Corn is such a versatile food. Not only is it amazing on the cob, when it’s added to purees, it has a creamy, starchy quality. The corn in this puree gives it not only a sweet taste, but also a creamy texture.
This recipe can be prepared in minutes and it makes 12 baby servings, so there’s plenty to freeze. Since it has a protein, vegetable and starch it’s a great option when you need to feed baby on the go and don’t feel like lugging three different containers with you.
Corn can be hard to digest, especially for immature tummies. I wouldn’t consider this the best option for a first food, but I’ve been giving this recipe to Kenya since he was 10 months old and he’s never had a problem. By pureeing the mixture, it’s easier to digest.

Chicken, Corn and Cauliflower Puree (12 Baby Servings)

1 Chicken Breast, boneless and skinless
1/2 Cup Cauliflower
1 Cup Corn, fresh cut off the cob or frozen

1. Place the chicken in a steamer pot over boiling water for 4 minutes.
2. Add the cauliflower to the pot and cook for 2 more minutes.
3. Add the corn and continue to cook for 2 minutes or until all the ingredients are cooked through and fork tender.
4. Place ingredients in a food processor and puree. You may need to add some of the water from the pot to make smooth.
5. Cool and serve.

There’s nothing more soothing and medicinal then chicken noodle soup.
But how do you get your baby to slurp up a bowl of Jewish penicillin? I made this for Kenya when he had a cold and poor little guy actually seemed to take a turn for the better.
Chicken is high in iron, which supports a healthy immune system. It also contains the antioxidant zinc, which protects babies against infection.
Studies have shown that chicken soup has properties that slow mucus production during illness. Whether this is true or not, I know tons of parents that want to believe anything in order to help their little one feel well. By no means does your baby have to be sick to enjoy chicken soup with stars. It’s super tasty and freezes beautifully.

Chicken and Stars (Makes 15 Baby Servings, freeze 1/2)

1 Chicken Breast
10 Baby Carrots
1/4 Cup Celery (1 stalk), chopped
1/2 Leek or Onion, chopped
1 Tsp Parsley, chopped
1 Cup Pasta Stars, cooked

1. Place the chicken in a steamer pot over boiling water for 3 minutes.
2. Add the carrots, celery and leek and continue to cook for another 5
minutes or until everything is fork tender and throughly cooked..
3. Place all the ingredients except the pasta in a food processor and
puree. Add water from the pot if needed.
4. Combine with pureed mixture with the pasta.
5. Cool and serve.

I love cooking with tofu. It’s incredibly versatile and is packed with protein, iron, calcium and fatty acids. People all over the world have been eating it for centuries, due in part to its healthful benefits.
Over the past weeks, concerns over tofu in babies’ diet have come up time and again amongst my mommy friends and weelicious readers. After researching the subject, I’ve concluded that like any food for babies, moderation is the key. I give Kenya tofu 4-5 times a week, but only a tablespoon or so. I mix it in different breakfast foods, cut it into bite size pieces for a snack or make this tofu salad.
This recipe is delicious. Creamy and tangy, it’s perfect on a spoon to feed baby or as a spread on a sandwich. When I asked one of my tasters to try it, he exclaimed, “You should just call this recipe “Delicious”!
Even those that turn their noses up at the idea of eating tofu will love this delicious recipe.

Tofu Salad (6 Baby Servings)

1/3 of a Block of Firm Tofu, rinsed and drained
1/2 Cup Celery (1 stalk) , Chopped
8 Baby Carrots
1 Tbsp Veganaise, Mayonnaise or Yogurt
1/2 Tsp Lemon Juice
1/8 Tsp Turmeric
1 Tsp Mustard

I’ve always loved chicken salad. I’m used to the traditional savory kind, but something about the addition of grapes seemed like a delicious idea to me since Kenya loves them on their own.
My friend Diane came over today and said that she normally doesn’t like chicken salad because the pieces of chicken are too big. I couldn’t agree more. By throwing everything in the food processor in combines the ingredients so every bite has a little of everything and a lot more flavor, in my opinion.
This is a great “on the go” dish for little ones because it has a fruit, protein, carbohydrate and vegetable. Just be sure it doesn’t sit out too long because of the mayo (or Veganaise).
“>Veganaise, Mayonnaise or Yogurt
1/2 Tsp Lemon Juice
1/8 Tsp Turmeric
1 Tsp Mustard

