milk to cover. Gook in an oven preheated to 350°F for 's (Alternately, cook in the microwave on Tigh for about 3 minutes.) Flake the fish, making sure there are no bones, and blend it with the vegetables and enough broth to make a smooth purée, SLEC Te)SIX TO NINE MONTHS Flounder in Cheese Sauce Fish and cheese sauce go really well together, and the combination is always popular, Add some chives and you give an old recipe a new laste MAKES 6 PORTIONS. 6 os, flounder, flleted and skinned Cheese Sauce 3 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons butter 1 bay leaf V1 cup all-rrpose flour a little butter %Yaeup milk Ys cup grated Cheddar cheese I teaspoon snipped chives or chopped puasley jut the flounder fillets in a suitable dish with the milk and bay leaf’ and dot with butter, Cover and microwave on High for about 4 minutes. Alternately, poach the fish in milk in a saucepan until cooked. “To prepare the sauce, melt the butter and stir in the flows, Cook for | minute, then gradually whisk in the milk, cooking over a gentle heat until you have a smooth white sauce. Bring to a boil and simmer for | minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Add the snipped chives or parsley. Flake the fish with a fork and make sure there are no stray bones. Add the fish to the cheese sauce and put it through the food mill, or mash, or purée in a blender, ealTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Flounder with Spinach and Cheese Frozen vegetables are a good alternative to fresh, and can often be more jous than ones that have been kept in the kitchen for several days. MAKES 8 PORTIONS 4 02 flounder, flleted and skinmed Cheese Sauce L tablespoon milk 2 tablespoons butter 1 bay leaf 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour a fea peppercorns Ya cup milk aa lttle butter Ys eup grated Swiss cheese J cup shredded spinach, or 3-02 frozen ‘Pies the tonnes in a mihie dah wit ihel Say eal perpeccieny nd butter. Microwave for about 3 minutes on High, or poach in a saucepan for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the spinach in a saucepan with just a little water for about 3 minutes, or cook frozen spinach according to the box directions, Squeeze out the excess water. Make the cheese sauce (see page 59). Discard the bay leaf and peppercorns, flake the fish carefully, and purée with the spinach and cheese sauce | je] 1) Fillet of Cod with Sweet Potato The orange-fleshed sweet potato is an excellent source of betacarote which may help to prevent certain types of cancer. Babies tend to love the taste of sweet potato, so this recipe makes a good introduction to fish. MAKES & PORTIONS 8 oz sweet potato, peeled a litle butter 3 0c cod, filleted and skinned juice of 1 orange (about 1 cup) 2 tablespoons milkSIX TY NINE MONTHS Pires mere swith water, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes until sofi. Put the fish in a suitable dish, add the milk, dot with butter, cover and microwave on High for 2 minutes until the fish is cooked. Alternately, poach in a saucepan with the milk and butter for 6-7 minutes. Put the cooked sweet potato, drained fish, and orange juice into a blender and purée until smooth ee Creamy Fish with Cheese and Cornflakes “The creamy pasta sauce on page 68 is used for this recipe and makes a good base for many different sauces. MAKES 7 PORTIONS 4 oz whitefish, flleled and skinned Va cup grated Cheddar cheese milk Yeeup crushed cornflakes Vi eup Creamy Pasta Sauce (ce page 68) jut the fish in an ovenproof dish ‘with just cnough milk to cover. 3 Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, or cook in the microwave on High for about 3 minutes. Drain off the cooking liquid. Pour the pasta sauce over the fish and sprinkle with the cheese and cornflakes. Return to the oven for about 8 minutes. Purée in a blender. Lal alTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL, PLANNER CHICKEN Chicken Broth and My First Chicken Purée Recipes taste much better if’ you use home-made chicken broth, T make in large batches, divide it among small containers, keep it in the freezer and use it as a base for soups and chicken and vegetable purces. For babies ovex one year, you can add 2 chicken bouillon cubes to the recipe for a stronger flavor, MAKES APPROXIMATELY 4 PINTS 7 large boiling fet, plus giblets large onions J small turnip T celery stalk: B carrots 3 sprigs of parsley 2 leeks C ut the chicken into 8 pices, trimming any excess fat, im, peel, and wash the vegetables as necessary. Put the chicken pieces into a large saucepan together with the giblets, Cover with 4 pints water, bring to a boil, and skim the froth from the top. Add the vegetables and parsley and simmer for about 3 hours, I is best to remove the chicken breasts after about 1/2 hours if you are going to cat them; otherwise they will become too dry. L ator overnight and remove any congealed fat from the top in the morning, Strain the chicken and vegetables to make the chicken broth, You can purée some of the chicken breast in a mill together with a selection of the vegetables and some broth to make a chicken and vegetable purée for your baby, or purée the vegetables and broth for a soup for adults!SIX TO NINE MONTHS Chicken with Cottage Cheese c are a little too young to eat pieces of chicken as finger ccipes show you simple ways of transforming cold chicken into tasty food for your baby. MAKES 2 PORTIONS Ys eup cooked boneless chicken, chopped 1//s tablespoons cottage cheese with tablespoon plain yogurt pineapple ix together the chicken, yogurt, and cottage chee: mill t make a smooth purée. ae . Put through a Chicken with Rice and Beans MAKES 5 PORTIONS Yeap green beans 3 tablespoons apple juice YY» eup brown rice Ve cup cooked boneless chicken, chopped team the beans until tender and cook the rice in water for about 20 minutes until tender, Mix all the ingredients together and blend in a food processor. Put through a food mill to make a smooth purée. (You can add more apple juice if it is too thick.) al |]THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER White Chicken Purée MAKES 4 PORTIONS T medium potato, peeled Yup cooked boneless chicken, Ys eup cauliflower florets chopped 2 tablespoons milk BPsilite potato wait sof. Steam the eaulitower above the potato ‘the last 10 minutes. Mash the potato and cauliflower with milk, then add the chicken. Make into a purée in the blender. (If thick, add a little extra milk.) SLial_1#| Chicken Salad Purée What could be simpler? For toddlers, chop the ingredients and mix w a little mayonnaise. MAKES + PORTIONS 4, cup cooked boneless chicken, chopped 1 chunk of cucumber 4 seedless grapes, skinned 2 tablespoons plain yogurt or collage cheese 1 teaspoon chopped chives 2 az avdeado, peeled and chopped ‘Petar in a ener and purée to the desired consis- tency Serve immediately em) 64SIX TO NI Chicken in Tomato Sauce MAKES 12 PORTIONS Ya eup chopped onion 1 carro, thindy sliced 1s tablespoons oil 1 skinned chicken breast, cubed 1 cup diced potato 1/s cups canned chopped tomatoes S auté the onion and carrot in the oil until softened. Add the chicken Jand potato and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes with three- quarters of the juice. Bring to a boil, then cook over a gentle heat for about 30 minutes ot until the potato is sofi, Purée in a food mill or, for babies of nine months and older, chop in a blender. Add a Tittle milk for a smoother texture, if wished. Gel Easy One-Pot Chicken This is an ideal purée for introducing young babies to chicken, MAKES 12 PORTIONS Ye small onion, finely chopped 1 carrot, trimmed and sliced T tablespoon buiter 2 eups diced saveet potato 4.0: chicken breast, skinned, boned, 1/0 eups chicken broth (see and cubed page 62) juté the onion in the butter until softened. Add the chicken and sauté for 3 4+ minutes, Add the vegetables, pour over the broth, bring to a boil, and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes through and the vegetables are tender. Purée in of intil the chicken is cooked blender.