Even when my little brother was just a wee one, he loved caesar salad. 
Now that he’s an adult, it’s no different. It’s caesar salad for him every time we 
go out to a restaurant. In honor of his undying passion for the salad’s dressing, I figured I would make an eggless version to try out on his nephew.
Something about giving raw eggs (a typical addition to caesar 
dressing) to toddlers didn’t seem to be such a great idea to me (can you say 
salmonella?!). Instead, the tofu in this recipe acts like the thickener and makes this dressing 
a creamy dip for vegetables and even fish or chicken. I 
actually wouldn’t have thought about dipping a protein into it until Kenya started taking his chicken chunks and dipping away. Something 
about the taste of this dip on different foods makes them that more 
interesting to him.

I’m sure a lot of people will look at the ingredient list below and think 
”yuck, anchovies,” but they give a salty flavor that is the key to making this dip so tasty. 
Plus, anchovies are an excellent source of vitamins B12, D and omega-3 fatty 
acids that cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained only 
through diet. They convert into chemicals that regulate the key 
fighters in your child’s immune system, also known as white blood cells.
I gave Kenya steamed baby potatoes with this dip and he devoured them. You could also chop up some baby lettuce and toss it with this sauce 
to make a baby caesar salad. Yummy!

Eggless Caesar Dip (Makes 1/2 Cup)

2 Tsp White Wine Vinegar
2 Tsp Lemon Juice
2 Tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tsp Dijon Mustard
4 Anchovy Fillets (you can buy these canned at groceries)
3 Tbsp Soft Tofu
3 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese
3 Tbsp Olive Oil

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

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 in a food processor and puree until smooth.
2. Mix with pasta and serve.

This seems like a very unlikely combination, but it’s a good lesson in working with what you have available. The results were better than I expected and even when I tried it I thought it was delicious.
I added an extra ingredient to this dish: brewer’s yeast. Most people have no idea what brewer’s yeast is, but it’s a great source of vitamin B and has a kind of toasted cheese flavor. The B complex vitamins help the body produce antibodies, provide, energy by converting carbohydrates into glucose, metabolize fats and proteins, and help regenerate red blood cells. A lot of vegetarians sprinkle brewer’s yeast on cereals, salads, or put it in soups, sauces and even baked goods. It can be purchased at health food stores.
Add in the broccoli and apricot puree, and this dish is also packed with vitamin C, iron, potassium and beta-carotene. Your baby will happily buzzing about with good energy from this delicious combination.

Broccoli, Tofu and Apricot Puree (6 Baby Servings)

1 Cup Broccoli Florets
1/2 Cup Soft Tofu
2 Tbsp Apricot Puree
1 Tbsp Brewers Yeast

1. Place the broccoli in a steamer pot over boiling water and cook for
4 minutes or until broccoli is fork tender. Cool.
2. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and puree (you can
leave it chunkier for babies with a few teeth).
3. 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

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

Breakfast was always my favorite meal growing up. My Mother would make us homemade pancakes, muffins, eggs and more. It was always a surprise to see what would be waiting at the table before we started our long day of play and school.
Since Kenya has been eating almond butter for two weeks, it’s been my saving grace and a new addition to his usual breakfast dishes. He smiles when I show him the bowl with his new favorite treat.
This protein mash is packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s smooth and creamy and easy for him to digest first thing in the morning. Even better, it only takes seconds to prepare and can be made fresh each morning.

* Make sure to cover the tofu with new water everyday, so it remains fresh.

Oaty-Almond Protein Mash (1 Baby Serving)

1 Tbsp Soft (Silken) Tofu
1 Tsp Almond Butter
1 Tbsp Oatmeal Cereal (you could also use other infants cereals such as rice, barley or multigrain)
1 Tbsp Hot Water (use more if too thick)

1. Place all ingredients in a bowl and mash with a fork.
2. Serve.

Some mornings when I walk downstairs bleary eyed (wait, that’s every morning), I wish there was something already made in the refrigerator that I could just pull out. I came up with this recipe for just that reason.
After staying out late while the grandparents were in town, I knew that making things easy on myself in the morning would be important. Fruit, dairy, protein and wheat germ are the perfect start to Kenya’s morning of play.
Wheat germ was one of those foods I thought only older people ate. I remember my Grandparents talking about adding it to their food and thinking it was only for “old” people. Turns out it’s delicious in everything from muffins to cereal. Wheat germ is the product left behind after the processing of refined flour. In actuality, it’s the best part containing all the nutrients that have been stripped from the final product. It’s packed with B-Vitamins, Vitamin E and Iron, and a rich antioxidant.
Truth be told, this also makes a great dessert for your wee one.

Blueberry & Mango Breakfast (8 Baby Servings)

1/4 Cup Blueberries, washed
1/4 Cup Mango, chopped
1/2 Cup Tofu
2 Tbsp Whole Milk Yogurt
1 Tbsp Wheat Germ

1. Place ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Serve