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.

Fish is such a wonderful protein for babies, but most parents are intimidated to cook it for their little ones. Even as a child, the only time we had fish, it was cooked under the broiler and stunk up the whole house (sorry Mom)! Most white fish have a mellow flavor and can be easily paired with other flavors.
While shopping at the Farmers Market I asked our local “fish ladies” (as I call them) if they had anything mild for Kenya. One of the fish ladies, with her big hair, gigantic smile and pearly whites, said how about the Hawaiian Silver Snapper?! The name sounded so luxurious and exotic. I looked over at my 13 month old and thought, nothing’s to good for my little guy.
Going with the Hawaiian theme, I came up with flavors I enjoyed from past trips to the tropical paradise. Pineapple, rich in vitamin C, ginger, brown rice and just a hint of sesame oil.
We took Kenya to Hawaii last year when he was 4 months and he could only eye the fresh fruits and fish on Mommy’s plate. Finally, I can bring the idea of being in the Islands to his tummy.

*I usually make a smaller amount of this dish since it will only stay fresh in the refrigerator for a few days. Freeze whatever is left over. For more tips, checking the “freezing“.

Hawaiian Silver Snapper (8 Baby Servings)

1/2 lb. Snapper (any mild white fish will work)
1 Tsp Fresh Ginger, peeled and sliced into 2 thin coins
1/2 Cup Brown Rice, cooked
1/2 Tsp Sesame Oil

1. Place ginger in a steamer pot over boiling water and cook for 2 minutes.
2. Add the fish to the pot and cook 4 more minutes or until cooked through.
3. Place all the ingredients in a food processor (make sure there are no bones in the fish) and puree until smooth.
4. Cool and serve.

Every other morning Kenya and I go through the same routine.
I sit him in his “Lazy-Boy” highchair, strap him in, place his bib around his neck, put his spoon and bowl on his tray and I prepare his breakfast. I show him item number one, usually yogurt with a scoop of fruit puree. He looks at me and presses his lips shut. Basically his way of saying “no way, try again”. Next I show him oaty-protein mash or some other new creation. Again, same reaction.
He looks at me like I’m totally crazy for suggesting that he try one of these dishes before giving him his beloved. I tilt my favorite tiny bowl (I got it on my honeymoon in Italy) which he automatically recognizes towards him and he squeals with such delight you would have thought it was a 10 scoop sundae. No, it’s just his little favorite gem, an egg yolk.
Egg yolks are a fantastic source of vitamin A and iron for babies. I boil a half dozen once a week and keep them in the fridge. This way all I have to do is crack, peel, mash and serve. Who knew this little golden ball could cause such a big smile on a babies face.

*Babies under the age of one should not try egg whites because of
possible allergies. But don’t throw the whites away! I usually pop them in my mouth right then and there or give them to my husband as a healthy morning protein boost.
*You can start giving this recipe to baby around 9 months of age.Egg Yolk (1 Baby Serving)

1 Egg, fully cooked
1 Tsp Water

1. Crack and peel egg.
2. Separate the cooked egg white from the yolk (parents can eat the egg white for a protein boost which you’ll probably need at this early hour).
3. Place the egg yolk in a bowl.
4. Mash with a fork and add water until it makes a thick paste.
5. Serve.

Hard cooked eggs

*This method creates an egg that is fully cooked but still silky, not dry, overcooked and easy to mash

4-6 eggs, any size, white or brown will do

1. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water.
2. Bring water to a boil.
3. Turn off stove and let rest for 10 minutes.
4. Remove hot water from eggs and cover with cool water until eggs are room temperature.

Since weelicious launched, the funniest comment I’ve heard was “I love the recipes, but some of them look regurgitated”. Come on now, they’re purees, what do you expect? We were all babies once and we all ate soft and silky purees.
I can only imagine the comments I’ll hear after posting this recipe, but trust me, it’s delicious and nutritious. Kenya didn’t miss a beat when I fed it to him for the first time.
Greens are essential for babies and toddlers, especially broccoli and spinach which are high in beta-carotene, folic acid, iron and vitamin C. By steaming instead of boiling the vegetables, you save over 1/2 the water soluble vitamins that you would lose by submerging them in hot water.

