What you need:
- A food blender or
- Baby food mill (grinder) or
- Wire sieve and spoon
- Ice cube trays, freezer bags and labels (for freezing)
Before you start:
- Wash your hands
- Use clean utensils, containers and cookware
- You do not need to add sugar, salt, margarine or butter
Storage:
- Once you make baby food, serve it or store it right away
- Baby food can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer
Refrigerator
- Store home-made baby food in tightly covered containers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- Remove the portion to be served at each meal rather than feeding directly from the container. Any uneaten food remaining should be thrown out.
- Any food that has been heated should not be refrigerated for another meal-throw it out.
Freezer
- Put the prepared puree into ice cube trays. Cover the ice cube tray container with plastic wrap and place in freezer for up to 3-6 hours, until frozen.
- Or, take the pureed food and put spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and freeze.
- Once the purees are frozen, store in plastic freezer bags, label and date.
- If stored in the fridge freezer, use the food within 2 months.
- If stored in the deep freezer, use the food within 6 months.
To thaw:
- Thaw frozen baby food in the refrigerator. Do not leave baby food on the counter to thaw. Warm baby food in a dish of hot water or double boiler.
- Do not re-freeze baby food that has been thawed. It will keep for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
- Throw out left over food after baby is finished eating.
| Vegetables and Fruits |
- Wash, peel, pit and/or seed and slice fresh or frozen vegetables or fruit.
- Place vegetables or fruit in a small amount of boiling water. Cook until tender. Or use the microwave: place fruits or vegetables in a microwave safe bowl with a small amount of water and heat at a high setting until the fruits or vegetables are tender.
- Remove from heat and drain
- Keep the cooking water.
- Mash or blend using a small amount of cooking water.
- You can blend or mash ripe, soft fruits like bananas, mangoes, avocados and canned fruit without cooking them.
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| Meat and fish |
- Place a piece of meat or fish in a saucepan with a small amount of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer. Continue to cook until meat separates easily from the bones or the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- You can also roast, bake, or braise meats and fish. Remove the bones and skin and trim off the fat. Cut meat or flake fish into small pieces.
- Blend with cooking water or stock.
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| Meat Alternatives |
- Cook legumes, such as beans, lentils and chickpeas, according to the package directions. Rinse canned beans well. Cook egg. Use plain tofu.
- Blend with a little water or mash with a fork.
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