‘THE MEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Chicken with Grapes and Zucchini “The addition of grapes to this recipe gives the chicken a little sweemes which babies love. Itis very simple to make and is usually gobbled up: pretty quickly: MAKES 4 PORTIONS 1 single chicken breast or 2 thighs, & green grapes, skinned and seeds skinned and off the bone removed Ya cup home-made chicken broth 1 uchini, zoashed and sliced (ove page 62) T tablespoon baby rice tut the chicken into pieces. Put all the ingredients except the baby: rice into a small saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes. Purée (0 the desired consistency and thicken by stirring in the baby rice ee]SIX TO NINE MONTHS Mango Chicken Mango gives a lovely sweet taste to the chicken which babies love. MARES 6 PORTIONS 1 single chicken breast or 2 thighs, Ys onion, thinly sliced ‘on the bone, rimmed Vo ripe mango, peeled and sliced ‘margarine or oil, for fiving Ys eup chicken broth uté the chicken in margarine or oil for about 8 minutes until golden. Add the onion halfvay through. Put the chicken, onion, and mango in a saucepan with the broth. Simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken i cooked. ‘Take the chicken off the bone and chop or purée with the Le 1#) Chicken Liver Special cr is one of the best foods you can give your baby. Find a liver recipe that your baby enjoys, and make it again and again, MARES 5 PORTIONS 2 chicken licers, cleaned and trimmed tablespoon chopped rutabaga 2 teaspoons chopped carrot Vo eup chicken broth (see page 62) 2 teaspoons chopped white of leek I potato, preted jook the chicken livers together with the chopped vegetables in the broth for about 8 minutes over a low heat. Meanwhile, boil the potato until tendcr, Mash the potato. Purée the liver and vegetables together with the potato. ‘The chicken broth makes this into quite a creamy purée, SCECEITHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER PASTA Creamy Pasta Sauce Use this sauce plain, with grated eh IAKES 4 PORTIONS Linch celery, chopped Finch carmt, chopped a-small piece of onion Yobay leaf A the vegetables, bay leaf sauce} in and bring to a boil. Remov infuse for 30 minutes, Stra in the flour to make a paste, andl 10 a boil over a low heat, stirrin gradually ; to make Se; OF vegetable purée, OF saucE 4 feze peppercoms Yup milk 1 tablespoon buter or margarine 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour ; and peppercorns to the milk in a re from the heat and allow to the milk. Melt the butter or margarine, mix stir in the flavored mill Ik. Bring a thick white sauce 6Lis-] Sweet Green Pea Sauce MAKES 2 PORTIONS ( Ys cup fresh or fracen peas 2 tablespoon minced onion C neers Sauté the n the peas, liquid and onion in ook the peas i onion in the 1g | tablespoon mill and stir in 1 ee 78] 68 Ys cup water for DF SAUCE Ys tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon cream cheese 5 minutes or until butter until sofiened, liquid. Purée the peas, fhe cream cheese.SIX TO NINE MONTHS Creamy Chicken Sauce First make the recipe for Creamy Pasta Sauce (ee opposite), then make this simple chicken purée and combine the two for a special meal. MAKES 8 PORTIONS OF SAUCE, 1 single chicken breast on the bone Ye tablespoon chopped onion 1'/ cups water or chicken broth «a sprig of parsley Ya cup chopped celery 1.x Creamy Pasta Sauce (see page 68) Ys cup chopped carrot PR the chicken breast in a saucepan with the water or broth. Add the vegetables and parsley and simmer for 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. ‘Take the chicken off the bone and purée with the vegetables and as much broth as necessary. Combine the chicken purée with the Creamy Pasta Sauce. eo _ es Tomato and Zucchini Sauce MAKES 3 PORTIONS OF SAUGE 1 small zucchini, trimmed and diced 3 tomatoes, skinned, seeded, and chopped 2 tablespoons butter «cup grated Cheddar cheese Gee the zucchini in the butter for about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook over a gentle heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Purée in a blender, bel iTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Creamy Eggplant Sauce Before cooking, it is best to slice the eggplants and sprinkle them with salt to draw out the bitter flavors. Leave for 20 minutes and remember to wash the salt off well, MAKES 6 PORTIONS T small eggplant (about 8 02), peeled Yi eup ricotta cand sliced 1 tablespoon milk J tablespoon olive oil 'y the egaplant slices in hot olive oil until browned. When cooked, ap in paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Purée the eggplant, ricotta, and milk in a blender fo to the required consistency. ol Tey Be Popeye Pasta MAKES PORTIONS 1 cup fiozen or 2 cups chopped fresh 2 tablespoons milk spinach 2 tablespoons cream cheese 2 cup shell-shaped pasta Ys cup gnated Siviss cheese T tablespoon buaier ook the frozen spinach following box directions, or boil the fre ch in a Tittle watcr for about 5 minutes. Press out the excess ‘Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box. Melt the butter and sauté the cooked spinach. Combine with the milk and cheeses, and chop finely in a food processor. Mix with the cooked pasta. Te)Dey 6 Day e SIX TO NINE MONTHS SIX TO NINE MONTHS MEAL PLANNER Launch Dinner My Fiese Chicken Passe ‘Gried aente ‘Leek and Potato Pare Pear a Cottage Choose ‘ond Sharon ‘Frit Cannio Cottage Choose ‘and Sharon Fruit Fish with a Pasta with reat Paschal face me cheese Ged pear Pre Lovely Lente Peaches and Rice Fas ie ‘Spaced Potato Puree eter orl ie Minestrone ater oF tt nce My Fest Chicken Parse Tae Chicken with ‘Rice and Beas ine Tang Letance Se coe ‘Wie ut je _—‘THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER GE EAR 8 eee aC REC MEO BURNIN SER CHAPTER FOUR NINE TO TWELVE MONTHS lows down owards the end of the first year, a baby’s weight gain usually | quite dramatically. Quite often, babies who have been good eaters in the past become much more difficult to feed. Many refuse to be spoon-fed and want to assert their new-found independence, using their hands to feed themselves. My older daughter at the age of ten months went through a phase of refusing to cat anything offered to her on a spoon. L was determined that she should eat the home-made purées I had prepared, so I gave her various finger foods, such as steamed carrots or strips of toast, which T dipped into the purées. ‘That way T succeeded in getting her to cat and enjoy them, and everyone was happy. aie emeaN ele Me Lene aE RNAs alae NMGeLenmaeD 2 PS aU ase aa ee ae alas GaGa SaSs eee Desa Govnee aie mTOR GARNI 72 Qo Ok Tea EN Lae De aT mea aie SeNINE TO TY MEALTIME PATIENCE seer baby experiment by allowing her = = a spoon. Most of the food will prob- ed up on you or on the floor, but practise your baby’s aim will get bet- Pat a waterproof tablecloth under the chair to catch the food that falls on Ge Boor. It is probably best to have ovo Seek of food and two spoons: one that see use to spoonteed your baby, the other sbly a bowl whieh sticks to the table % section) for your baby to play with, ‘You will neéd lots of patience at me ‘Secs. as many babies are very easily dis seacted at this stage and may prefer to sy with their food rather than eat it, If i eke fails, I find that if you can attract ‘sour baby’s attention by giving her a small sey to hold, you can sometimes slip some Sod into her mouth on a spoon and then she will cat without really noticing what she is doing and will forget to put up any resistance! No child under the age of one ye needs to drink cow’s milk, For drinks, co nue using formula or breast milk, whi fas a much lower salt content and is com plete with essential vitamins. However, as solid food intake inereases, milk need no longer form such a staple part of your child’s diet, although she should still be drinking about 20 fl o7 (2'/2 cups) of milk a day (or the equivalent as dairy products or in cooking). Itis an important source of protein and calcium. Many mothers assume that when their baby cries it is 2a A eS Rm a FE MONTHS because she wants more milk but offen babies of this age are given too much milk and not enough solid food, If you fill your baby’s stomach with milk when she really wants some solid food, you will not get a very satislied baby. Tf you have a juice extractor, you can make all sorts of wonderful fruit and veg- cctable drinks for your baby — try combi nations like apple and banana juice. Your baby should now be drinking happily from a cup. Keep the bottle for her bed= time drink of warm milk. Your baby will be tecthing at this age and very often sore gums can put her off eating for a while. Don’t worry, as she will make up for this later that day or the next day, (Rubbing a teething gel on your baby’s gums, or giving her something very cold to chew, can help relieve soreness and restore appetite.) Tris. a good idea to eat something with your baby’ at meal times. ‘There are some mothers who sit opposite their babies and try to spoon food into their mouths while cating nothing themselves. Babies are great mimics and are more likely to enjoy cating if they sec you tucking in as well. THE FOODS ‘TO CHOOSE You can be a little more adventurous with the food that you make for your baby. It is fa good idea now to develop her tastes for garlic and herbs, both of which are very healthful. Children tend to be less fuss caters if they are introduced to a wide3 i | i : E Che See aa eRe MAST 7+ Baw ON THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER range of foods early. Again, if your baby dislikes certain foods, never force