Broccoli & Spinach Puree (10 Baby Servings)

1 Cup Broccoli, florets and stems peeled
2 Cups Spinach, packed or 16 ounce bag frozen

1. Put broccoli in a steamer pot over boiling water for 2 minutes.
2. Add spinach and cook another 2-3 minutes or until broccoli is fork tender.
3. Put ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
4. Cool and serve.

This weekend Kenya and I went to the farmers market alone. It was easy when he was a baby because I could just throw him in the sling and off I went. It’s not exactly the same story now that he’s 26 pounds and interested in everything. Luckily my friend who makes the bubsnug slings, showed me how to put him on my hip while wearing the sling. Kenya acted like the king of the market while I pushed our cart and gathered our provisions for the week. The farmers gave him raw mushrooms, sugar snap peas and kumquats which he chowed on (then drooled all over my shoulder) while we shopped.
While there, we bought beautiful white rose potatoes. They’re long and slender with a creamy texture when pureed. You can even leave the thin skin on for extra fiber.
Kale is a powerhouse of nutrition. It’s packed full of vitamin C and beta-carotene which are important anti-oxidants for a healthy immune system. The calcium in kale also makes it an important source for children who are vegan or vegetarian. Since kale can have a strong taste on its own, I added it to this silky potato puree. While I was making it I realized it needed an added oomph…so I shredded in some low sodium cheddar cheese (you could also try soy cheese) which gives it a little tang and adds extra calcium and protein.

Potato, Kale & Cheese Puree (10-12 Baby Servings)

2 Large White Rose Potatoes, chopped (you could also use russet or Yukon gold)
1 Cup Kale, chopped
2 Tbsp Whole Milk, you could also substitute the water remaining in the steamer pot
2 Tbsp Mild Cheddar Cheese, shredded

1. Put potatoes in a steamer pot over boiling water and cook for 6 minutes.
2. Add the kale and continue cooking 4 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
3. In a food processor puree all the ingredients until smooth. You can add more water from the bottom of the steamer pot if necessary.
* I like to make this puree thinner then you might expect. After it cools and is refrigerated, it tend to firm up a bit. This way it won’t be too thick and difficult for baby to eat.
4. Cool and serve.

So here’s one of those posts I feel a bit guilty about writing since I’m all about the farmers market and eating what’s fresh and in season. I started preparing this recipe and had bought the most gorgeous, already pre-shelled peas at the market. I was so excited to steam them and pop them in my mouth like candy. I bit into one waiting for a sweet explosion and instead got a bland mealy taste. Luckily I had a bag of frozen sweet peas in the freezer that were the perfect substitute.
I like fresh vegetables as much as anyone, but when you need something easy and full of flavor, frozen peas are a godsend.
This puree is a vegetarians dream. Packed with protein from the garbanzo beans and tahini, there are so many flavors for baby to explore. This is the first time I’ve given Kenya parsley which also seemed to be a hit.
The best part was watching Kenya trying to grab at the spoon as I fed him. I always give him his own wooden spoon to hold while he eats (so that he’s part of the process) and this time I put some of the hummus on his. Since it’s a little sticky, it held on to his spoon as we waved it around and he was able to get several bites in his mouth.
This was a big step for the little guy.

Fresh Pea Hummus (15 Baby Food Servings)

1 Cup Peas, fresh or frozen
1 Cup Garbanzo Beans
1 Tbsp Parsley, chopped
1/4 Cup Whole Milk Yogurt
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Tahini

1. Put peas in a steamer over boiling water for 2 minutes if frozen,
4-5 if fresh.
2. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
3. Serve.

