Domestic...disturbance?

Oh, just kidding. Not in the way that you're probably thinking. Nope, I'm not talking about a vase-chucking (or apple-chucking...), crazy, all-out psycho husband-and-wife spat. What I'm actually referring to is the fact that I have had my culinary curiosity return in the form of creative (and tasty) baby food making spurts. Call it a disturbance of my regularly scheduled domestic duties. I have really been enjoying making meals for Sprout, even when they stem into day-long sessions of steaming and blending...and chilling...and freezing...and transferring frozen cubes to labelled Ziploc bags. Whew. Even that sentence was exhausting.

So while I may not be feeding myself the most nutritious meals all the time, I certainly have discovered that I have the knack for whipping up some delicious treats for my wee one. I have chosen to share three of the "recipes" (I don't usually cook with a recipe, but I've been asked enough times that I have written out a rough guideline of sorts) that Sprout has enjoyed the most, starting with two MEATY dishes. Meat is the hardest thing to get kids to like, usually, and Sprout was a champ at gagging on simple pureed chicken and beef, so these recipes incorporate a couple of tastier additions that actually help to make the food a little smoother. If your baby has a texture aversion, this might help a little. Enjoy cooking, bon appetit to your little ones, and I hope you enjoy your mini-culinary adventuring.

Sweet Sweet Steak (Slow-cooker)

1 round steak, fat trimmed off

2 medium sized sweet potatoes

1 cup green beans

2 cups water

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp freeze-dried garlic or garlic powder (optional)

Place sweet potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker; put whole steak and green beans on top. Add water, bay leaf, and garlic. Cover and cook for 10 hours on low, checking the water level occasionally. Allow to cool, and puree/blend to the texture of your choice. Serve warm, or chill for a few hours prior to freezing. Can be stored frozen for up to 3 months.

**I have found that the food processor worked best on this one, and on all beef recipes. A handheld food mill is also great when babies can start eating a little chunkier food.**

Chicken In Disguise

2 chicken breasts, defrosted and cut into chunks

2 apples (whatever kind you like), sliced & cored

5-6 large carrots, washed and cut into chunks (you can peel them if you like, I just give them a little scrub)

1/2-1 cup of water

Pinch of dried rosemary and/or thyme

Place all of the ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover and reduce heat to low. Allow to simmer until chicken is tender enough to break down slightly on its own (usually about an hour). Can be pureed while hot if you are using an immersion blender; otherwise, allow to cool slightly before pureeing in a blender or food processor. Serve warm, or chill for a few hours prior to freezing. Can be stored frozen for up to 3 months.

Sprout's Favourite Breakfast

1 can coconut milk

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup oatmeal (either ground or not, up to you)

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 tsp cinnamon (if you're doing spices)

2-3 apples or pears, cored and diced (skin on/off, again up to you - I leave the skin on)

Put the coconut milk, water, and oatmeal into a saucepan and bring just to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and add fruit and cinnamon (if using), then cover and simmer until fruit is soft enough to be mashed with a fork. Puree or blend to a texture you are comfortable with. Serve warm, or chill for a few hours prior to freezing. Can be kept frozen for up to 3 months.

You may have to adjust the measurements accordingly...I kind of just wing it, so I tried to narrow it down! You may use more/less water and more/less oatmeal, but the coconut milk is always one can, and the fruit measurements are pretty accurate. I have done this recipe with apples, pears, figs, blueberries, and mangoes, and Sprout seems to LOVE anything made with oatmeal and coconut milk - and I have to admit, I couldn't help but take spoonfuls of the blueberry batch - YUM!

For now, it's off to dreamland for Mommy, Sprout. Time to get some shut-eye and dream up a few new recipes. The neighbour said she made ratatouille for her little guy. Maybe we'll be adventurous and give it a whirl! Get ready for some more new tasty treats. It won't be as bad as the curried sweet potatoes or roasted beets, I promise.

xoxoxo

Mommy