her to eat them; just leave out those foods and pethaps re-introduce them in a couple of months" time. Try also to vary the foods as mauich as possible, as this will Tead to a more balanced diet. If you give your child a favorite food too olien it is possible she will go off it altogether. Your baby can soon cat berry fruits (but these should still be put through a food mill in the earlier stages to get rid of the indigestible seeds). Fruit gelatins will be interesting for your baby to look at, feel, and eat. Your baby will like fruit and ve tables that have been grated. Oily fish can now be introduced: it con- tains iron and fat-soluble vitamins, which white fish does not. All fish must be very fresh. Chicken dishes can become more interesting in both texture and taste, and the types of pasta cooked can be large enough for the independent baby to pick up (butterllies, spirals, shells, andl animal shapes are good). Increase the quantity per serving of pasta to about '/2 °/+ cup cooked (41 Ya cup dry). Whenever possible, try to. make the food look attractive on the plate. Choose contrasting colors and arrange the food in pretty shapes. You can use your imagina- tion to make little faces or animals, Never pile to0 much food on to the plate but oller a second helping instead — your baby will let you know in no uncertain terms if she wants more. Meat All meats (including poultry) and fish are important in the diet of young children because they help iron in their dict to be absorbed. A good meat to introduce is liver, one of the most nutritious foods you can give. It is th iron and is easily digested. Much 10 our surprise, our children enjoy liver (neither my husband nor L can bear the taste! Red meat cooked off the bone should be quite safe to give to babies provided it i bought from a reputable source, IF using ground meat, choose some good-quality meat and ask your butcher to prepare it for you rather than buy it ready-prepared. Do hot give sausages or other processed meats, such as paté, to children. Afier cooking ground meat for young babies, I find that if Tchop it in a food processor for 30 seconds, it becomes much softer and eas ier to chew ~ it is offen the texture rather than the flavor that children don’t lik. TEXTURES AND QUANTITIES Icis easy to get into the habit of only giv- ing your baby soft foods but you should try to vary the consistency of food that you offer. “There is no need to purée all foods. Babies do not need tecth to be able to chew; their gums do a great job on foods that are not too hard. Give some food mashed (fish), some grated (cheese), some diced (carrots), and some whole (pieces of chicken, slices of toast, and pieces of raw fruit) . richest natural source of“Ger as quantities are concerned, you ‘= your baby’s appetite be your The portions in the recipes are a © what an average baby of this age eat (owo to three ice-cube-sized no longer singles). You could start food in larger containers, such as ‘yogurt pots, well covered with foil, ‘plastic bags, Many meals in this chap- == can be enjoyed by the whole family, in etch case adult-sized portions are given. FINGER FOODS sine months, your baby will probably «to start feeding herself. It is a good ‘Sea, therefore, to start giving her some Sods that are easy to eat with her finge Finger foods are great for occupying your child while you prepare her meal or you could make a whole meal of finger foods. Acer leave your child unattended while eating, It is very easy fora baby to choke on even very small pieces of food. Avoid giving your baby whole muts, fruits with pits, whole exapes, ice cubes, olives, and any other foods that might get stuck in her throat. Rane fruit Always peel fruit and make sure any pits or sceds have been removed. If your baby finds it difficult to chew, give soft fruits that melt in the mouth like bananas or peaches or grated fri Berry and citrus fruits should only be given in very small quantities to start with, Remove as much of the pith as possible. a0 NINE TO TWELVE MONTHS eee AAC A SR Many babies who are teething really enjoy biting into fruit. A banana put into the frcezer for a few hours makes an exec! Jent teething aid for young babies. Once your baby is able to hold food successfully, give her larger pieces of fruit and encour- age her to bite off Tite bits. (But don’t let hier slr these in her mouth: occasionally 1 had to resort to opening my son's mouth and removing food he refused to swallow!) If your baby has only a few teeth, then itis a good idea to give heer grated fruit. | FRUITY IDE. apples, apricots, avocado, banana, blueberries, cherries, grapes, iwi fruit, mango, melon, nectarine, orange, papaya, peach, pear, plums, | raspberries, strawberries, tomato te a . | Dried Fruits Dried fruits are an excellent source of iron. If the fruit is too hard for your baby to chew, sofien it first by soaking in boiling water. Do not give your baby a lot of dried fruit as it can be difficult to digest, and laxative in eflect. This i of raisins, including golden {although babies love them!) MORE FRUITY IDEAS apple rings, apricots, banana chips, dates, peaches, pears, prunes, raisins, golden raisinsTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLAN! Vegetables ‘To begin with, give your baby soli, cooked vegetables cut into pieces that are easy for her to hold, and encourage her to bite off little pieces. (It is best to steam vegetables as this will help to preserve Vitamin C.) Graclually cook the vegetables for less time so that your baby gets used to having to chew harder. Onee your baby has good coordination, she will enjoy pi lictle vegetables like peas and corn. Once your baby has mastered th feeding herself cooked vegetables, you ean introduce carefully washed grated raw vey- tables and also sticks of raw vegetables, Exen if your baby is unable to bite into these sticks, she will enjoy chewing on them as an aidl to teething. Sticks of raw vew bles, such as earnots and cucumber, are very soothing Torsore gums if they are chilled in the freezer OF i ieee Water or a lew min- utes, Large pects of Taw vegetabler are safer than small pieces as a baby will nibble olf what she can manage, whereas a small piece put into her mouth whole could ‘cause her to choke if she tried to swallow it When your baby can chew well, try giv- ing her cooked corn cobs Cutthe com in half or intothree pieces, or look out for mini-sized corn cobs in some supermar- kets — just right for babies. Gorn is fan to eat and babies love to hold and chew it. Vegetables are also very good dipped into sauces and purées. ‘Try using some of the recipes for vegetable purées as dipping Groene mamawA ce Ge TeR Ane A QENONeSeneeMNDRE ES eae Oe Rete ee Sean VEGETABLE VARIETY beans (green), bell pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn cobs fand kernels and baby corn), egyplant, mushrooms, peas, potato, rutabaga, snowpeas, swect potato, ziechini Breads and Teething Biscuits Pieces of toast, teething biscuits, and firm bread, like pita bread, can be dipped into purées and sauces. Offen a baby who refuses to be spoon-fed will eat her meal by sucking it off’ a biscuit or piece of toast. Many teething biscuits on the market contain as much sugar as a cookie and even so-called low-sugar ones can contain more than 15 percent sugar. It is very easy to make your own sugar-free alternative from wholewheat bread. HOME-MADE TEETHING BISCUITS For home-made teething biscuits, simply cut a thick (1 inch) slice of wholewheat {cracked wheat or rye) bread into 3 strips. Place on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven preheated to 350°F for 15 minutes. If your baby does not like plain teething biscuits, you ean try adding a litle cheese. If wished, you can prepare a store of teething biscuits in advance, i They will keep well in an airtight : container for 3.4 days. t 76 Qk WADA SABRE ae OeNINE. YO EWELVE MONTHS i 2 ul Rice cakes come in all lifter ‘rent flavors sed are excellent for tecthing, as they seem to hold together well Miniature Sandwiches Line sandwiches cut into fingers, squares, sesall triangles, or even animal shapes ssing a cookie cutter are very popular seth babies. Some suggestions for sand- sich fillings are given below; see also the seddler section for a more exhaustive list fpages 186-187), FILLING SUGGESTIONS. mashed banana, avocado and chopped tomato, chopped chicken with fruit chutney; cottage cheese and grated apple, cream cheese and strawberry jelly, Vegemite and grated cheese, grated cheese and grated cucumber ‘mashed sardines with lettuce Breakfast Cereals Babies love to pick up and eat lite pieces of breakfast cereal. Try to choose cereals that are fortified with iron and vitamins and which do not have any added sugat: Some suggestions for suitable cereals are given below. GOOD MORNING MUNCHIES