1. Wrap tofu in a towel and put something heavy on it — like a
dictionary — for 10 minutes to remove as much water as possible.
2. Place carrots in a steamer pot over boiling water for 3 minutes.
3. Add the celery and continue to cook for 4 minutes or until the
vegetables are fork tender.
4. When the vegetables are cool, place all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until everything is combined and little pieces remain.
5. Serve

This dish reminds me of something you would have on a cool night in Tuscany. Cannelini beans, also known as white beans have a smooth texture and a nutty flavor. Combined with the brown rice, you have a 
complete protein. I’ve been making the adult version of this dish for years. When you 
make this for babies it becomes a creamy puree that — I’ve found — they can’t stop eating. This is one of those dishes that I crave when I think about 
it. This baby version of it is so quick, inexpensive and easy.
 Whether I soak my own beans or open a can of organic ones, I always put aside a few for Kenya to pick up and feed himself. Since they’re nice 
and mushy, it’s easy for babies, even with few teeth, to munch on.

Tuscan White Beans (10 Baby Servings)

1 Cup Kale or Green of your choice
1 Garlic Clove
1 Tbsp Onion, chopped
1/8 Tsp Oregano
1/2 Cup Brown Rice, cooked
1 Cup White Beans, cooked
1/2 Cup Tomato, fresh or canned, chopped

1. Place the kale in a steamer pot over boiling water and cook for 4 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and onion and continue cooking for 6 more minutes.
3. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
4. Cool and serve.

I have to admit that I ripped off the idea for this salad from my friend, Annika. She made a similar version at a birthday party and Kenya gobbled it up. The best part is that you can buy pre-cooked lentils at Trader Joe’s (my favorite) or most supermarkets if you don’t have time to cook your own.
Lentils are a rich source of iron, needed for the production of white blood cells, the lynchpins of your child’s immune system. They’re a great alternative to meat as well as being high in fiber and easy to digest.
Since lentils are so tiny and soft, this recipe is perfect for babies with just a few teeth. Make sure to cut the tomatoes in an appropriate size, depending on your baby’s level of chewing ability. This salad is so beautiful and can quickly be prepared for your baby as well as your family, just by adding a little salt and pepper to taste.

Lentil Salad (6 Baby Servings)

1 Cup Lentils, cooked
1/4 Cup Tomatoes, small dice(I used cherry tomatoes)
1/2 Avocado, small dice
2 Tsp Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Serve.

This weekend we found ourselves (grabbing a much-needed bite) at the cafeteria at the incredible Kidspace Museum and munching away at sub-par food. Looking around the tables, all I saw were parents desperately trying to feed their little ones while they simultaneously attempted to shovel food into their own mouths. Out of the corner of my eye I saw this lovely Japanese woman quietly feeding her baby. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out what she was giving him, but it looked like some sort of white ball in Saran wrap. I shyly walked up to her and asked what she was feeding him. She said, “Oh, it’s Onigiri”. I was still confused. She told me she takes steamed white rice and adds tiny pieces of vegetables and fish for calcium. What a genius idea. All she had to do after making them was wrap them up and it was the perfect meal to travel with for an outing.
I made them for Kenya’s dinner tonight. You should have seen his eyes light up when I put one on his tray. By cooking the rice to make it sticky, he was able to hold it, bite into it and eat the little pieces of rice that stuck to his fingers. I even had a little remaining fish and vegetables in the food processor that he wanted to eat off the spoon. Later my husband came down looking for a snack, popped one in his mouth, and grinned from ear to ear. They’re awfully delicious. He asked me to make him a batch!

Japanese Rice Balls (Makes 15 Balls, depending on the size you make them)

1 Cup Short or Medium Grain White Rice
1 1/5 Cup Water
8 Baby Carrots
1 Cup Broccoli Florets
1 Piece Sole, or any mild white fish

1. Wash 1 cup of rice in a bowl and throw the water out (”washing” rice consists of filling a bowl with rice, covering it with water, rubbing the rice and then immediately dumping the water out).
2. Repeat washing the rice 4 or 5 times throwing the water out.
3. Put the washed rice in a heavy bottomed pot, add 1 1/5 cups of water. Let rice soak for 30 minutes.
4. Put the lid on the pot and bring the rice to a boil for 5 minutes. Change the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered for 15 minutes so it can steam.
5. Stir the rice with a flat spoon so that the rice does not completely stick together.
6. While the rice is cooking, put the carrots in a steamer pot over boiling water for 3 minutes. Add the broccoli and steam for 2 more minutes. Add the fish and steam for another 3 minutes or until everything is cooked through and fork tender.
7. Place the fish and vegetables in a food processor and pulse. Do not puree the mixture, though. You want it to have a little texture, but be dry. No not add extra liquid.
8. Take 1-2 Tablespoons of rice and 1 tsp of the vegetable/fish mixture and combine.
9. With moistened hands, roll into a ball, about the size of a golf ball. Alternatively, you can add all of the vegetable/fish mixture to the rice, but make sure that the mixture isn’t too wet or the balls will fall apart.
10. Serve.

