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Baby Food From Scratch
Holiday and Year-round Recipes Made Easy
By Lisa Sanders
So how easy is it? Grab a banana and a fork, and let's go!
But before beginning, make sure to thoroughly clean your hands, cooking utensils and work area to remove any potentially harmful bacteria. Also be sure to scrub your fruits and vegetables before cooking.
The actual process of making homemade baby food couldn't be simpler. First, remove the skin from fruits and vegetables. Then boil, steam or microwave them until soft. Finally, mash them to a smooth consistency using a fork, blender, food processor or food mill.
For Baby's first meals, use breast milk, formula or some of the cooking water to thin the food. As your child gets more experience eating, gradually increase the texture of the foods you make by adding less liquid or pureeing for a shorter time. Although most foods can be prepared easily using this method, there are a few that are best left to the big manufacturers. Corn, for example, requires straining after it's mashed to remove the skin. "It was a lot of work for only a little bit of food," says Peterlin.
Jacque Davis of Belleville, Ill., had a different vegetable frustration. "Broccoli is not a player for homemade food," she says. "If you cook it long enough to get it soft, it has a weird texture when mashed." O'Neil also offered a warning. "Beets make a mess not only during the making process but during the feeding process, too," she says. "I only did them once and that was enough!"
When your child is ready, at about 9 months, you can add meats to the menu. Meat can be baked, boiled or steamed, but it must be cooked thoroughly to kill any bacteria that may harm your baby. Also be sure not to add any seasonings or spices – let your child enjoy the taste of the food.
After you've served a variety of fruits, vegetables and meats, you can stop making food specifically for the baby and start offering pureed versions of the meals your family eats. This saves time in the kitchen because one meal feeds everyone.
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