Cheerios, Gornflakes, G Srahams sla, Chex, Cheese Start by giving your baby grated cheese or cut_waler-thin slices, Once she has mas- tered chewing, you can move on to chunks and strips of cheese, I have found that the following cheeses are especially popular: Cheddar, mozzarella, Edam, Swiss, and Monterey Jack. Cream cheese, ricotta, and c cheeses are also favorites, Avoid strong cheeses like blue cheese, Bric, and Camembert. Alvays make sure that the cheese you give your baby is pasteurized Pasta Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes. Tt is soft to chew and very appealing to babie T have given some recipes for pasta sauces but most of the vegetable purées can also be served with pasta. You ean try sprinkling alitule grated cheese over the pasta as well My children also enjoy eating spaghetti as finger food! Meat Slices or chunks of cooked chicken (or turkey) make great finger food for babic ‘As well as plain pieces of chicken, try giv- ing your baby chicken cooked in a suc Very often the sauce makes the chicken more tender and so it is easier for your baby to chew: Miniature chicken balls are another favorite (try my recipe for Chicken and Apple Balls, page 98). Your baby may also enjoy chewing on miniature drumsticks. Remove the skin and make sure that your 90 Ae OE es RS ea ee Eee aITHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER baby avoids eating any pieces of bone. There is a fine needle-like bone in all drumsticks which is potentially very dan- gerous ~ extra care needs to be taken, Strips of sautéed liver make good fin- ger food as they are easy to hold and soft to eat. Try; too, some miniature meatballs (see page 154). Pieces of steak and chunks of meat are generally too tough for yor babies to chew: Fish Picecs of flaked white fish are good as they are low in fat, high in protein, and easy for your child to chew. You can give them to her cither plain or mixed with a sauce. However, do take extra care when serving fish to your baby. In any recipe, ‘you should cheek the fish thoroughly for ones before you cook it and when flaking it. Make your own fish fingers and fish balls (sce pages 94 and 134). BREAKEASI Phe first meal of the day is important to all of us after a night's fasting, particular- ly so for energetic babies and toddlers! Recipes can now contain more interest- ing and more nutritious grains. Wheat- eT ee le he Dee laes eS germ is particularly good and can be sprinkled on to cereals or yogurt. Mixing cereals and fruit makes a delicious and nutritious start to the day. Many of the home-made cereals can be mixed with apple juice instead of milk. Recent research has shown that oat bran (available in health-food stores) can prevent the build up of cholesterol in the blood (even in young children) and you can easily include this in your baking for the whole family. Highly refined, sugar-coated cereals should be avoided. Do not be fooled by the list of added vitamins on the side of the box — unprocessed cereals are much healthier for your child. Individual packets of cereals are great fun for your baby. She can nibble from the box and once it is empty it is fun to play with, 100. Choosing different cereals. to combine can brighten the morning, There are also some recipes toddler baking and fruit dessert sections that make excellent breakfast Pineapple and Raisin Muff Funny Shape Gookies (page 178), Covered Fruit Salad (page 165), or Banana Split (page 164). 2 GoC KW Rl See aee ae TA 2 i i ——NINE 10 TWELVE MONTHS. ae) ae ee a EE BREAKFAST Fruity Swiss Muesli This tasty and nutritious breakfast will make a good start to the day. You can vary th strawberries, ban fruit in this muesli, adding, for example, peache as, or chopped ready-to-eat dried apricots. MAKES 4 ADULT PORTIONS, 1 cup wheatgerm 1 eup regular oatmeal T/> cups unsicectened apple juice 2 teasponns lemen juice (optional) c the ig oatmeal, and apple then cover and refrigerale over- night (if preferred, mix together and let stand for 5-10 min until the liquid is absorbed). The next morning. mix the lemon juice with the grated apples. Stir these into the oatmeal mixture together with the pears, maple syrup, and yogurt, Spoon the mi nto serving bowls and add some fresh seasonal fruits. ‘This muesli can be blended in a food processor for young babies. 2 apples, peeled, cored, and grated 2 pears, peeled, cored, and chopped J tablespoon maple syrup L/ eps plain yogurt S| 79 amFruity Yogurt Many commercial fruit yogurts have a lot of added sugar. Itis easy to make your own, adding a combination of your baby’s favorite foods MAKES 2 ADULT PORTIONS Ys ripe peach, pitted, skinned, and Yo cup plain yogurt chopped teaspoons maple syrup Ys small banana, pected and chopped imply mix all the ingredients together and serve. Mash the fruit for younger babies, i iL jal Banana and Prune Fool ‘This only takes a couple of mit also a good recipe to try ules to prey your baby c and is quite delicious. It is Titde bit constipated. MAKES 1 PORTION 5 canned prranes in fit juice, pitted 1 tablespoon plain yogurt T small ripe banana, peeled 1 tablespoon cream cheese Piss al the ingrectionts together ina blender with 1-2 tablespoons of the juice from the canned fruit. Blend until smooth. Le] on RECS BeSeweSs TST yo PoUweE Sone oem be Sri aaa eaeNINE TO TWELVE MONTHS 2 eee oe ae oe ee ae eee 8 8 Creamy Dried Apricots with Pears “This was one of my danghter’s favorite purées. Combining oatmeal with, milk and dried apricots makes 2 nutritious breakfast for your baby. MAKES 4 PORTIONS 6 ready-to-eat dried apricots Large or 2 small ripe pears, peeled, Yo cup mill cored, and cut into pieces 1 tablespoon regular oatmeal immer the apricots in water for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the milk in a saucepan, stir in the oatmeal, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, Once cooked, set aside, Add the pears and apricots, and stir into th mixture. Purée in a blender. eal A Grown-Up Breakfast Unfortunately, many breakfast cereals designed specifically for children are laden with sugar, T give my children old-fashioned ecreals like Graham crackers, oatmeal, or muesli and sweeten them with fresh fruit MAKES | PORTION 1 tablespoon Graham crackers 3 tablespoons plain yogurt or mil 1 small banana F ely crumble the Graham crackers and mash the banana, Combine all the ingredients and serve. ee Dee CSRS 4) Rael oR Meee Des eseTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER = eA Summer Fruit Muesli atmeal overnight and stir in extra fresh fruits like awberries the next day for a nutritious muesli, If your too young for lumpy food, this can be blended to a fine purée. MAKES + ADULT PORTIONS. 11 cups regular oatmeal 2 dessert apples, peeled, coved, and grated 2 tablespoons golden raisins £6 tablespoons milk 1'/e cups natural apple or apple and a litle maple syrup or honey (for babies pear juice tower 1 yea nae Deel awe Baca ix the oatmeal, golden raisins, and apple juice in a bowl. Cover a eave to soak overnight in the refrigerator, Next day, stir in the rest of the ingredients and extra chopped fruit and drizzle over a little maple syrup or honey (optional). y ee) Mixed Cereal Muesli As your child gets older you ean let her help make up her ve muesli recipe using her favorite breakfast cereals and f MAKES 2 ADULT PORTIONS = a 1 tablespoon Cheerios Yo tablespoon raisins Dever eee we wees 1 tablespoon Bran Flakes Ye small dessert apple, peeled, cored, 1 tablespoon Graham crackers, crushed cand cut into chunks 4 slices of canned preaches, el into clanks 2 teaspoons whealgerm 6 ix all the ingredients together, varying the cereals and fruit to taste, and serve with milk. eI 22 Glo Mio wa wD UA eae aiP, Yor those of you who have never heard of maizo, itis a large square of unleavened bread similar to cr and my son loved to snap it into pice B MAKES 2 ADULT PORTIONS 2 matzos 2 tablespoons butter 1 egg, beaten a pinch of sugar (optional) reak the matzos into bite-sized pieces and soak for a couple of minutes n cold water. Squecze out the excess water, then add the matzos to the aten cag, Melt the butter in a skillet until sizzling and fry the matzos on Lie 2 Oe WE 23 SAS Se Eee b both sides. Sprinkle with sugar if wished. 1A cups milk Loz dried peaches or apricots, chopped Ys cup oatmeal 1 teaspoon chopped raivins Jour the milk into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Mix in the oatmeal and bring back to boil, stirring. Add the the heat, and simmer for about minutes or until thickened. NINE TO TWELVE MONTHS (ae ae es 1 ae The Three Bears’ Breakfast ‘This makes a very nutritious breakfast, but make sure your child eats it up before Goldilocks comes to the front door! MAKES 2 ADULT PORTIONS opped dried fruit, lower LT | Matzo Brei pbread, When uncooked, it is very brittle and strew it all over the floor: his is why I prefered to give it to him cooked!