Is it a yam or a sweet potato? How did we start confusing the two? The yam is probably what you’re looking for if you want that sweet tuber that reminds you of sweet potato pie. But if you’re looking for a similar tasting but incredibly healthy alternative for your baby, sweet potatoes are one of the most complete foods. They’re a super source of beta-carotene, and also a good source of magnesium, potassium, Vitamin C and E. When you’re picking them, look at the skin of the potato and choose ones that are deep orange in color. The darker the color the more antioxidants they contain. Antioxidants help your baby’s immune system to combat disease.
Culinarily this recipe seems like an unusual mix of flavors. You’ll be shocked at how the tang of the tomato, the sweetness of the sweet potato and apple and the light herbal tone of the basil create a heavenly dish — in my opinion, one your baby will love.

Chicken and Sweet Potato with Apple (15 Baby Servings)

1 Chicken Breast, boneless and skinless
1/2 Sweet Potato, peeled
1/2 Cup Apple, peeled and chopped
1/2 Cup Tomatoes, peeled and chopped, canned or fresh
1/2 Tsp Basil, fresh

1. Place chicken in a steamer basket over boiling water for 3 minutes.
2. Add sweet potato and apple to the pot and continue steaming for
another 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are
tender.
3. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree. Add water
from the steamer to make smooth.
4. Cool and serve.

It’s been so much fun getting feedback from parents about weelicious. One of the comments I get most often is, “why all the purees? Why aren’t there more healthy recipes that have solids?!” My original concerns about babyfood originated about what to feed my own son when he turned 6 months old. I didn’t want to give him commercial baby food out of a jar, so I came up with my own puree recipes. Now weelicious is about to hit its second phase of recipes, to reflect my own son’s changing palette and will hopefully offer more variety to all of you out there.
As always, I post an original recipe daily and very soon will make Fridays “video day”, where Kenya and I will demonstrate a new recipe for you. So, look forward to tons of new recipes that are geared to your baby as well as your toddler.
The idea from these cilantr “O” s came from a trip to the farmers
market. The smell of cilantro was everywhere and I couldn’t resist buying bunches. But, what to do with it all once I got it home? I love the idea of spaghetti O’s, but really don’t want to feed Kenya mushy pasta from a can. I came up with this healthy version of the canned classic. This dish is fragrant and instead of adding salt I put a big scoop of cottage cheese in to give extra flavor, protein and tang.
I made Cilantr “O”s this weekend and Kenya loved them.

Cilantr “O” s (4-6 Baby Servings)

1 Cup of O Shaped Pasta
1 Cup Cilantro, leaves and stems
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, or more if needed
2 Tbsp Whole Milk Cottage Cheese

1. Cook pasta until tender in boiling water according to package
directions.
2. Drain pasta and let cool.
3. Place cilantro and olive oil in a food processor and puree until
smooth.
4. Place all the ingredients in a bowl to combine.
5. Serve.

Since Kenya started eating solids, whenever he sees an avocado he lets out a little squeal of joy. I can just say the word “avocado” and he will look up at me excited. Even when he’s got a cold or just feels under the weather, few foods sound or look appealing to him, but the avocado is his comfort food.
My husband could happily eat a huge bowl of guacamole breakfast, lunch and dinner and be satisfied. I figured that the apple wouldn’t fall to far from the tree and it didn’t. Both of my boys love this “guac” recipe.
This fruit, yes, avocado is actually a fruit, is an excellent source of unsaturated fatty acids and has a higher proportion of good fat than any other food except olives. Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, including 4% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for vitamin E, 4% vitamin C, 8% folate, 4% fiber, 2% iron, 4% potassium, with 81 micrograms of lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene. All important nutritional building blocks for your baby. Also, did you know that avocados have 60% more potassium then bananas and they’re fiber content is higher than any other fruit? This recipe will be a total winner with your baby.

Baby Guacamole (4 Baby Servings)

1 Avocado
1/2 Tsp Lemon Juice
1/4 of a Tomato, seeded and chopped
1 Tsp Cilantro, chopped

1. Cut the avocado in half. Use a chefs knife to pull the pit out.
2. Scoop the flesh out and place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree.
3. Serve.