One of my first food memories was my mother making quiche. Yes, quiche, the dish that most notably was in the title of a 1982 bestselling satirical book about masculinity. Quiche was my mother’s tried and true recipe that worked for dinner parties, neighborhood picnics, luncheons and more. Whether she told me this or not, I always thought of quiche as sophisticated food. When she let me have a piece, I felt like one of the grown ups. I’m pretty sure that Kenya could care less about being anything but a little baby right now, but one thing is true: he loves these crustless quiches.
Packed with tiny pieces of vegetables and cheese, these protein packed morsels only take minutes to prepare. I just toss all of the ingredients in the food processor, whiz it up and pour it into the molds. Really, it’s that easy.
These are perfect for any meal of the day or even a little ones birthday party, so they can pretend to be one of the adults.

Mini Vegetarian Quiches (Makes 12 Mini Quiche)

2 Large Eggs
1/3 Cup Swiss Cheese, shredded
1 Zucchini, diced or shredded
1/2 Cup Spinach
1/4 Cup Cottage Cheese
1/4 Cup Whole Milk

1. Preheat over to 325 degrees.
2. Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until throughly combined and vegetables are in small pieces.
3. Spray or grease mini muffin tins with oil or butter.
4. Pour a tablespoon of mixture into each muffin cup. It should fill each cup about 3/4 way to the top.
5. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
6. Cool and serve.

Several years ago I co-hosted “New Years Rockin’ Eve’ with Dick Clark”. There’s nothing more magical then actually being in Times Square, seeing the ball drop and watching the literal shower of confetti float through the air at the stroke of midnight. How that night inspired a vegetable dish while I was sitting and staring blankly into a saute pan one evening, I have no idea. Maybe it’s because this delicious recipe reminds me of bright and colorful confetti and that was such a special night for me.
I took gorgeous summer vegetables from the farmers’ market, threw them in the food processor and, as Emeril would say, “BAM!” In minutes I had a vegetable dish that’s so easy for babies to chew and digest since the pieces are so small.
If you can’t find the vegetables I’ve used, you could substitute with what is available to you. Try using yellow or green squash for the patty pan squash, broccoli or cauliflower for the romenesco and any color bell pepper that looks appealing. If you’ve never seen or heard of romenesco, search it out. It’s packed with vitamin C, fiber and carotenoids (which have strong antioxidant properties) and it’s visually appealing — definitely one of nature’s cooler looking vegetables.
Chock full of vitamins and minerals, this is a good one for even those little ones that turn their noses up at the foods you really want them to eat.

Vegetable Confetti (Makes 8 Toddler Servings)

1 Cup or 1 Patty Pan Squash, chopped (You could also use zucchini or yellow squash)
1/2 Cup Asparagus, chopped
2/3 Cup Bell Pepper, chopped (any color)
1/2 Cup Romenesco
1 Garlic Clove
1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1. Place the first 5 ingredients in a food processor and pulse until you have small pieces.
2. Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan over low to medium heat and cook for 3 minutes.
3. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are fork tender.
4. Cool and serve.

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.

Meatloaf is THE all-American food. I always think of it as the dish that you either love or absolutely hate. I’ve also seen hundreds of recipes for it and people are extremely passionate about what they think does and doesn’t belong inside. My mother must have used an entire bottle of ketchup on hers. I’ll refrain from commenting.
My version of meatloaf is perfect for the whole family, but especially for your little one. The best part is they’re cooked in mini muffin pans, so they only take 20 minutes to bake. I pack mine with vegetables and since there’s no salt or sugary ketchup, I add some cheese which makes every bite taste heavenly. Kenya had such a grin on his face when I gave him his first one. He tried to shove the entire thing in his mouth, but luckily I cajoled him into letting me cut it up.

Cheesy Turkey Meatloaf Bites (24 Mini Bites)

1 Zucchini, chopped
1/2 Cup Onion, chopped
1/2 Cup Red Bell Pepper
1/2 Cup Baby Carrots (about
1 Egg, beaten
1 Garlic Clove
1 Tbsp Worsteshire Sauce
1 Tsp Italian Herbs
1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs (whole wheat, preferably)
1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese, white or orange, shredded
1 Lb. Ground Turkey (93% lean ground meat)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Spray a nonstick mini muffin tin with vegetable oil cooking spray or grease with oil.
3. Place all of the ingredients, except the turkey, in a food processor and pulse until everything is combined and the vegetables are in tiny pieces.
4. Place the ground turkey and vegetable mixture in a bowl and throughly combine (using your hands is the easiest way to do it).
5. Place about a tablespoon of the meatloaf mixture in the muffin pans and pack down with a spoon.
6. Bake until the mini turkey loaves are cooked through or an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165 degrees F, about 20 minutes.
7. Cool and serve.
garlic, worsheshire sauce, bread crumbs

Kenya has had an unusual transition from purees to solids. Sometimes 
he only wants solids to feed himself and other times he only wants purees for me 
to feed him. This recipe is for one of the first solid foods I fed him 
and he loved it. It was especially fun for him to feed himself the 
tiny pieces of vegetables, grains and meat (delicious and good for fine motor skills!). This is also a great dish because it contains a vegetable, protein and several grains.
As I’ve written time and time again, I’m a huge fan of Trader Joes when it comes to food shopping. The prices are usually lower than most 
stores, they carry a huge array of organic products and items that are 
very kid friendly. The Harvest Grains I use here are healthful, 
fast and easy to cook. Sometimes I cook them longer then the package 
calls for so the grains stick together. Kenya really likes to take a handful when he feeds himself. He always looks at me like he’s so proud to be part 
of the process.

Mediterranean Medley (8 Baby Servings)

1 Tsp Olive Oil
1/4 Lb. Ground Organic Meat
1/4 Cup Zucchini, chopped
1/2 Cup Tomato, chopped
1/2 Tsp Fresh Thyme, chopped
1/2 Cup Harvest Grains (a mix of Israeli couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo
beans and red quinoa from Trader Joes), cooked per the instructions on
the package

1. Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium heat.
2. Add the ground meat and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add the vegetables and thyme and cook for 3 more minutes or until
all the ingredients are fork tender and the meat is cooked through.
4. Mix the meat and vegetable mixture with the grains.
5. Cool and 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.