Many of our friends tell us our daughter Jade is blessed to have a dad who owns a restaurant, but really, with a little bit of imagination and time, any parent can play chef for their child. One of the first foods we introduced to Jade when she was 5 months old was homemade purees, made from organic vegetables and fruits. They’re easy to make, healthy, cost-effective and absolutely delicious.
Jade loved my carrot, spinach and potato puree at first sight. It was colorful, flavorful and had great texture. Every time she ate a spoonful, she would open her mouth to the fullest and say, "Ah-yummm," and would then proceed to clap her hands in delight. For me, that was a pretty good sign that she was enjoying her meal.
Carrot, spinach and potato make a great combination as they are all low in saturated fat and cholesterol, high in dietary fiber, potassium, manganese, and packed with vitamins A, B6, C, E and K.
One of Jade’s favorite purees is banana and avocado. I introduced avocados early on due to their texture and creaminess, as well as their high nutrient content. Bananas complement most fruits as they are starchier, seedless and full of vitamin B and potassium. (Warning to all dads: Since I’ve started making these purees, my wife has been known to secretly snack on them.)
If you’re like us and don’t have much time, spend a few hours on the weekend making large batches of puree. You’ll find you can make enough to get you through two to three weeks. Fruit and vegetable purees can be frozen in an ice cube tray, covered, for up to a month. So put aside the time, enjoy the experience, and you will find that your baby will be saying "Ah-yummm" very soon, too. Bon appétit!
Carrot, Spinach and Potato Puree
(makes 10 servings)
360g carrot
250g spinach
400g potato
Poach the spinach first for five minutes and refresh with cold water to retain the chlorophyll. Then steam the potato and carrot together for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Put all of the cooked vegetables into a blender with add a dash of olive oil or water. Mix until smooth.
Banana and Avocado Puree
(makes 10-12 servings)
5 bananas
5 avocados
Peel and remove the seeds of the avocados, blend or process with the bananas until smooth.
Please note the information shared here is meant as a guide and does not replace professional medical advice. Please discuss the introduction of any new foods or drinks with your baby’s doctor.
Geoffrey Weckx is the owner of W Dine and Wine, and lives in Beijing with his wife Belina and 1-year-old daughter Jade.