The Homemade Baby Food Recipes Blog

If you’ve ever looked at those giant bananas in the store and wondered how on earth to prepare them, then this tasty recipe for your baby will have you well on your way to regularly including plantain in your - and your baby’s - diet.

Plantain is highly nutritious, packed with a range of vitamins and minerals. Unlike their relatives bananas, plantains need to be cooked. You will likely find them in three different colours in the produce aisle, indicating various stages of ripeness…

• Green - these are usually boiled and used in much the same way as potatoes
• Yellow - these are slightly sweet and and add an interesting flavour to baby food purees
• Black - like black bananas, black plantains are very ripe and sweet. They are best used in dessert recipes.

With your doctor’s consent, you may introduce plantain to your baby from 6 months of age - introduce it alone or with other foods that your baby is already safely enjoying to ensure that it does not cause an allergic reaction or digestive problem.

For Baby’s Perfect Plantain and Sweet Potato Puree You Will Need…

1 yellow plantain, peeled and roughly chopped
6 fl oz (3/4 cup) homemade (or low sodium) chicken stock
8oz (1 cup) cooked, mashed sweet potato
2 fl oz (1/4 cup) milk (use breast milk/formula if you prefer)
2 fl oz (1/4 cup) natural yogurt (here’s how to make your own)
1 tbsp unsalted butter
pinch of freshly ground black pepper (optional)
1 tsp chopped fresh parsley

Put the chopped plantain into a saucepan and pour in the chicken broth.
Bring the mixture to the boil, then lower the heat. Simmer for around 10 minutes, until the plantains are fork tender (like cooked potato).
Drain (reserving the broth), then puree in a food processor with the remaining ingredients.
Return to the saucepan and warm through gently.
If the mixture is too thick for your baby, then stir back in some of the reserved chicken broth.
Hey presto - dinner is served! You can also use this as a side dish for the adults (it’s very yummy with a touch of cream added, too!).

Have you introduced plantains to your baby yet? How do you prepare them for your baby food recipes? Please share your ideas and suggestions below!

Tags: plantain, recipes, sweet potato

Baby Shield Child Restraint Systems are being recalled because they do not meet several safety standards set by the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZ1754:2004 Child Restraint Systems for use in Motor Vehicles.

These systems were intended for babies from 9kg to 25kg and were sold from 23 November 2007.

For images of the products involved, details of the defects and advice about how to proceed if you have these restraint systems, please visit http://www.recalls.gov.au

Tags: recalls

Move over mashed bananas - babies these days are enjoying far more sophisticated dishes… and this wonderful baby curry recipe is so delicious that it will be enjoyed by family members young and old!

This recipe does not produce a hot curry - as much as we believe that babies should be introduced to a wide (even exotic) range of ingredients, we’re not suggesting that you add chili or other hot spices to his food when he’s still getting to grips with making the transition from his milk diet!

But an aromatic blend of delicate spices (such as those used here) will simply introduce him to exciting new flavours and help develop his palate - both of which go a long way to preventing fussy feeding later on.

You can read more about introducing your baby to herbs and spices here

This recipe also contains lentils which may cause gas (wind) in some babies (although there are steps you can take to minimize this - find out more here!)

This recipe can be given to your baby from 6/7 months of age, although you may wish to wait until your baby is a little older if you are concerned that any of the ingredients might upset his tummy.

For Baby’s Sweet Potato and Coconut Curry You Will Need…

8 oz (1 cup) red lentils
1 small onion
1 tsp sesame oil
1 medium carrot, peeled and cubed
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
one to one and a half 13.5 fl oz cans coconut milk
8oz (2 cups) broccoli florets, chopped
little pinch of cumin
little pinch of cardamom
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon turmeric

In a large pan, saute the onion in a little olive oil until golden. Stir in the cubed carrots and cook for a further 3 minutes, then stir in the sweet potato and continue to cook for a few more minutes.
Stir in the ginger, sesame oil and the coconut milk and bring the mixture to a rapid simmer, stirring constantly.
Stir in the lentils, broccoli and spices.
Reduce the heat and simmer gently for around 45 mins, stirring in a little more coconut milk (or water) if the mixture becomes too dry.
Serve with cooked rice, or with chapati or roti for babies enjoying finger food!

Would you like to discover MORE curry recipes for your baby?

Then check out…
Indian baby food recipes (7 months+)
Indian baby food recipes (10 months+)

Tags: curry, lentils, recipes, sweet potato

Morrisons is recalling its Bettabuy Beans and Sausages (sold in 425g cans) because they contain breadcrumbs. These breadcrumbs contain both wheat and gluten, neither of which are listed on the label. This means that the product may be hazardous for individuals with wheat allergy/intolerance or gluten intolerance.

All date codes are included in this recall.

If you have this product at home, you can return it to your nearest Morrisons for a full refund.

Source: http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/jul/beans

Tags: recalls

Marks & Spencer is recalling its Reduced Fat Olive Spread (500g) because it contains a milk ingredient, although this is not mentioned on the label. This means that the spread could trigger an allergic reaction in anyone with a milk allergy.

The spread involved in this recall has a ‘Display until’ date of 18 October 2008, a ‘Best before’ date of 1 November 2008 and a ‘Unique product code’ of 0338370.

Please contact your local Marks & Spencer if you have any of the recalled product in your fridge at home.

Tags: recalls

If you’ve bought a new microwave in the past year, then this important recall may apply to you!

