Chicken and Barley Puree with Sweet Potato or Butternut Squash

Chicken and Barley with Butternut Squash Puree

The idea of this delicious puree came from the chicken stew I prepared for our dinner. Of course I added a few more ingredients in our stew and the result was so yummy that I decided to prepare this as a puree for baby Prisha as well. I have added a small pinch of salt here but if you are thinking salt should not be in this recipe, you are most welcome to skip it. The main flavors come from organic chicken and sweet potato (or butternut squash).

The second time I wanted to prepare this puree, I didn’t have any sweet potatoes at home, so I used butternut squash instead. It was so yummy and orange, it looked like fall in a bowl. 

This puree makes a perfect yummy comfort food for your baby. It is tender, creamy and savory and your little one will love this delicious puree for lunch or dinner. I know my baby sure enjoys having this puree again and again!

If you are looking for a dish to introduce spices to your baby, look no further. This puree is perfect to add Garam Masala which as you know consists of many aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, bay leaf etc. It is great to start the spices at this age so that the little ones start adapting to the different aromas and flavors. Just a pinch of my homemade Garam Masala and Ghee makes this combo healthy and delicious. 

By the way, are you browsing for baby utensils, I have a tried and tested recommendation for you. Munchkin Love-a-Bowls 10-Piece Bowl and Spoon Set. I have been using it for the past few months and it is perfect! The bowls are spill-proof, leak-proof, and break-proof, plus they can be used in microwave, fridge, and dishwasher. They are BPA free as well so that’s another relief. Before I became a mom, I never knew there were so many things to worry about. 

What is BPA?
BPA or Bisphenol A, is an industrial chemical found in polycarbonate plastics which are often used to make food storage containers and water bottles. Research has found possible health effects of BPA on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. It can also affect children's behavior. Hence it is very important to check all the baby products for BPA free.

Now let’s move on to the recipe. Hope your baby likes it!

Ingredients:

• Chicken – ¼ cup, cut in cubes, boneless
• Barley – 2 teaspoons (I prefer quick, no sodium)
• Sweet Potatoes or Butternut Squash – about 1 cup, cut in cubes
• Salt – a pinch (optional)
• Garam Masala – a pinch
• Ghee – ¼ teaspoon

Directions:

• Place the ingredients into the pressure cooker. You can also use a heavy saucepan. Add one cup of water.
• Cover and cook over medium heat for 3-4 whistles or until the sweet potatoes (or butternut squash) get tender and the chicken completely cooks (about 15-20 minutes).
• Allow the chicken and sweet potatoes (or butternut squash) to cool down completely then use half of the water (in which they were cooked) to make the puree. Puree using a blender/ food processor or Nutribullet. Keep adding 1-2 tablespoons of water till the puree is smooth enough for your baby.
• Serve for lunch or dinner and let them enjoy the goodness. You can keep the puree for up-to 2 days in the fridge.

Chicken and Barley with Sweet Potato Puree

Try these Baby Food purees as well:

• Carrot Puree/ Carrot Avocado Puree
• Rice Pudding with Apple and Banana
• Apple Blueberry Puree
• Beef, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Puree
• Chicken, Yellow Squash, Apple with Nutmeg
• Purple Carrots, Butternut Squash and Dried Apricots
• Chicken, Acorn Squash, Golden Beet and Ginger Powder
• Chicken, Mango and Broccoli Penne
• Turnip Pear Broccoli Yellow Squash
• Diary of Finger Foods
• Apple Puree/ Apple Mango Carrot Puree
• Triple Berry (Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry), Banana and Oatmeal Puree
• Green Power: Green Beans Puree/ French Beans and Pear Puree with Yogurt
• 5 Minute Purees – Blueberry Avocado Banana Puree and Cherry Mango Banana Puree
• Breakfast Purees – Pear Oats Plums Blueberries and Pear Oats Apricots Mangoes
• Avocado Purees – Avocado Cherry Banana Puree and Avocado Orange Banana Puree
• Sweet Banana – Banana Avocado Pineapple Puree with Yogurt and Banana Golden Beet Mango Puree
• Butternut Squash, Strawberry and Golden Beet Puree
• Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree
• Khichri (Lentils and Rice with Garden Veggies Puree)
• Beef Beetroot Yellow Squash Puree
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Zucchini Carrot and Cilantro
• Kiwi, Carrot, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree
• Carrot, Apple and Ginger Puree
• Carrot, Peach, Butternut Squash puree with Clove
• Mangsho Bhat (Chicken Rice with Potato and Tomato)
• Pot Roast
• Plum Apple Avocado Puree
• Red Lentils Puree with Turnip, Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes and aromatic Cloves
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Carrot, Yellow Squash, Apple and Oregano
• Green Beans and Asparagus Puree
• Apple Mango Kiwi Banana Puree with a dash of Vanilla Extract
• Diary of Finger Foods - 2
• Green Beans, Green Apple and Avocado Puree
• Pear, Turnip, Collard Greens, Purple Carrot with aromatic Star Anise
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Carrot, Tomato, Pear and Mint
• Diary of Finger Foods -1
• Pear Banana Oatmeal
• Collard Greens, Pineapple and Apple Puree
• Mango Banana Coconut Cream (with Yogurt) Puree
• Blueberry Strawberry Peas Avocado Puree
• Ginger Beef with Veggies
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Golden Beets, Acorn Squash, Peas and fresh Parsley
• Sweet Potato, Mango and Avocado Puree
• Kiwi, Green Beans, Peas, Strawberry and Blueberry Puree
• Beef Pasta with Spinach, Tomato and Carrot
• Zucchini Pear Mango Purée
• Kiwi, Green Apple and Banana Puree
• Butternut Squash and Kiwi Puree
• Plum Puree
• Chole Chawal (Chickpea curry with Rice)
• Sweet Potato, Kidney Beans, Purple Carrots and Green Apple
• Plum, Blackberry Puree with Yogurt
• Plum Cherry Mango Puree
• Carrot Peach and Cherry Puree
• Mangoes Cherries Peach Acorn Squash and Mint Puree
• Beef Barley Stew for the Babies
• Cardamom Chicken with Vegetables for the Babies
• Garlic Tomato Pasta Puree
• Chicken Broccoli Fried Rice/ Casserole