I’m always shocked to find out how many people know of and adore noodle 
kugel. I only tried it for the first time recently, but when I shared 
my feelings about how much I loved it with friends, I got some pretty darn 
passionate responses about what a recipe for noodle kugel MUST include. The variations made my head spin. Some people said nuts were a must. Others cited raisins, cinnamon and all kinds of other additions.
When I was originally doing research on kugels and their history, I 
was shocked to find that most recipes called for a cup or more sugar. That much 
sugar would send me into outer-space, so I can only imagine what it 
would do to our kids.
My version is a much healthier toddler-and-family-friendly recipe that 
you could eat as a side dish or even for dessert! After it comes out of the 
oven, cut it into squares and take a bite of the soft, tender, creamy 
noodles perfumed with cinnamon — you’re in heaven. Of 
course Kenya tried to shove the entire square I gave him into his little mouth in 
one bite which he quickly figured out wasn’t such a good idea! As for my friends with very strong opinions on what is and isn’t kugel, most of them gave this their stamp of approval.

Noodle Kugel (makes 20-25 squares)

2 Cup Eggs Noodles
1 Tbsp Butter
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese
2 Tbsp Sour Cream
2 Tbsp Agave Nectar
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Cup Raisins

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook for 5-7 minutes. You want them to be tender, but firm.
2. Strain the water off the noodles and place them in a large bowl.
3. Add the butter and toss the noodles so they’re evenly coated.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
5. Place the eggs, cottage cheese, sour cream, agave and cinnamon in a food processor or blender and pulse to combine throughly.
6. Pour the liquid mixture over the noodles and stir to coat.
7. Pour the noodle mixture into a 9 x 9 greased baking dish.
8. Bake for 25 minutes.
9. Cool and cut into square pieces.
10. Serve.

This is a perfect first food for a little one. I’ve been making it for 
Kenya since he started eating solids, but for some reason I forgot to put my recipe on 
weelicious. Applesauce is THE baby food standard. Inexpensive, 
healthy, sweet and complementary to so many other fruits and 
vegetables, apples should be one of the stars in your babies diet.
Full of vitamin C and fiber, you can make sauce from almost any kind of apple 
you can find, although Fuji’s and Gala apples are especially sweet and 
delicious.
I add a touch of cinnamon just to give it a little zip, but you could 
easily leave it out. Why spend more money buying jarred when you can make this in minutes?!


Apple Sauce (6 Baby Servings)

2 Apples, peeled and chopped into large chunks
1/8 Tsp Cinnamon

1. Place apples in a steamer pot over boiling water.
2. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until fork tender.
3. Place apples and cinnamon in a food processor and puree until smooth.
4. Cool and serve.

I’ve been eating okra since I was a wee one. When you grow up in the south, it’s an every day vegetable that people eat. Now that I live in California, it’s funny to see peoples faces when you say, “want some okra?” A lot of my friends haven’t even tried it before. Maybe they never had the opportunity. It’s not exactly a vegetable that you see on restaurant menus unless it’s been deep- fried and no longer resembles a green vegetable. But when cooked simply for minimal time, it’s a rich source of fiber and vitamins A and C.
Okra is in season and started popping up at the farmers’ market about 3 weeks ago. The first time I saw them I actually gasped with excitement, so fond are my childhood memories of it. When I came home I steamed up a batch for 4 minutes, let them cool and Kenya and I sat there and munched away. I was kind of shocked, but he loved them. He wasn’t so keen on them whole, however, so I cut up each one into several pieces for him. My husband can’t stand their somewhat sticky texture (which actually has thickening properties, perfect in a dish like this), but that’s what I love about them, so to each his own. Mixed in this caponata, the okra is transformed into a salsa-like dish minus the spice.

Okra, Corn and Tomato ‘Caponata’ (Makes 8 Toddler Servings)

2 Tsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Onion, chopped
1 Garlic Clove, minced
1 Cup Okra, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
1/2 Cup Tomatoes, chopped
1/3 Corn, fresh or frozen
1/2 Tsp Vegit (or Spike)

1. In a medium saute pan heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for 2 minutes until clear and translucent (do not brown).
2. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute.
3. Add the vegetables and Vegit, saute 1 minute and cover.
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender.
5. Cool and serve.

