Kiwi, Green Apple and Banana Puree

Celebrating a special occasion in this time of social distancing is difficult. For baby Prisha’s first birthday party favors, I thought nothing could be better than candy and chocolates so I made a bag full of candy and chocolates for the kids. I also decided to give them a little surprise. Since it’s almost summer what can be better than ice cream, right? And because we couldn’t hand out ice creams as party favors, I packed waffle cones with all the toppings. Now all the kids have to do is get some ice cream, fill the cones, pour out the toppings and enjoy!

For the adults, I made a chocolate bag with some good grownup chocolates and another bag of pub mix. After all who doesn’t like munching with a glass of drink, right?

I will be discussing more in my next articles, right now it’s recipe time!

Ingredients:

• Kiwi – 1, washed, ends cut, peeled
• Green Apple – 1, small (cored, peeled and cut into halves)
• Banana – 1, ripe, peeled

Directions:

• Transfer the Kiwi, Green Apple and Banana to your blender cup (Nutri bullet cup).
• Blend to make a smooth puree, adding a tablespoon of water at a time.
• Serve and let your baby enjoy the goodness!
• This puree can be kept in the fridge for 1-2 days.

Try these Baby Food purees as well:

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

Kiwi, Green Beans, Peas, Strawberry and Blueberry Puree

Kiwi looks so exotic and decorative right? With a green, sweet and tangy flesh and small black seeds, kiwi looks perfect to put on tarts and make fruit skewers. It is interesting to know that you don’t have to peel the skin if you don’t want to, or if you don’t mind chewing through it. 

Before adding any fruit in a baby food I always make sure it is ripe. One easy way to tell is by gently squeezing a Kiwi. A ripe Kiwi will give when squeezed without making a dent by your finger.

I also always peel Kiwi before adding in baby food. I use my vegetable peeler for that. To peel Kiwi, simply cut both the ends with a sharp serrated knife. Then using a sharp peeler, run it down and around the fruit without pushing too hard. Kiwis are tiny so try not to cut out any extra flesh.

It is also interesting to know that Kiwis are full of nutrients like Vitamin C, K and E, Folate and Potassium. They are loaded with antioxidants and are a good source of fiber. Their small black seeds are edible so there is no need to scoop them out.

Why vegetable and fruit combos? 
I found this a few months back that even the sweetest fruits can be a bit tart. By adding a vegetable, the natural sweetness increases in the puree while the fruits add more flavor thus making the puree more appetizing. 

Ingredients:

• Kiwi – 1, washed, ends cut, peeled
• Green beans – 1 cup, washed, trimmed and chopped
• Peas – ½ cup (I used frozen)
• Strawberry – 3-4, washed, hulled
• Blueberry – ¼ cup (I used frozen)

Directions:

• Cook the Green Beans and Peas either in a pot or in microwave till they are tender. Reserve the water.
• Allow them to cool down then transfer to blender cup (Nutri bullet cup) with the Kiwi, Strawberry and Blueberry. 
• Blend to make a smooth puree.
• When making a berry puree, I prefer to strain it to remove any small seeds. I use a big strainer and 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. 
• Serve and let your baby enjoy the goodness!
• This puree can be kept in the fridge for up-to 2 days.

Try these Baby Food purees as well:

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

Kiwi, Carrot, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree

I love the vegetable-fruit combos. I feel they make the perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors. This puree is as healthy as it is delicious. I have been serving this to baby Prisha since she turned 6 months.

When preparing homemade baby foods, I always go for organic. Costco offers quite a few varieties of organic fruits and vegetables. If not, I go to whole foods. When introducing new fruits and vegetables I always prefer making a small batch so that if anything goes wrong, I won't feel bad about throwing it away (or eating it myself). This puree uses only one kiwi. Use a kiwi which is ripe yet firm with a fragrant citrus smell. The squishy and soft ones are most likely on the verge of going bad meaning not suitable for this recipe. Peel the kiwi but there is no need to remove the tiny seeds.

By the way, do you know Costco often keeps a box of peeled and cubed butternut squash. They also have organic frozen mangoes. 

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Now before we move on to the recipe, would you like to read a poem? I used to write poems in school and submit them to the local magazines. My mom found a couple of poems the other day and sent them to me. Not sure if they are any good but they brought back all the memories. This one is named: God – My Best Friend

~*~ God – My Best Friend ~*~

O my God,

We need you with us in every hour.

We need you in our happy and sad moments,

We need you in our success and failures.

Many people may come and go,

But it is only you who never leaves us alone.

When we are lonely,

You accompany us.

When we are sad,

You make us happy.

When we appear to be losers,

You show us the road to success.

When we lose all hopes,

You give us hope.

When we move in the dark,

You give us light to move on.

When we stray away,

You show us the right path.

When we are disappointed,

You instill hope in our heart.

O my God,

You are all superior,

You are all mighty,

You are the only ray of hope in our life,

You are the true friend on whom we can rely,

We need your blessings in our life,

For you have given us this precious life.

Ingredients:

• Kiwi – 1, ripe, cut into halves
• Carrot – 1, big, peeled, cut into cubes
• Butternut squash – 1 cup, cut in cubes
• Mango – ½ cup, fresh or frozen, peeled and cut into cubes

Directions:

• Cook the Butternut Squash and Carrot in boiling water/ steamer basket or pressure cooker till they are tender. Let them cool down.
• Transfer to blender cup (Nutri Bullet cup) with the Kiwi and Mango. 
• Blend until smooth, add a tablespoon of water (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:

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