One of the biggest culinary hits that I’ve made for Kenya so far is pesto. 
I’m not only talking about the traditional pesto made with basil, 
though. I’m talking about all different kinds like cilantro, parsley and now my new favorite, 
spinach. This recipe is bright green in color and since I added tofu, 
it has an even creamier texture then the traditional variety.
Spinach is rich in the antioxidants vitamin C, iron and beta-carotene. 
Since it can have a strong taste when cooked, this raw, pureed version 
takes on a delicate almost sweet flavor.
I mixed most of it into pasta and then with the remainder, I covered 2 
salmon fillets and baked them, one for me and one for Kenya, so 
everyone was happy.


Spinach Pesto (Makes 3/4 Cup Pesto)

1 Cup Spinach, packed
1/4 Cup Walnuts
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbsp Tofu, silken
1 Small Garlic Clove
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
2 Cups Pasta, cooked

1. Place all the ingredients, except for the pasta, in a food processor and puree until smooth.
2. Mix with pasta and serve.

*Place in ice cubes and freeze, transfer to a ziploc bag, label and freeze. When ready, toss in hot pasta to defrost or defrost in fridge for 24 hours.

We used these to make this recipe:

Cuisinart DLC-2 Mini Prep Plus Food Processor

Long before that animated rat put it back on the map, my grandmother used to make the most mouthwatering ratatouille. I know that 
when she made it, she imagined as if she had been whisked off to the 
south of France to prepare it. Now, whenever I see bell pepper, zucchini or eggplant, 
it’s the first dish that comes to mind. Granted my grandmother’s version was delicious, but 
the cup of oil she used in her recipe would give it an orange hue and make it not so healthy.
 This baby version of ratatouille is not only healthy, it uses 6 main ingredients, all of which are in season right now at the farmers market. The vegetables 
in the dish are so vibrant and colorful, you know upon first sight that it has to be full of 
vitamins and minerals.
Did you know that weight for weight, bell 
peppers have more vitamin C then oranges? And tomatoes are 
actually a fruit, packed full of 
antioxidant vitamins which help protect your little ones immune system 
by fighting off harmful free radicals. These facts alone are just two reasons 
why a ratatouille a day keeps the doctor away

Ratatouille (Makes 8 Baby/Toddler Servings)

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/3 Cup Onion, chopped in bite size pieces
1 Garlic Clove, finely chopped
1/3 Cup Zucchini, chopped in bite size pieces
1/3 Cup Eggplant, chopped in bite size pieces
1/3 Cup Red, Orange or Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped in bite size pieces
1/2 Cup Tomatoes, chopped in bites size pieces (I like to use canned organic tomatoes)
1 Tsp. Parsley, chopped fine

*If you’re short on time, you could pulse all the vegetables into bite size pieces in a food processor instead of chopping them by hand

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
2. Add the onions and lightly saute for 2 minutes (make sure not to brown them).
3. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
4. Add the remaining vegetables and saute for one minute, uncovered.
5. Cover and cook for 6-8 minutes.
6. Add the parsley and continue to cook uncovered for one more minute. Make sure all of the vegetables are cooked through and fork tender.
6. Cool and serve.

These baby-frittatas are so cute I want to squeeze them like I squeeze Kenya’s tushy! These fritattas are not only petite and cute, but they’re also delicious. There were several adults over when 
I made them and we left Kenya with only 2. Good thing they were so 
fast and easy to make, so I could easily whip together another batch. Even better is that every baby-frittata has a protein from the egg, two vegetables and a dairy.
Asparagus is a nutrient-dense vegetable high in folic acid and also a good source of fiber. Besides their beautiful bright green color, in my experience, wee ones love them. With the addition of parmesan to add a salty flavor and sun dried tomatoes to add a little tang, these baby-frittatas will be a hit with 
everyone in the family. You could even serve them at a party for hors d’oeuvres.

Baby Frittatas (Makes 12 Baby Frittatas)

3 Large Eggs
2 Tbsp Milk
2 Tbsp Parmesan, grated
1/4 Cup Asparagus, diced
3 Sun Dried Tomatoes, packed in oil and diced

1. Preheat the oven 375 degrees.
2. Spray or grease mini muffin tins with oil or butter.
3. Whisk the eggs and milk together. Add the cheese, tomatoes and
vegetables.
4. Add a heaping tablespoon of egg/vegetable mixture to each muffin cup.
5. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
6. Cool and serve.

