The hardest part about making dips that are both flavorful and delicious is that they’re usually packed with mayonnaise and sour cream which are heavenly, but not very healthy — certainly not anywhere as nutritious as a rich avocado, which is a great substitute.
Avocados have the creamiest consistency for making a dip. They’re packed with the antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamins C and E. Even better is that you can add to this recipe virtually any fresh herb you can find. I have cilantro, dill and garlic chives growing like weeds in my garden, so that’s the combination that I used, but now that Kenya seems to want to eat this dip at every meal, next week it could be basil, parsley and tarragon.
No matter what vegetable you are serving, it will be a perfect match with this dip.

Avocado Herb Dip (Makes 1/2 Cup)

1 Avocado, peeled and pitted
2 Tbsp Mayonnaise or Vegannaise
2 Tbsp Plain Yogurt
2 Tbsp Herbs (I used cilantro, dill and garlic chives and a pinch of marjoram, but you could use tarragon, basil, parsley, or anything you enjoy)
1 1/2 Tsp Lemon Juice

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

It’s been really warm in Los Angeles and summer feels like it’s just around the corner. The first tomatoes and zucchini are just popping up at the farmers market and I know corn can’t be far behind. For now I’ve been using frozen corn since you can find it “organic” and it’s super sweet. The flavors in this recipe are so delicate and marry beautifully.
Every week at the market there are two ladies selling fish that smells like it came straight out of the sea. You have to wait in line, what feel like forever, but it’s totally worth it.
Feel free to use any mild white fish you find and think your baby will enjoy.
I threw some basil in and was shocked at how it really gave the dish some extra lovin’. I put this puree together in minutes which is perfect for busy parents.

Halibut and Summer Vegetables (15 Baby Servings)

1 Halibut Fillet (1/4 pound)(You could also try cod, tilapia, snapper or any other white fish)
1/2 Cup or 1 Large Tomato (or use organic canned tomatoes)
1 Zucchini, chopped
1/4 Cup Corn (fresh or frozen)
1 Garlic Clove
1/2 Cup Edamame (frozen)
4 Basil Leaves

1. Place all the ingredients except for the basil in a saucepan over boiling water.
2. Let steam for 6-8 minutes or until fish is fully cooked through and flakes.
3. Place all the ingredients, including the basil, in a food processor.
4. Puree until smooth.
5. Cool and serve.

The name of this recipe sounds like something you would get at a five star restaurant. Sometimes I like to think of my kitchen as Kenya’s gourmet digs and he’s my best customer. Don’t our kids deserve to eat only the finest, freshest food possible?
Our pediatrician had recommended that we wait for 2 years before feeding Kenya nuts. Through my research I found that if you don’t have food allergies in your family, tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, etc..) Should be a good choice (avoid peanuts until age 3). The day after Kenya’s first Birthday, I pulled out the jar of raw almond butter and put a dab on a spoon. I placed the tiniest drop on his lips and waited, praying that he wouldn’t go into anaphylactic shock. Nothing. I gave him a little more. Now he was grabbing at the spoon begging for more.
Nuts are a fantastic source of protein, vitamins and minerals, but if there are any cases of food allergies in your family you may want to wait until your babies is older.
This is one of those fantastic and super easy recipes that makes you look like a gourmet chef. The best part is that you can keep the pesto in the refrigerator all week and add it to pasta, fish and other delicious treats.

Pesto with Chicken and Quinoa (10 Baby Servings with extra Pesto, freeze 1/2)

Quinoa (Makes 1/2 Cup)

1/4 Cup Quinoa
1/2 Cup Water

1. Place both ingredients in a pot.
2. Bring to a boil and immediately cover and simmer
3. Cook for 15 minutes over low heat.
4. Serve.

Pesto (Makes 2 Cups)

3 Cups Basil Leaves, washed
1/2 Cup Pine nuts
1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1 Garlic Clove

1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.

1 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
2 Chicken Skinless Chicken Thighs

1. Add chicken to a steamer basket over boiling water and cook for 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
2. Remove from pot, reserving water in pot.
3. Remove chicken from the bone and cut into pieces.

Pesto with Chicken and Quinoa

1. Put chicken, 1/2 cup quinoa and 3-4 Tablespoons pesto into a food processor and puree until smooth. Add some of the water from the pot to thin.
2. Cool and serve.

Somehow a rich sauce and pasta seemed too heavy for a baby. All I could picture was one of the Sopranos slurping up spaghetti bolognese with noodles dripping all over. Then I remembered my love of tiny letter and number pasta as a kid. It was so much fun making out what all the symbols and shapes were in soup or sauce. Kenya’s still under 1 years old, but he loves everything in bolognese, so why not make a baby version.
While I was making it for him, our friend Dana, the chinese Doctor, was over and wanted to know if she could try it. “Delicious”, she exclaimed. Perfect, now I know what we’re having for dinner. Kenya’s unpureed sauce. Bon Appetito!
*This is a thick sauce, so add more liquid if you want it more thin.

Baby Bolognese (Makes 20 Baby Servings (2 Cups extra for adults)
*You can 1/2 the recipe if just making it for baby

2 Tbsp Onion, diced (about 1/4 onion)
2 Garlic Cloves, chopped fine
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Cup Ground Meat (I used Bison)
1/4 Tsp Dried Basil
1/4 Tsp Dried Oregano
1 16 Ounce Can Chopped Tomatoes
6 Baby Carrots, cut into thin coins
1 Cup Mini Vegetable Pasta, numbers and shapes

1. In a wide skillet, heat oil over medium flame.
2. Saute onion for 3 minutes.
3. Add garlic, meat and herbs. With a spoon breakup meat into smaller pieces.
4. Saute for 6 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
5. Add the tomatoes and carrots.
6. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover for 10 minutes.
7. Remove the lid and continue to simmer until desired thickness of sauce.
8. Puree for baby.
9. In a large pot bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
10. Add pasta, return to a boil and cook for 9-11 minutes.
11. Mix the pasta and pureed sauce.
12. Cool and serve.