Years ago I had the great fortune to take several trips to Morocco for modeling jobs. It was so 
incredible being able to travel to cities all over the country and to experience 
the culture first hand. We would go to what are called souks, where the local merchants sell hand woven rugs, tagines (covered clay pots used to cook stews), food, jewelry and much more. It was always fun getting to take a break from work or shopping 
(when time allowed) to eat delicious creations, many of which were made with couscous.
When I’ve asked people what they think couscous is, they usually say, 
”a grain”. Actually, couscous is pasta made by rolling and shaping moistened 
semolina wheat and then coating the tiny pieces with finely ground 
wheat flour. The quick-cook variety, which you can buy in stores, takes only 
minutes to steam.
Although I love a savory dish with couscous, I’m always trying to 
think of healthy sweet treats for Kenya that he will enjoy without giving him sugar. With 
that in mind, I came up with this vanilla bean couscous recipe. It couldn’t be easier and you can make as much or as little as you 
want just by increasing the amount of milk and couscous. If you want to make it 
even sweeter, you could add some agave nectar, but when Kenya, his 
grandmother and I tried it today we thought it was heavenly just like it is.

Vanilla Bean Couscous (Makes 6 Toddler Servings)

1/2 Cup plus 3 Tbsp Whole Milk
1/4 Cup Water
1/3 of a Vanilla Bean, about 1 inch long
1/2 Cup Couscous

1. Place the water and 1/2 cup of the whole milk to a small saucepan.
2. With a paring knife, slice the vanilla bean in half. Starting at one end of the bean, using the flat side of the knife, scrape the seeds out of the pod. Add the seeds (it won’t seem like a lot, but it is) to the saucepan with the milk and the remaining vanilla bean.
3. Bring the liquid and vanilla to a boil.
4. Add the couscous, stir, reduce to a simmer and cover.
5. Cook for 5 minutes.
6. Stir the couscous, breaking up any clumps, add the remaining 3 Tbsp of milk.
7. Remove the whole vanilla bean.
8. Cool and serve.

Last week when I was heading out to the farmers market, my friend Zoe 
said, “You should make something with figs”. Zoe, mind you, is 14 years old. How many 14 year olds do you know think about figs let alone have tried them outside of maybe a Fig Newton bar? 

Zoe was so right and luckily there were figs all over the market — ripe, sweet and something that really feels like a great treat, so why 
not feed them to your little one?!
 I realize it’s not the most common first fruit to give babies, but 
they’re one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber and have 
the highest overall mineral content of common fruits. Their soft 
texture and the crunch of their teeny tiny seeds will give an interesting mouth 
feel for little ones.
Being the crazy frugal shopper that I am, after paying $4 at the 
farmer’s market for 8 perfectly ripe figs, I wanted to see how much they were at my local supermarket. $8 for 6! I was kind of shocked, but it’s proof again that when you shop at your local farmer’s market not only is the produce you’re getting superior to what you can buy in a store, but you’re also saving money.

I served this puree to Kenya by itself and he loved it. I even had him try 
it on top of yogurt and cottage cheese, again a total hit!


Fig Puree (Makes 10 Baby Servings)

8 Figs, stems cut off and quartered

1. Place the figs in a food processor and puree until smooth.
2. Serve.

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

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.

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.

One of my favorite things about baby food is that it’s just pure, wholesome and delicious. When these fruits are at their ripest, it’s so heavenly tasting, you don’t need to add anything.
Whenever I look at baby food jars in the grocery with artificial colors, preservatives and additives I think “do you really want your baby eating that crap”. I wouldn’t want it in my body, so why would I knowingly feed it to Kenya?
There’s nothing sweeter then a fresh banana, pear or peach. Even at this time of year, when peaches are out of season, I defrost frozen organic fruit and in an instant I can make this puree. This is the best dessert or breakfast food a baby would want.

Banana, Pear and Peach Puree (12 Baby Food Servings, freeze 1/2)

1 Banana
1 Pear
1 Peach (or 1 Cup Frozen Organic Peach Slices, defrosted)

1. Put all ingredients in a food processor.
2. Puree until smooth.
3. Serve.

Recently I’ve gone on a “protein kick” cooking for Kenya. Chicken, beef, fish, but what about beans. Some people dread cooking beans because they think there are too many steps in the preparation. That’s where lentils come in handy. When mixed with a grain they become a protein and lentils are packed with iron, important for the creation of white blood cells and antibodies. Iron is more readily absorbed when eaten with vitamin C, so I added tomatoes to this dish.

*Don’t be freaked out by the purple color in the dish. I used purple cauliflower.

Indian Lentil Stew (15 Baby Servings, freeze 1/2)

1 Tbsp Onion, chopped
1 Garlic Clove, chopped
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Brown Rice
1/4 Cup Lentils
1 1/2 Cup Water
1/4 Tsp Cumin
1/4 Tsp Curry Powder
1/2 Cup Tomatoes, canned or fresh
1/2 Cup Cauliflower

1. Heat oil in a 2 quart saucepan and saute onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add water and bring to a boil.
3. Add lentils, cumin and curry powder. Cover and simmer for 50-60 or until soft.
4. 10 minutes before mixture is complete, add tomatoes and cauliflower. Cover.
5. Puree mixture until smooth.
6. Cool and serve