We used these to make this recipe:

KitchenAid Precision 24-cup Mini Muffin Pan

I can’t tell you how many people tell me they love fish, but have absolutely no idea how to cook it. My friend told me it’s so intimidating, that she does a drive-by at the seafood counter, but hangs her head in shame for not knowing what to do with it, and just passes it by.
Au contraire… fish is SO easy. This recipe really isn’t even a recipe. It’s one ingredient. That’s it. Just fish.
Salmon is a great fish for babies. It’s incredibly rich in vitamins A, B12, D as well as the mineral selenium, and it is an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. They’re called “essential” because the body can’t manufacture them, so they have to be acquired through diet, and it’s important that your baby is getting them (say why it is important). Salmon was one of the first proteins that I gave Kenya and he loved it. Not only could he hold it in his little hand, but he ate it so quickly, I couldn’t make enough. I don’t think I started eating salmon until I was in my 20′s!
Although it’s almost double the price of farm raised fish, I buy Kenya wild salmon. Wholefoods, Trader Joe’s and other high quality markets regularly have it in stock. With all the unknowns about contamination in our waters, I think it’s worth the extra price. I also steam other types of fish for this recipe such as cod, snapper, tilapia and whitefish. Try to stay away from tuna, mackerel and swordfish which are high in mercury. When in doubt, ask your fish monger. They can usually give you great suggestions.

Simple Salmon (1-2 baby/toddler servings)



1/4 Lb. Salmon (or other fish of your choice)
 


1. Place the salmon in a steamer pot over boiling water.
2. Steam for 5 minutes or until fish is cooked through and flakey.
3. Cool, break into bite size pieces (removing any small bones) and serve.


* Make sure to check that the pieces you offer your little one don’t have any bones, I usually wait until it’s cooked to do this because it’s easier to find them.

I can’t stop buying cherimoyas….wait, do you know what a cherimoya is? I didn’t until recently and I’m so happy we found each other. A cherimoya is a fruit that Mark Twain called “the most delicious fruit known to man”. So, as I said, I can’t stop buying them and wanting to mix them with every
 fruit to make purees for Kenya. I got one at the Santa Monica Farmers
 market yesterday that was so ripe and sweet, I couldn’t resist buying it. Now
 that peaches are in season and finally starting to pop up again at the market, I feel like
 summer’s bounty of fruit is finally here.
Cherimoyas are high in fiber, iron and niacin. Make sure to pick ones
 that are soft when you give them a light squeeze, a good sign that
 they’re ripe. You can cut them into 6-8 pieces, pick out and throw
 away the big black seeds and then pull away the flesh from the skin
 which you can feed to your baby straight or puree.
Peaches are high in potassium, vitamin A and C. When they’re soft and
 ripe there is nothing like it. I waited until the peaches were very ripe,
 peeled them and then pureed them with cherimoya. I’m not exaggerating
 when I tell you that Kenya ate the entire bowl of puree that I made
 for this recipe (do you get the sense my son eats everything?!)

Peach & Cherimoya Puree (2-3 baby servings, unless your baby is like Kenya and eats the entire puree in one sitting)

1 Peach, peeled, pitted and chopped
1 Cherimoya, seeds removed, and peeled

1. Place both ingredients in the food processor and puree.
2. Serve

*Place in Baby Cubes and freeze.

We used these to make this recipe:

Cuisinart DLC-2 Mini Prep Plus Food Processor

I’ve always loved chicken salad. I’m used to the traditional kind — chicken, celery, mayo — but I thought I could come up with a healthy and more exciting version for Kenya. Something about the addition of grapes seemed like a delicious idea to me since Kenya loves them on their own, so why not in this recipe?!
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. You want to be able to take a bite and enjoy all of the tastes, not just chicken. By throwing everything in the food processor, it 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, carb and vegetable. Just be sure it doesn’t sit out too long because of the mayo (or Veganaise).

Chicken, Wild Rice and Grape Salad (8 Toddler Servings)

1 Chicken Breast
1/2 Cup Celery , chopped
1/2 Cup Grapes, halved, red and/or green
1 Tsp Lemon Juice
1 1/2 Tbsp Mayonnaise or Veganaise
1/2 Cup Wild Rice, cooked

1. Cook the chicken in a steamer pot over boiling water for 8 minutes. Cool and chop.
2. Place all of the ingredients except the rice in a food processor and pulse. Everything should be combined and in tiny pieces.
3. Throughly combine the chicken mixture with the rice and serve.

