Winter Baby Food - Warming Up Recipes

Winter is here, and it's just about time for these comforting recipes that will warm your baby up.



Baked Winter Squash - from everything.com

While most finger foods for baby are steamed rather than baked, winter squash is an exception. These hard-shelled members of the gourd family can be steamed or baked. Since winter squash are usually large, consider what to do with leftovers.

Many older children will prefer baked squash (which can be topped with sugar and cinnamon) to the steamed variety, which will be milder in flavor.

2 Servings
1/4 medium winter squash
2 cups water

1. Wash the squash thoroughly. Cut it open and scoop out the seeds.
2. Place face-down in a shallow pan of water. Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes, or until squash is tender, but still slightly firm.
3. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
4. Cut small cubes of squash from the shell, and serve to baby as finger food.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup - from wholesomebabyfood.com

Here is a yummy cauliflower soup recipe suitable for the whole family.

2 tbs butter
1 large onion
2 large potatoes (peeled and cubed)
2 carrots, chopped
2 cups natural chicken broth
1 head cauliflower – chopped
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Melt the butter in a large pot. Stir in the onion and sauté until onion is translucent. Stir in the potatoes and carrots and cook for 10 minutes.

Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil then stir in cauliflower. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer until vegetables are tender, 10 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat.

Puree in batches in a blender or food processor, or in the pot using an immersion blender. Return to low heat and stir in milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Heat through. Serve garnished with parsley.

Baby Christmas Dinner - from New Mummy's Tips

150g minced turkey
½ tsp olive oil
¼ onion – diced
1 small carrot – diced
1 small potato – peeled & diced
½ stick celery – thinly sliced
¼ small swede – peeled & diced
1 tbsp frozen peas
250ml stock made from Boots Baby Organic Chicken Stock Cubes (£1.49 for a six pack)

Brown the turkey. Drain off any liquid and put to one side
Sauté onion in oil
Add carrot, potato, celery and swede, sweat for about 10 minutes
Add stock and peas
Simmer until vegetables are tender
Blend to desired texture

Makes approximately two – three servings.

Photo: ©iStockphoto.com/Fertnig

Mashed Potatoes (Super Easy!)

Boil, steam or bake potatoes until tender.
Mash adding water or milk and stir.
I usually also add a little bit of butter.
Add salt and pepper if you like.

Beef Casserole (Iron Rich Food For Your Baby)

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 small red onion (approx 60g)
1 clove garlic, crushed
Quarter tsp fresh thyme leaves or a pinch of dried thyme
125g lean stewing steak cut into chunks
2 tsp tomato puree
I large sweet potato, approx 225g, peeled and chopped
2 potatoes approx 275g, peeled and chopped
250 ml chicken stock

Method:

Heat the olive oil in a flameproof casserole and sauté the red onion for about 5 minutes over a low heat until softened. Add the garlic and thyme and cook for one minute.
Add the stewing steak and sauté for a few minutes until sealed. Add the tomato puree and sauté for one minute, stirring. Add the sweet potato and potato and pour over the chicken stock.
Bring to the boil and then cover and simmer for about 50 minutes until the meat is tender. You may need to add a little extra stock. Leave to cool slightly, and then blend to a puree.

Source: Annabel Karmel