Sweet potatoes are a great first food for babies. You can pretty much cook them in whatever way you like best (roast, boil or steam). They are high in dietary fiber and are an excellent source of vitamin A (growth, healthy skin and for good vision), C (growth and healing of wounds, it also helps in the absorption of iron), B6 (protein metabolism) and Potassium (heart and muscles work better).
Kidney beans are a delicious second food for your baby. Make sure they have been cooked very well, test by mashing the beans with your fingers. Do not be tempted to add more than 1-2 tablespoons when first introducing it to your baby. Kidney beans are rich in most B-vitamins, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and plant-based protein. Along with many other minerals and nutrients, kidney beans contain two that are commonly deficient in babies: folate and iron.
Black Cardamom is a small herb with strong aromatic fragrance. It is widely used in Indian cooking for its unique taste and flavor. Although it has several health benefits (like Gastro-Intestinal, Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Oral, to name a few), I have used it here to add flavor and aroma in the puree and also to introduce the herb to baby Prisha. When adding whole spices, always make sure to remove them before making the puree.
Ingredients:
- Sweet Potato – 1 cup, peeled and cubed
- Kidney Beans – 2-3 tablespoons (fully cooked)
- Purple Carrot – 1 big, peeled and cut in big pieces
- Green Apple – ½, seeded, chopped in medium cubes
- Black Cardamom - 1
- Salt – 1/8 teaspoon
Directions:
- Add all the ingredients (except the Apple) in the pressure cooker.
- Add ½ cup of water, cover and cook for 3-4 whistles over medium heat.
- Once the pressure drops, allow it to cool down a bit. Remove the Black Cardamom. Then mash the vegetables and beans lightly with a spatula to check if everything has thoroughly cooked.
- If your baby is eating table foods, then this is ready to be served to your baby (I like mashing everything lightly). Add the Apple and serve when it is slightly warm.
- If your baby is consuming purees, make the puree in your blender or Nutri bullet.
- Always adjust the consistency of the food/ puree before serving to your baby. If you see your baby having difficulty with the food, serve something else or make a thinner puree.
- This puree can be kept in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Try these Baby Food purees as well:
- Carrot Puree/ Carrot Avocado Puree
- Garlic Tomato Pasta Puree
- Chicken Broccoli Fried Rice/ Casserole
- Ginger Beef with Veggies
- Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Golden Beets, Acorn Squash, Peas and fresh Parsley
- Rice Pudding with Apple and Banana
- 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 Blueberry and Pear Oats Apricot Mango
- Apple Blueberry Puree
- Beef, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Puree
- 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
- Turnip Pear Broccoli Yellow Squash
- Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree
- Khichri (Lentils and Rice with Garden Veggies Puree)
- Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Zucchini Carrot and Cilantro
- Kiwi, Carrot, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree
- Carrot, Apple and Ginger Puree
- Chicken, Yellow Squash, Apple with Nutmeg
- Chicken, Mango and Broccoli Penne
- Beef Beetroot Yellow Squash Puree
- Diary of Finger Foods
- 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
- Diary of Finger Foods -1
- Pear Banana Oatmeal
- Sweet Potato, Mango and Avocado Puree
- Carrot, Peach, Butternut Squash puree with Clove
- Kiwi, Green Beans, Peas, Strawberry and Blueberry Puree
- Kiwi, Green Apple and Banana Puree
- Butternut Squash and Kiwi Puree
- Mangsho Bhat (Chicken Rice with Potato and Tomato)
- Pot Roast
- Beef Barley Stew for the Babies
- Cardamom Chicken with Vegetables for the Babies
- Plum Puree
- Plum, Blackberry Puree with Yogurt
- Apple Mango Kiwi Banana Puree with a dash of Vanilla Extract
- Purple Carrots, Butternut Squash and Dried Apricots
- Chicken, Acorn Squash, Golden Beet and Ginger Powder
- Diary of Finger Foods - 2
- Plum Cherry Mango Puree
- Carrot Peach and Cherry Puree
- Mangoes Cherries Peach Acorn Squash and Mint Puree
- Beef Pasta with Spinach, Tomato and Carrot
- Zucchini Pear Mango Purée
- Chole Chawal (Chickpea curry with Rice)
- Collard Greens, Pineapple and Apple Puree
- Mango Banana Coconut Cream (with Yogurt) Puree