‘THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER ei aS aA CO Ke TOS TESS French Toast French toast can be served with a variety of toppings, such as maple syrup, peanut butter, or jelly: For a change, you could add cinnamon instead of vanilla, then blend a ripe banana with the milk, and soak the bread in the banana mixture before frying. MARES 2 ADULT PORTIONS Lege 2 slices white, raisin, or wheatmeat 2 tablespoons muilk bread Yi teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons butter B: the egg lightly and add the milk and vanilla. Soak the bread in the mixture. Melt the butter in a skillet and fry the slices of by both sides until golden brown, Wheatmeal bread slices are more fi than white bread and can break very casily oe Cheese Scramble Until your child is one ye nbled egg should be cooked until it is quite firm and not runny. You could use cottage cheese instead of Cheddar, MAKES | ADULT PORTION 1 ge 1 tablespoon finely grated Cheddar 1 tablespoon mith cheese T tablespoon butter 1 tomato, skinmed and seeded (optional) eRe Re Sake Ge TSG a ee Rae CeOaLemeDeGge | ecas Be the egg with the milk, Melt the butter over a low heat and add the ‘egg mixture, Cook slowly, stirring all the time. When the mixture has thickened and looks sofi and creamily set, add the cheese and tomato. Serve immediately. — (0S 8 WS a aah a Seren Ue aSe eB ATES TA Tae ee Gee TeSEeOwAONINE TO TWELVE MONTHS 02 SO OT US US A TU wT TS FRUIT Baked Apples with Raisins ‘Tart apples have a better flavor but dessert apples are sweeter. You can use either for this recipe. ‘The apples are delicious served with ice cream or custard sauce, MAKES 6 BABY OR 2 ADULT PORTIONS: 2 apples L tablespoon maple syrup or honey (if Yo cub apple juice or weater using tart apples) 2 tablespoons raisins «litle butter oF margarine 4 little pocedered cinnamon C= the apples and prick the skins with a fork to stop them bursting. Put the apples in an ovenproof dish and pour the apple juice or water around the base. Put | tablespoon of the raisins into the center of cach apple, sprinkle with cinnamon, and pour over the maple syrup oF honey (if using tart apples). Top each with a litle butter, Bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for about 15 minutes, Yor young babies, scoop out the pulp of the apple and then purée coarsely with the raisins and some of the juices from the dish. SLs | | |THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER. Apple and Blackberry Blackberries and apples make a delicious combination, and the ich are rich in Vitamin C) turn the apples dark red. This also makes a great filling for a crumble (see page 167). MAKES 6 PORTIONS. 2 tart apples, peled, coed, and A eup blackberries chopped Ys cup brown sugar jook the apples with the blackbei sina saucepan with the sugar and 1 tablespoon water. Cook until the apples are soft (15 20 minutes) Put the fruic through a mill to make into a smooth ele] Sede Geta aSe Ue Te MED ee Rice Pudding with Peaches I tablespoon each of vanilla and brown 1 heaped tablespoon raisins sugar, ar 2 tablespoons Ys exp peach or apple juice superfine sugar Be the milk to a boil, add the rice, sugar, and cinnamon stick, and mmer, stirring occasionally, for about | hour tender, Alternately, bake in a buttered ovenproof dis at 30°F, stirring after 30 minutes. - Meanwhile, puré 10 minutes or until for about 2 hours the peaches, and simmer the raisins in the peach or apple juice. When the rice pudding is cooked, stir in the peach pun raisins, and fruit juice SLieL] RT Tea e Gaels eee 95 Ga Twe eRe we cee mea ee | MAKES 8 10 BABY OR 4 ADULT PORTIONS 2 cups milk I cinnamon stick ‘4 cup short-grain rice 2 ripe peaches, skinned and pittedNINE TO TWELVE MONTHS Fresh Pear with Semolina This recipe is also good with apricots or apple purée with cinnamon. + do not have any semotina, you can add a finely crushed rusk to th milk (which does not need to be boiled) MAKES 2 PORTIONS 1 tablespom semolina 2 teaspoons maple grup cap mill 4 pinch of powdered cinnamon ripe pear, peeled, coved, and sliced jot the semofina and milk in a saucepan, bring to a boil, an for 2 minutes, Add the pear, maple syrup, and cinnamon, then put eel Strawberry Rice Pudding The secret of a yood rice pudding is long, slow, gentle cooking, Make afier breakfast ancl ic will be ready in time for lunch, MAKES 6 BABY OR 3 ADULT PORTIONS 4 cup short-grain rehite rice 2Y2 cups milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract «litte Outer 2 teaspoons straceberey jelly dish. Pour over the milk, dot with the butter, and cook in a preheated to 300°F for 3 hours. Stir the mixt Serv with extr ee 2a COURS 87 Ok ON een aN Ae ae A VOR a ee we Bem we he mmer ingredients through @ mill to make a purée or chop the pear finely: Px the rice, vanilla, and strawberry jelly into a buttered ovenproof on _ | well alier 30 minutes, J strawberry jelly swirled into the rice pudding. } ee BenesTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Cheese and Raisin Delight ‘This makes a delicious combination and is very nutritious. MAKES 2 PORTIONS Yo small apple, peeled Ys tablespoons raisins Ya cup grated Siviss cheese 1 tablespoon plain yogurt Cz the apple and mix in the Swiss cheese, raisins, and yogurt. For ‘young babies who do not chew, put all the ingredients in a blender and blend for about 1 minute. ea] Dried Apricots with Papaya and Pear r Dried apricots are rich in betacarotene and iron and they combine well with a variety of fresh fruits. This is also good mixed with yogurt. = MAKES 4 PORTIONS J cup dried apricots 1 ripe, juicy pear, peeled, cored, and Ys vipe papaya, skinned, seeded, and chopped chopped Pp the apricots in a small saucepan and just cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer until sofiened (about 8 minutes). Drain and chop the apricots and ° mix with the chopped papaya and pear, or purée for babies who prefer a smoother textur ime) OCTET SAS eT eGal py QeUe eee Sew Meee we a 2 a i =NINE. TO TWELVE MONTHS. yA ee RRR Aw | VEGETABLES Oscar’s Delight So called be« racter ise it is the same green color as “Oscar,” the from Sesame Siret. If my son believes this is Oscar's favorite food he is much more likely to cat it himself. The egg yolk is a good source of iron. MAKES.$ PORTIONS J medium zucchini, trimmed, washed, 4c cup eack broccoli and cauliflower ‘and sliced florets | 1 hard-boiled egg yolk, sicced sa the vegetables until tender (78 minutes), coarsely chop them and | & eo] sprinkle with the sieved egg yolk, or purée together for young babies. Cherub’s Couscous MAKES $ PORTIONS Yr cup diced scevet potato 1 tablespoon chopped raisins (optional) 1//s cups vegetable broth (see page 33) Ys cup frozen peas Ys cup couscous Pehewet bates boil in half the broth, Cover and simmer lor 15-20 minutes, Bring the remaining broth to a boil and pour over the couscous and raisins in a bowl. Cover and leave for 5 minutes. When the sweet potato is tender, add the peas and cook for 5 more minutes. Mix the vegetables, cooking liquid, and couscous, and Mull with a fork. GLie_ TSE OTe TE 59 CRD ee MONT R) w aeTHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER 2 se 2 SORE eRe emwmES Lentil and Vegetable Purée This makes a delicious purée which my nine-month-old daughter loved. Lentils are an excellent source of protein and very easy to cook. MAKES & PORTIONS 2 tablespoons butter 1/5 cups vegetable broth (see page 33) 1 cup sliced, washed leek or water 11/3 eups chopped carols 7 exp cauliflower florets + eup split red lentils Yo dessert apple, peeled, cored, and chopped ck baer an sauté the eek for about 5 minntes. Ad the carrots and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, Add the lentils and broth, ig 10 @ boil, then cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the cauliflower and apple and cook for another 13 minutes or until the lentils and vegetables are tender. Purée to the desired consistency. Babies love the bright colors and miniature size of these vegetables. I makes eating fim, and is a good lesson in fi MAKES 6 PORTIONS Ya cup olive oit 1 cup fiozen peas 4 shallots, peeled and finely chopped 1s cups finzen corn Tred bell pepper, seeded and finely 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese - chopped 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley S B_e6_& Multi-Colored Casserole | ATCA DAB Geo MT 90 Qe MMIC EMO RE RONAR DNINE TO TWELVE MONTHS ONE Le a OR He the oil in a skillet, add the shallots and red bell pepper, and cook 3 minutes. Meanwhile, steam the peas and corn or cook in boiling water for about + minutes, then drain. Put the vegetables into an ‘ovenproof dish, sprinkle with the cheese and parsley, and bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for 15 minutes, lel 