This past weekend I went to the farmers market and gorgeous pencil asparagus were everywhere. Asparagus aren’t one of those vegetables that you naturally think of giving to a baby. I was struggling to think of a recipe, then last night my husband said, “Let’s have stir fry for dinner”.
The ingredients in a stir fry lend themselves to the flavors that marry beautifully in baby food. I will say that it was tough leaving out the soy sauce, but young babies still don’t need the extra sodium in their diet.
When I pulled the lid off the food processor the sesame aroma leapt out at me and I guess Kenya too, since he was screaming, and I mean SCREAMING for a bite. He only mumbles a few words, but “mmmm..,” kept coming out as he ate bite after bite. I’ll take that as a compliment.

Chicken “Stir fry” Puree (makes 12 baby servings, freeze 1/2)

1 Chicken Breast
1 Tsp Fresh Ginger, peeled, chopped or sliced into 2 coins)
1 Garlic Clove
2 Tbsp Onion, chopped
3/4 Cup Broccoli, peeled, stem and florets (or frozen)
1/2 Asparagus, bottoms trimmed and chopped
1 Tbsp Tahini
1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds

1. Put chicken in a steamer pot over boiling water and cook for 4 minutes.
2. Add ginger, garlic, onion, broccoli and asparagus and continue steaming another 4 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are fork tender.
3. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree. Add some of the water from the steamer pot to make smooth.
4. Cool and Serve.

This recipe was thrown together by default. There were very few ingredients in the fridge and Kenya had to eat.
I always recommend that you keep a little garden of herbs growing (if your weather permits) so you can trim a few pieces off at times like this to jazz up a recipe, even if it’s just for baby. Or maybe I should say, especially if it’s for your baby. I feel like we don’t give kids enough credit when it comes to flavors they will enjoy. In this recipe, I used the leaves and stems. When steamed, cilantro loses some of its potency, which is nice in order to mellow it out for babies new palate. The chicken’s flavor, mixed with the sweetness of the corn and spiciness of the cilantro made this a winner with Kenya.

Chicken and Corn with Cilantro (12 Baby Servings)

1 Chicken Breast
1 Cup Chicken Broth or Water
2 Tbsp Onion, sliced
1 Garlic Clove
2 Tbsp Cilantro, stem and leaves
1/4 Cup Corn, fresh or frozen
1/2 Cups Brown Rice, Steamed

1. Place all the ingredients, except the rice and corn, in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer, cover.
3. Steam ingredients for 5 minutes.
4. Add the corn and continue to steam for 3 more minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
5. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree. Add broth as needed to make puree smooth.
6. Cool and Serve.

Garam Marsala has one of those fabulous, exotic names that scare most people off when they see it in the spice aisle. It’s actually a mix of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, black pepper and coriander. This dish has a mix of protein, vegetables a starch and is vegetarian. You don’t need to add very much garam marsala which gives it a little kick and smells incredible.
I’m usually a stickler for farmers market fresh, but let’s be honest, not everyone has the option of keeping seasonal produce in the fridge at all times. Most of the items in this recipe can be canned or frozen.
I find canned organic tomatoes and beans to be a saving grace. They’re soft and the tomatoes have added juice which is nice when you’re thinning a puree. It’s not ideal, but when tomatoes are out of season, it’s a perfect time saving option.

Garbanzo Beans with Garam Marsala (12 Baby Servings, freeze 1/2)

1/2 Cup Cauliflower
1/4 Cup Peas (fresh or frozen)
1 Cup Brown Rice, steamed
1 Cup Garbanzo Beans, rinsed and drained(canned or fresh that have been soaked overnight and cooked)
1 Cup Tomatoes, chopped, canned or fresh
1/2 Tsp Garam Marsala

1. Add cauliflower to a steamer basket over boiling water.
2. Cover and cook for 3 minutes.
3. Add the peas and cook for a total of 5 minutes or until cauliflower is fork tender.
4. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
5. Cool and serve.