Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Carrot, Tomato, Pear and Mint

Mint is widely used in Indian cuisine in biryani, chutney, curry and beverages. It has a cooling flavor which is very different than the other herbs. I added a handful of mint in this puree not only to brighten its flavor but also to introduce it to baby Prisha. 

Do not use dried mint for this puree because it wont come close to the aroma and flavor of a fresh bunch. Choose green leaves, free from dark spots or yellowing. 

I hope your baby enjoys mint as much as Prisha did. It will surely open their palate to a world of bold and exciting foods. 

One question that I have receiving a lot from the other mamas is, do I strain the purees? Well not always. I cook the fruits, vegetables, carb and meat really well (in my pressure cooker), and then I run them in my Nutri bullet till they are form a creamy puree. I also keep the water/ milk Sippy handy. You can strain the purees if you want, it only takes a minute (use a big strainer and big bowl to do that). Just push the puree down the strainer with a rubber spatula and run the pulp in your blender with some water again. 

Ingredients:

• Cheese – about 2/3 cup, shredded/ grated
• Chicken Breast – about ½ cup, cut into cubes
• Penne Pasta – about 1/3 cup, uncooked
• Carrot – 1, peeled, washed and cut into medium cubes
• Tomato – 1, washed, cored and cut into halves
• Pear – 1, cored, washed and cut into halves
• Mint – a few stems, washed thoroughly, use only fresh leaves

Directions:

• Take a small pot (or pressure cooker), add the Chicken, Pasta, Carrot, Tomato and Pear in it.
• Add 1 cup of water, cover and cook till everything is well cooked and tender. For cooker, 3-4 whistles over medium heat usually cooks everything.
• Allow it to cool down a bit then add the Cheese and Mint leaves in it.
• Once the Cheese melts, add everything in the blender (Nutri Bullet) cup.
• Make the puree, adding a tablespoon of water at a time (in which the vegetables were cooked) till it is smooth enough for your baby.
• Serve and let them enjoy the goodness!
• This puree can be kept in the fridge for 1-2 days.

Try these Baby Food purees as well:

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