18) Cabbage Surprise ‘This is a delicious recipe and very simple to prepare. It makes a great lunchtime meal for the whole family; just inerease the quantities, sprinkle with extra grated cheese, cither Cheddar or Parmesan, and brown under the broiler before serving. Alternately, mix all the cooked ingredients together and bake in the oven at 350°F for 15 MAKES 6 PORTIONS 2Vo tablespoons brown rice alittle margarine or oil 1 exp shredded cabbage > eup grated Cheddar cheese 1 small tomato, skinned, seeded, and chopped Oe the rice in water until quite sofi (about 25 minutes). Boil the cabbage in water for about 5 minutes or until tender, Sauté the tomato in a little margarine, add the swell drained cabbage, and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes. Stir in the grated cheese and cook over a low heat until all the cheese has melted. Mix the cabbage, tomato, and cheese together with the cooked rice and chop it into small pi SEC)THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER GSAT a 4 we UALR NESE RAR aD Vegetables in Cheese Sauce MAKES 6 PORTIONS 1 cup cauliflower florets Cheese Sauce 1 carol, peeled and thinly sliced 2 tablespoons margarine Ys eup frozen peas 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 zucchini, ccasked and sliced 1 cup mil up grated Cheddar cheese S= the cauliflower and carrot for 6 minutes, then add the peas and zucchini and cook for a further + minutes. For a young baby, cook the vegetables until they are very soft Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce in the usual way (sce page 59). Mash, chop, or purée the vegetables with the sauce. Sel Green Fing TS Green beans make great linger food, To make them more appealing, arrange them in a pattern on the plate. MAKES 5 PORTIONS, Ya small onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon flour a litle margarine o oil Ys up chicken broth Gaz green beans, trimmed Ya cup milk 2 tablespoons grated Scviss cheese wté the onion in a little margarine or oil for about 4 minutes until soft = but not golden. Meanwhile, steam the b is for 6 8 minutes until tender. Make a whitc sauce with | tablespoon margarine, the flour, broth, milk, and chees ¢ page 59), Pour the sauce over the beans and onions or chop coarsely a OAT CA Dea Me GN 92 CAMINO AN sLeleceiiehe eleGe soe £0801 ekawe a ebelelegeie epeeNINE ‘TO TWELVE MONTHS FISH Flounder with Her y to make and all the flavor is sealed in a parcel MAKES 3 PORTIONS. 1 fillet of flounder, skinned 1 small zucchini, oashed and sliced 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 teaspoons chopped chives 1 small tomato, skinned, seeded, and 1 sprig each of parsley. tarragon, and chopped chervil (optional) Pp ce the fish fillet on a piece of oiled aluminum foil. Mix all the cmaining ingredients together and place on top of the fish. Wrap up securely. Cook in an oven preheated to 350°F for about 12 minutes or until the fish just flakes with a fork. Remove the herb sprigs and mash with a fork el] Sa WEE 93 ADL MM A MNRAS EAT con A SR 8m RO NERY J AME, 2 EOLVHE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER AG Ge wee AG SRE Boe mime amen Fingers of Sole ‘These fingers of sole are fun for babies and toddlers to cat, and make great finger food. They can be served plain or, for older children, with a home-made tomato sauce. Simply purée 3 skinned and seeded tomatoes éed shallot, | tablespoon tomato paste, 2 teaspoons of milk, and a teaspoon of finely chopped basil. These “fish fingers” are much better for your child than commercial ones which are full of colori ig and: additives. If you are not using all the fingers at on is best to free them before they are cooked. You can then take out as many finges ‘ed for a freshly cooked meal. You could substitute flounder for ‘rushed cornflakes also make a delicious coating for other types of fish, such as haddock or cod. _| MAKES 8 PORTIONS 1 shallot, peeled and finely chopped Lege F tablespoon mil. all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon vegetable oil crushed cornflakes 1 sole, flleted aud skinned alittle butter or margarine for fiying Mi together the chopped shallot, half the milk, and the oil. Marinate the fish fillets in this mixture for | hour, Remove the fillets from the marinade. Cut them into 4 or 5 diagonal strips, depending on the size of sole. Beat the egg together with the remaining milk, Dip the strips first into the flour, then the egg and milk, and finally the crushed cornflakes. Fry the fingers in butter until golden brown on both sides. They should take no more than 5 minutes to cook. (ole) Ts) eMa Rahs leGs WRAL ele Qe wEnEge rene hemeDEae WEN OeTeGe eee aa asia se ee Gece are Dee: aa jo Gia seals: TaeGeG GM oy BO ewENOR DeNINE TO ‘TWELVE MONTHS ae a ee ao apes Bo eae we Fillets of Sole with Grapes Fruit and fish mix very well together and the sweemess of the grapes in this recipe gives the sole a delicious taste that babies love. Flounder could be used in place of sole. MAKES 1 PORTIONS lets of sole, skinned Ya cup milk T small shallot, peeled and finely 1 tablespoon margarine chopped 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon chopped parsley 6 grapes, skinned, halved, and seeded ip the fillets of sole in a dish together with the shallot and parsley. and pour over the milk, Gook in an oven preheated to 350°K for 810 cninates or cover with a lid and microwave on High for 3!/2 minutes, Once the fish is cooked, strain and reserve the milk. Use the margarine, the flour, and the flavored milk to make a thick : FCW sauce in the usual way (ce page 59). Chop the grapes into the sauce, Chop the fish into pieces and pour the sauce over the Gish. ele)iS UA e nena SeSe le Bed ell EQNS eNOS AeeDED! = CR UeD ees eRe TGs GT 95 RoC SSNS De Haddock with Vegetables in a Cheese Sauce Babies love bright colors and the yellow of green of the bell pepper and le he corn with the red and ke this dish look attractive. Be ‘arefial not to overcook the fish or it will become dry. Once cooked, the ish will just flake with a fork and, mixed with the cheese sauce, will be ind soft for your baby to eat MAKES 6 PORTIONS 6 07 fillet of. haddock, skinned Cheese Sauce a little butter T tablespoon butter «a squeeze of lemon (optional) T tablespoon all-purpose flour Ys eup shredded leek Ye cup milk Y, cup fiozen corn Yo cup grated Cheddar cheese Yared bell pepper, skinned, seeded, and chopped Pe the fish into a dish, dot with butter, and add a squeeze of lemon Juice, if using, Cover with a lid and microwave for 4 minutes on High. Alternately, cook the fish in an oven preheated to 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Sauté the leek in a little butter for 2 minutes. Cook the corn and bell pepper in boiling water until tender (about 6 minutes). Make the cheese sauce in the usual way (sce page 59). Flake the fish with a fork and stir with the vegetables and bell pepper into the cheese sauce. @_ la myNINE TO TWELVE MONTHS. Salmon with a Creamy Chive Sauce Salmon is easy to cook. It can be cooked very quickly i but here T have wrapped it in aluminum foil with some vegetables heths and cooked it more slowly to bring out the flavor MAKES 5 PORTIONS. 4 os filet of salmon Chive Sauce 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon butter Ye small onion, peeled and sliced T tablespoon all-purpose flow Yo bay leaf Ya cup milk 72 small tomato, cut into chanks cooking liguid from the fish a.sprig of parsley 2 teaspoons snipped chives a lille butter rap the salmon in aluminum {oil with the rest of the ingredients and bake in an oven preheated (0 350°F for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, thick white sauce, using the butter, flour, and milk in the usteal way salmon is cooked, remove it from the foil, strain off the cooking liquid, and add this to the white sauce. Finally, stir the snipped chives into the sauce, Flake the salmon and pour the chive 2 RD NENA EAR MM Ne wh‘THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL, PLANNER. 2S a RSL RE STE TAA Ie aE eR CHICKEN Chicken with Apple ‘The sweetness of the apple makes this chicken recipe especially appealing to babies, MAKES 3 PORTIONS, 1 single chicken breast, skinned and 1 dessert apple, peeled, coved, and chopped chopped 5 tablespoons chicken broth (se page 62) 1 tablespoons apple juice Pp" the chicken in a saucepan with the broth, bring to a boil, and simmer for 6-8 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Meanwhile, cook the apple in the apple juice in a saucepan over a low heat until soft (about 5 minutes}. Mix together the cooked apple and chicken and chop or purée, nd chop or purée elec) ‘This is a tasty recipe, very easy to make, and the apple blends really well with the chicker to bring out the flavor and keep it moist. These littl balls make great finger food. MAKES 10 GOLF-BALL-SIZED PORTIONS. 