LG Microwave Ovens sold from September 2007 are being recalled because there is a possibility of an electric short circuit. If this happens to your oven, then it could deliver an electric shock when in use.

The model numbers affected are MS2346VR and MS2347GR, with serial numbers commencing with the numbers 708 to 802.

If you have one of these ovens then - of course - please don’t use it! Instead, contact the Customer Information Line on 1800 506 154 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and give them your model and serial number. They will then arrange for your oven to be taken for free inspection and repair at an Authorised Service Centre.

Source: http://www.recalls.gov.au/view_recall_detail.php?Recall_ID_Auto=15764

Tags: recalls

We received a message today from Laura in the UK, asking if it is OK to give leeks to her little boy (age 6 1/2 months) .

We’ve published our reply here, just in case YOU may have a similar question!

“Leeks are a wonderful source of nutrition - high in folates, vitamin C, iron and potassium. The green parts also provide your baby with beta-carotene (fruits and veggies don’t HAVE to be orange in order to contain beta-carotene - some green veggies contain it, too).

Leeks are not highly allergenic (although you should always look for signs of allergic reaction with ANY new food and you should not introduce other new foods at the same time as introducing leeks). However, they MAY lead to wind (or gas) in some babies… and in some grown ups, too!

There are no set guidelines as to the introduction of leeks into the diet. Our baby food recipes contained leeks from 6 months of age with no unwelcome side effects - in fact, our little ones loved the delicate ‘onion-y’ taste that leeks brought to their meals.

Some parents, however, choose to wait until a little later in their babies’ first year to introduce leeks and this is to be recommended if your little man is prone to gas (wind).

Leeks may be sauted, then added to other recipes (in much the same way as onions) - or you can try our recipe below to make a tasty leek puree. This recipe was, in fact, a favourite with our babies - but do try adding a little leek to other recipes (to check how your baby reacts to it) before serving leeks in the larger quantity required for THIS recipe.

LEEK PUREE WITH FRESH HERBS

1 tbsp butter
2 medium leeks
4oz (1/2 cup) white potato, peeled and cubed
4 fl oz (1/2 cup) homemade chicken or vegetable stock
1 tbsp natural yogurt
1/2 tsp fresh dill
1/2 tsp fresh basil
1/2 tsp fresh chives

Remove the tough, outer leaves from the leeks, cut off the root and trim the other end.
Cut the leeks in half lengthwise and swirl them around in a bowl of cold water to clean them.
Chop the leeks (including the tender green leaves), then saute them in the butter for a few minutes.
Stir in the cubed potatoes.
Add the stock and fresh herbs, then bring to the boil.
Lower the hear and simmer (covered) for around 15 mins, until the potatoes are done).
Drain the mixture (saving the cooking liquid), then puree the vegetables until smooth.
Add back enough of the cooking liquid to create the perfect consistency for your baby, then stir in the natural yogurt.
Serve - either alone, or as a side dish with meat for older babies.

VARIATIONS: Try substituting sweet potato or butternut squash for the white potato for a different - but equally delicious - flavour!

NOTE: Leeks may also be steamed or roasted, but we do not recommend boiling them for baby as - in addition to some nutrient loss - the leeks may become quite waterlogged and tasteless.”

Does YOUR baby enjoy the flavour of leeks - or do you have any leek baby food recipes you’d like to share with other readers? Did YOU introduce leeks to your baby - only to find that they gave him gas?

Please share your comments and suggestions below!

Tags: leeks, recipes

More and more parents are switching to glass bottles for their babies’ milk - chiefly due to concerns over the use of questionable chemicals in the production of plastic bottles.

Traditional glass bottles are great - but, being glass - do need to be treated with a little more care than regular plastic bottles. This can pose a particular challenge when traveling with baby, when several glass bottles are placed in a bag and may then rattle around together, potentially leading to breakage.

However, there IS a solution - and that’s the innovative
siliskin Glass Bottle from silikids!

siliskin bottles use the Evenflo Classic Clear glass nurser, which is encased in a silikids silicone sleeve. This sleeve gives the bottle an more tactile surface then regular glass (making it easier for your little one to hold), but it also works as a protective ‘barrier’ - preventing the bottles from bashing together when stored in a diaper or bottle bag!

siliskin bottles can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher or warmed in the microwave - and the silicone sleeve itself is translucent, so you can still see measurements and the remaining liquid in the bottle very easily.

siliskin Glass Bottles are available in the US, in either 4oz or 8oz sizes and in a variety of colors.

Tags: product reviews, travel

This week, we posted about the possible advantages of using FROZEN veggies and fruits in your baby food recipes (if you missed the post, you can read our frozen produce article here).

If you’re now wondering about whether or not it is safe to use CANNED (or tinned) fruits and veggies in your baby food recipes, then you’ll find today’s new article very helpful!

On our Making Baby Food with Canned Fruits and Vegetables page, we look at the pros and cons of including canned produce in your little one’s menu - and suggest some great ways of maximizing its nutrients if you choose to do so!

Tags: canned veggies, tinned fruits and veggies

The CPSC has released details of more kids’ jewelry and toys found to contain too much lead.

We have listed the affected products below - click on the link if you have any of the items involved, to visit the relevant page on the CPSC website for more information.

Children’s Necklaces with Ballet Shoes Charms

Children’s Charm Craft Kits

“Faded Glory” Lip Gloss, Locket, and Bracelet Sets

Tags: recalls