Kenya usually loves beans in any form, but for some reason when I gave him whole cannelini beans, he didn’t want to eat them. I tried several times, but no go and I didn’t want to throw them out so I came up with this puree.
Recently, I turned the sunny side of our yard into my own little garden.
This time of year, the herbs are growing like weeds, so I try to use them in as many of our dishes as possible. For this puree I added basil and a touch of mint. If you don’t have the mint, no worries, it will still be delicious.
Herbs have tons of vitamins and minerals and medicinal properties making them important for baby’s nutrition. They’re also great substitutes for salt and heighten your baby’s palate and taste buds. I guarantee you’ll be shocked at how a pinch of cilantro, oregano, thyme or any other herb can brighten a dish for you and your baby.

Cannelini Bean Puree (6 Baby Servings)

1 Cup Cannelini Beans, cooked
1/4 Cup Red Bell Pepper, chopped (you could also use orange or yellow)
1 Tsp Mint
2 Tsp Cilantro

1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree.
2. Serve.

*Place in Baby Cubes and freeze.

We used these to make this recipe:

Cuisinart DLC-2 Mini Prep Plus Food Processor

Last Sunday I ran into my friend Leslie at the farmers market. We started talking about weelicious and a recipe that she had come up with for her adorable son, August. She said that the rice ball recipe I had made for the website inspired her to try a polenta version. She took me through how she did it and I thought it was a genius and healthy idea. I changed it up a bit, but so can you. Feel free to use greens instead of broccoli or cheddar instead of Monterrey jack. This is a perfect recipe to improvise on. Also, if your little one isn’t ready for bites yet, you can do a pureed version.
Trader Joe’s (to the rescue, again) sells organic polenta packaged in an 18 oz. tube, which is a huge time saver. Since it’s also gluten free, it’s a perfect option for little ones with allergies. You only need half of the tube for this recipe, so you could take the leftover portion and pan sear slices for your dinner and serve it with some fresh tomato sauce and cheese.
Kenya loved popping these little bites in his mouth!

Polenta Bites (makes 30-40 “bites” or 2 cups of puree)

1 Cup Broccoli, florets
1/4 Cup Red Bell Pepper, chopped
1/4 Cup Tofu, chopped
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Monterrey Jack Cheese, shredded
2 Tbsp Parmesan
1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 Tsp Italian Herbs
1/2 Tube (9 oz) Polenta

*You can also use 1 cup of fresh polenta

1. Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the
vegetables and tofu and saute for 3 minutes. Cover the pan and steam for
2 more minutes or until broccoli is fork tender.
2. Place the sauteed ingredients, cheese and herbs in a food processor
and pulse until everything is combined, but tiny pieces remain.
3. In a bowl mix the polenta with the vegetable/tofu mixture and roll
into bite size balls.
4. Serve.

As you may be able to tell from weelicious, I’m a huge fan of 
potatoes. They’re inexpensive and nutritious, and babies and toddlers, in 
my experience, love them.
When I was little, potato salad was one of 
my favorite foods. It’s really easy to make and even more delicious to eat. Potatoes are a great staple food because they’re packed with fiber, 
potassium, vitamins B6 and C. 
At our local farmers market, there is a stand that sells all kinds of 
different potatoes year-round. Blue, white rose, yukon gold, you name 
it, they have it. I thought it would be fun to make a salad with different color tubers. The eye appeal of food can be a big selling 
point for little ones and this colorful treat is a hit in my house.

Blue and White Potato Salad (6 Toddler Servings)

1 Blue Potato, cubed
1 White or Yellow Potato, cubed
1 Tbsp Yogurt
1 Tbsp Vegannaise or mayonnaise
1 Tsp Dill, chopped

1. Place the potatoes in a steamer pot over boiling water and cook for
3-4 minutes or until fork tender.
2. Mix the yogurt, vegannaise and dill in a bowl.
3. Once the potato had cooled, place them in a bowl and add the yogurt
sauce.
4. Serve.

After coming home from the farmer’s market Sunday morning, exhausted from a long weekend, I had to cook something quick and nutritious for Kenya’s dinner. Believe it or not, my husband came up with this combination. The man loves a lemon (especially if it’s a Meyer lemon which is a little sweeter) and since he’s my best tester and loves to influence Kenya’s palate, I give him props for coming up with this delicious recipe.
It took me minutes to prepare and it makes several meals to serve and a few more to freeze. This dish represents all the delicious flavors that we found at the Sunday market.

Lemon Chicken and Vegetables (10 Baby/Toddler Servings)

1 Chicken Breast
1 Cup Broccoli Florets
1/2 Cup Yellow Squash, chopped
1Tsp Lemon Juice
1Tsp Vegit

1. Cook the chicken breast in a steamer pot over boiling water for 4 minutes.
2. Add the broccoli and yellow squash and steam an additional 4 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are fork tender.
3. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse.*
4. Cool and serve.

*It’s nice to keep this dish a little chunky if you’re serving it to a
little one with a few teeth.