3 single chicken breasts or 6 thighs, off Ye small onion, peeled and chopped the bone and skinned 1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled Chicken and Apple Balls . 1 large dessert apple, peeled (for babies over 1 year) 1H tablespoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons fresh bread crumbs J tablespoon chopped sage or parsley, or all-purpose flour 4 pinch of ‘mixed dried herbs regelable ilNINE TO TWELVE MONTHS Re A EE ee BORN hop the chicken very finely in the food processor and grate the apple. Mix the lemon juice with the apple to stop it turning brown. ombine the chicken, apple, onion, fresh or dried herbs, crumbled bouillon cube (if using), and bread crumbs. Form into little balls and roll in flour: Heat the oil in a skillet and, when it is really hot, shallow-fry the balls until they ar nd cooked through (about 6 minutes). ela #4) Bang Bang Chicken © golden So called because my son likes to help when I flatten the chicken by banging it with a mallet! You can prepare these chicken fingers in advance. Before frying the chicken, cut it into strips, wrap cach strip separately, and freeze, Just take one or oso strips out of the freezer and firy them for freshly cooked chicken fingers. MAKES & PORTIONS 1 double chicken breast, skinned and off 1 tablespoon chopped partey (optional) the bone 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 slices wholecheat bread Legg, beaten I tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese regelable il (optional) over the chicken with waxed paper and flatten with a mallet or rolling pin, then eut each breast lengthwise into 4 strips, Make bread crumbs from the slices of bread in a food processor. If you are using the Parmesan and parsley, mix these together with the bread crumbs in a bowl. Dip the chicken into the flour, then into the egg, and finally into the bread crumbs, Fry in oil for 3-4 minutes each side until golden on the outside and cooked through. Drain well on paper towels and then serve. ol Te] MEENA 99THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNE! Creamy Chicken with Spinach Tor young babies this makes a nice creamy purée. For toddlers, chop the chicken, serve it on a bed of spinach, and pour over the sauce. MAKES 3 PORTIONS, 1 single chicken breast, skinned and off 2 cups spinach, chopped the bone 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2egetable vil Vs teaspoan grated nutmeg “cup Creamy Pasta Sauce (ove page 68) Se the chicken in a little oil until cooked through. Make the pasta auce (soe page 68). Cook the spinach in boiling water for + minutes, i Drain and press out all the water, Stir in the Parmesan and nutmeg Combine the chicken, pasta sauce, and spinach and then chop ina food proce sor. Gel | i Chicken with Summer Vegetables In the summer, you can ofien find different varieties of squash — some are round, some green, and some yellow: They are all dclicious, but this | recipe can also be made simply with zucchini, MAKES 6 PORTIONS. 1 shallot, peeled and finely chopped 2 tablespoons apple juice Va ved bell pepper, serded and finely Ys cup chicken broth (see page 62) chopped 2 succhini, finely chopped 2 tablespoons vegetable oil a small piece of yellow squash, finely . 1 single chicken breast, skinned, of the chopped (optional) ome, aud cut into chunk 1 tablespoon chopped basi NOCGAT ESAS e SOUS 1) UCN, VOW TSGA Lak eGaSa a SeSe he CeO DesaNINE TO TW! ELVE MONTHS ES AOE en RRS ae Se the shallot and bell pepper in the oil until softened. Stir in the chicken and continue © cook for about + minutes. Pour over the apple juice and broth and stir in the zucchini, squash, and basil. Bring to © boil, then cover and simmer lor about 12 minutes or until the chicken & thoroughly cooked and the vegetables are tender. Chop or purée to the desired consistency. e. eL_& Chicken with Cornflakes Cornflakes are very versatile, and J often use them instead of bread crumbs to coat both chicken and fish. These strips of chicken make good finger food. Belore cooking, they can be individually wrapped and frozen. MAKES § 4 PORTIONS J egg, beaten 1 double chicken breast, skinned, 1 tablespoon milk Off the bone and cut into 8 strips Teup cornflakes, crushed 1 tablespoon melted butter Mis together the beaten egg and milk in a shallow dish. In a sepa dish, spread out the cornflake crumbs. Dip the strips of chicken into the egg and then coat with the cornflakes. Put the chicken strips in a greased ovenproof dish, drizzle over the melted butter and toss to coat. Bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Alternately, the chicken strips can be sautéed in oil until golden and cooked through. ele [#]‘THE WEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER OORT 8.6 Me FORD Gee mee eee Chicken with Winter Vegetables Phis is quick and easy to prepare and has a delicious rich chicken favor Tt is good with mashed potato, MAKES 6 PORTIONS 1 double chicken breast, on the bone J white of leek, washed and sliced cand skinned 1 carro, peeled and sticed «litle flour 1 celery stalk, trimmed and sliced aegetable oil 1 cups chicken broth 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped (ee page 62) Ce the chicken breast into 4 pieces, roll each in flour, and brown them: in a litde oil for 3-4 minutes. In another skillet, sauté the onion and eek in a Tiule oil for 5 minutes until soft and golden. Put the chicken into a casserole dish together with all the vegetables and the broth. Cook in an oven preheated to 350°F for | hour, stirring hall-way through. ‘Take the chicken off the bone and then chop the meat into little pieces with the vegetables, or purée it together with the cooking liquid in a mill or blender.NINE TO TWELVE MONTHS NORE ORS A OE ERR Re Bee BRINN RED MEATS Beef Casserole with Carrots This recipe has a delicious rich taste. ‘Phe secret is to cook the meat for a Tong time so that itis very tender and has a good flavor from the onions and carrots. MAKES 10 PORTIONS. 2 medium onions, peeled and sliced 1 beef bouillon cube, crumbled aegetable vil L tablespoon chopped parsley 12 03 lean stewing beef trimmed and 1's cups weater cut into smal chunks 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced (quarters the onions until golden in a litde oil, then add the meat chunks and brown. Transfer the meat and onions to a small casserole and add the rest of the ingredients except for the potatoes. Cook, covered, in an oven preheated to 350°F for 30 minutes, then turn down the heat and cook for a further 21/2 hours at 325°E One hour before you finish cooking the meat, add the potatoes Chop the meat quite finely in a food processor or blender so that it is easy for your baby to chew, If the meat gets too dry during cooking, add a little extra water. For older children, you can also add mushrooms and tomatoes t0 this recipe half an hour before the end of cooking time. Ome mE ie AO URE [03 CASON wR e NAR) ROT,TH NGC en as weenie I have found that mo it for their children, But live a good source of iron, and is also very easy to cook. I must ad dislike the taste of liv but, to my great surprise, my one-year-old son adored it. This recipe is good served with mashed potato. 1 small onion, pected and chopped 1 cup vegetable broth (see page 33) egetable oil 8 ag calf’ liver, trimmed and sliced 1 large or 2 small carr chopped and parsley. Cover and fiver into small pieces Savory Veal Casserole A delicious casserole the quantities for a meal the whole family can enjoy. 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped 4 02 lean veal for stewing 1 carrot, scraped and sliced 1 sprig rosemary Ys celery stalh, zegetable oil ie the onion in a little oil until uanslucent, Add the chopped carrots nd continue to fey for about + minutes, Add the broth, Ti E HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER eC NACHRS NS Cee TAA E TE een Liver Casserole others who do not like liver themselves seldom cook ry good for children; itis easy to digest, it that I n forced to eat it as a child at school, ver, having be MAKES & PORTIONS, Ws peeled and 2 tomatoes, skinned, seeded, and chopped teaspoons chopped parsley cr, tomatoes, | simmer over a low heat for 15. 20 minutes. Gut the or blend for a few seconds to make a coarse puré Lie 3 of veal, vegetables, and fresh herbs — just increase MAKES 3 PORTIONS, iced 1 sprig parley Ys aup waier WORT 10 QAM NMEA NCR?NINE > TWEL! & MONTHS, ee shee eet ‘Priv enon see si cin Se fo Sonal Cu ead to chunks and put it into a saucepan with the vegetables, herbs, and the water, Simmer slowly, covered, for 1 hour, (stirring once). Remove the herbs and coarsely chop the veal and vegetables in a food processor Kol le] |e Special Steak ‘This recipe makes a very good introduction to red meat for your baby. MAKES + PORTIONS, 2 cups diced potato seeded and chopped 1 shallot or onion, peeted and finely T tablespoon vegetable oit chopped 4 oc fillet steak 1 small succkini, washed and chopped 2 tablespoons: milk Ya ved bell pepper, skinned, T teasproon butter Bi the potato until tender, then drain, Meanwhile, sauté the shallot, icchini, and red bell pepper in the oil until sofiened. Spoon the vegetable mixture on to a piece of aluminium foil. Cut the steak into + slices and place on top of the vegetables. Cook under a preheated broiler for 2.3 minutes cach side or until cooked. Mash the potato with the milk and butter until smooth. Chop or purée the steak together with the vegetables ina blender and mix with the mashed potato.Qruseeacnenssenre See eo QepeRegs Se leDemeoeme | THE HEAL! SRT a Tae INERT Rome Se rHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Creamy Beef Hash For babies who are good at chewing you could just chop this bri food processor. It is worth buying good quality ground be and likely to be more tender when cooked. MAKES 4 PORTIONS fly ina as it is leaner 4+ onion, peeled and finely chopped 1 teaspoon each chopped parsley and Lsmall piece of garlic, finely chopped basil (optional) 2 tablespoons chicken or beef broth cooking oil I medium potato, peeled %4 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 2 tablespoons milk Yo cup lean ground beef 7 teaspoon butter F y the onion and garlic in a litde oil for about 5 minutes until soft. Add the green bell pepper and fry for a further 3 minutes, Add the meat, parsley, and basil and cook the meat, stirring, until it turns brown, Add the broth or 2 tablespoons water, cover, and simmer for 15 20 minutes until the meat is very tender, Meanwhile, cook the potato until tender and mash together with the milk and butter. Put the potato and meat through a mill to make a very smooth purée. biasNIN TO TWELVE MONTHS, ORES R AA eRe ew RR ee Tasty Rice with Meat and Vegetables MAKES 8 PORTIONS: Ys onion, pected and. finely chopped Rice 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped Ys eup white rice regetable vil 1 eups chicken broth (se page 62) 1 cup lean ground beef Vo red bell pepper, seeded and finely Ye tablespoon tomato catsup chopped a feww drops of Worcestershire sauce Ys euyp peas, fiesh or frozen Pp the rice into a saucepan and cover with the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the red bell pepper and peas and cook, uncovered, for 6-7 minutes, or until the tender and there is no liquid lefi Meanwhile, sauté the onion and carrot in a Title vegetable oil for 5 minutes. Add the ground meat and cook, stitring, until browned. Stir in the tomato catsup and Worcestershire sauce and cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes. Chop the meat in a food processor for about 30 seconds to make it easier for your baby to chew: Put the meat into a saucepan, stir in the rice (with the chicken broth), and cook over a gentle heat for 3+ minutes, (jo) 1) is a WORM 107THE HEAL BABY MEAL PLANNER PASTA Salmon and Vegetable Tagliatelle Pasta combines well with fish — use canned or fresh salmon. MAKES 8 PORTIONS OF SAUCE L small carrot Cheese Sauce Ys eup broccoli flores 2 tablespoons butter Yo cup snow peas (trimmed and cut 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour into strips) Ys teaspoon dried mustard Ys eu corn VA cups milk 40 canned salmon, drained Ye cup grated Cheddar cheese Ys tablespoon chopped parsley T tablespoon fieshly grated Parmesan Ce the carrot into small strips. Steam with the broccoli and snow peas until tender crisp. Add the corn and cook for the last 3 minutes. Make the cheese sauce in the usual way (sce page 59). Add the vegetables and salmon, mix with cooked tagliatelle, and sprinkle with Parmesan, Chop finely or coarsely. = 1op finely or coarsely eC RLE Bolognese Sauce with Eggplant Spaghetti (/—¥/1 cup cooked, '/+ Ys cup dry per serving) is a favorite with older babies and toddlers. MAKES 12 PORTIONS OF SAUCE 108 Ge Ae See 1 ciacaieinesgapiecasmmeipeamiamendscniaienaneNINE TO TWELVE MONTHS AACR Se OR Re ae Be 1 eggplant, peeled and sliced 2 cups lean ground beef J medi onion, peeled and chopped T tablespoon tomato paste Y, garlic doce, finely chopped Ys leaspoon oregano regelable ol 1 eup chicken broth (se page 62) J small green bell pepper finely dash of Worcestershire sauce chopped salt utes. prinkle the eggplant with a litle salt and leave to drain for 30 mi Rinse and pat dry. Sauté the onion and garlic in a lite oil for 3 minutes. |Add the green bell pepper and cook for a further 3 minutes. Stir in the meat and cook until browned. Add the tomato paste, oregano, broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil and simmer for 25 minutes. Fry the eggplant slices in a litte oil until golden. Pat dry with paper towels, Chop in the food processor with the cooked meat for about 45 seconds Lal is! Creamy Chicken Pasta Sauce Serve with tagliatelle ('/2 "Ys cup cooked pasta per scrving). MAKES 3 PORTIONS OF SAUCE single boneless chicken breast, 1 tablespoon buater skinned and cut into chunks 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour alittle oil or chicken broth, for cooking 4 eup milk Ys cup broccoli florets Veccup grated Cheddar cheese Que the chicken or poach in broth until cooked through. Steam the broccoli until tender. Mel the butter and stir in the flour. Gradually stir in the milk over a low heat until thickened. Simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly, Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted. ‘Gombine with the chicken and broccoli, chop or purée, and mix with the chopped pasta. PI P ele a] UNAS 109 Ck Dee eA‘THE HEALTHY BABY MEAL PLANNER Risotto with Creamy Mushroom and Cheese Sauce Orzo is the name given to tiny pasta shapes that resemble rice kernels. Tt a is very versatile and a good way of gently introducing more texture into your baby’s lood. ‘This tasty recipe is not only popular with babies of this age but also with older children. If wished, you can add a lite more cheese or sprinkle extra grated Parmesan over the risotto. MAKES 5 PORTIONS Ys eup orzo or risotto rice L tablespoon butter : 1 tablespoon chopped onion 1 tablespoon flour z 1 tablespoon diced red bell pepper Ve cup milk 4 J tablespoon olive vil 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese A cup diced mustavoms lek the or or sotto rice in a pan of boiling water according tothe instructions on the bos, then drain, Meanwhile, sauré the onion and bell pepper in the olive oil for 5 minutes until softened. Add the diced mushrooms and sauté for 2-3 minutes, To make e sauce, melt the butte jute without browning and then gradually whisk in the milk over a medium heat until the sauce thicke . Stir in the grated Parmesan. Mix together the orz0 ot ese sauce, ja q rice with the vegetables and chi } 10 Gao ae am Ree eee OwNINE TO TWELVE MONTHS 8 ANGE ee AA ER NOR ae Oe Pasta Shell Salad This can be made with all sorts of different pasta — animal-shaped pasta is fimn if you can find it! You can vary the basic recipe by adding different vegetables such as corn or red bell pepper: Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet until golden. MAKES 3 BABY OR [ ADULT PORTION GHICKEN SALAD FISH SALAD 1 single cooked chicken breast, chopped 6 oz can tuna or salmon, drained 1 tomato, skinned, seeded, and chopped 2 tablespoons mayonnaise Vs cucumber, copped Ys cup cam 2 tablespoons mayonnaise I tomato, skinned, seeded, and chopped 7 teaspnon tomato catsup T scallion, very finely chopped Ys cup cooked pasta shells Ys eup cooked pasta shells 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional) (optional) hoose chicken or fish salad, Mix all the ingredients together Jexcept for the sesame seeds, which you sprinkle over the top. ele ee aA OWNER 111THE COMPLETE BABY AND ‘TODDLER MBAI, PLANNER, ge eenes ae! aaEw NINE TO TWELVE MONTH MEAL PLANNER . i Breakfast Sleep Lunch . Feu Swiss Mall an Cie esr be Soe on My | eee ae py | Cae 2 | Milk | | . eaaemenoaa = ! c Day | “Greveontorater sera i ‘ a an = py | es : ee manaeat : Summer Fruit Muesti Milk Mask Comspesie ih oe FE satu’ ; au a . = | 1 a: ieee cs t oo s an Secwoege CRUE SR RRM 12 PRR ERROR OMRON OwONOECE:NINE TO TWELVE MONTHS eo mee UU RS EON RY ee A REL e Tea Dinner Bedtime Mina snes ik Finger seetales| i ce Creamy Eggplane Pasta Fi is Rina xu ¥ Zaschian pute wih Teething bi tote chese uve ‘ilk ets and wales ih Leck and Potato Pure ie ‘Creamy Pasta Sauce it ‘fest and Yogurt Gelatin ice . Mik ‘ Flounder with Herbs Finger Sgetles wih lip tk . Apple an Blackberry Vigor ‘ik Je j Fingers of Sole, ewe Vegetables in Cheese Sauce Mik = Setbles a Bd ri seserry Rice Pudding Jee . ‘i Q Popeye Pasta cherubs Couscous Mik Apple pee Fruit and Yogurt Gelatin ‘le Jor and Vegetable Porée Ricoto with Creamy Mushroom, sand heen Sauce Apple pure “Teething hei ie