My son is 6 months and I'd like to make him some baby food. I have bananas that he likes to taste and I know i don't need to cook those. I also have an avocado and would like to get a sweet potato. How do I prepare and store them? Can I add spices to them if I want? Thanks!

I have not done this, since I don't yet have a baby, but I want to try it. I have heard people say they just cook and puree whatever they want, and I have heard a good tip of freezing the food in ice cube trays, so you can thaw 1-2 cubes at a time and it's a good amount of food.

I never had the time to do this much (beyond the bananas) for my kids, but It surely is a great way to save money and know your baby is eating good food. The only thing I have heard is that it's best to NOT try to do your own carrots as baby food. Something about the carrots' "skin" losing too many vitamins for babies in the mashing? I've forgotten exactly.

Anyhow, my friends who have made their own baby food mostly all swear by this book: "Super Baby Food" by Ruth Yaron.

Here's a few recipes that I have - ifyou want more just let me know -

Baby Pancakes

Baby Pancakes - not a biscuit but a great finger food

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup baby barley cereal (or other baby cereal)
1 cup formula (or another liquid such as milk)
1/2 cup mashed banana (or fruit of your choice)
1 tbsp melted margarine or butter (unsalted type)
3 EGG YOLKS

1/2 cup baby oatmeal
apple juice (about 1/2 cup) Use water if you prefer
Add cinnamon, nutmeg, dash of vanilla or other flavourings if you wish!

Mix all ingredients together and add enough juice to make pancake consistency. Cook on cook top in frying pan as with "regular" pancakes! **Freezes Well**

Eggless Baby Cereal Cookies

1 cup FLOUR
1 cup dry infant rice cereal with bananas (or other flavored or
unflavored infant cereal)
3 tablespoons cooking oil
ice water

Directions:
Preheat oven 425F
Mix flour and cereal.
Gradually stir in oil. Mix a little ice water at a time (start with 1/4 cup) until
dough begins to form a ball and pull away from the bowl.
Roll out to the thickness of a cracker on a floured surface and cut into desired
shapes.
Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet 10-12 min. or until lightly brown. Cool
completely.

Store in an airtight container. (you may want to try 1/2 plain and 1/2 flavoured baby cereal as the taste when using full flavoured baby cereal is
very strong!)




Baby Cereal Cookie Recipe!

2 Tbs Shortening
1/2 C. SUGAR
1 EGG
1tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp SALT
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp water
1 1/2 C. baby cereal

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, baking
powder, salt, vanilla, and water. Mix until well blended. Gradually stir in cereal.
Knead until smooth. Pat into rectangle. Cut into 12 1" bars, smooth edges so
they will not be sharp. Place on ungreased sheet. Bake 20-30 min or until dry.
Store in uncovered container overnight. **Freezes Well**

Banana Bread Sticks

1/4 cup brown SUGAR
1/2 cup oil
2 EGGS
1 cup mashed banana
1 3/4 cups FLOUR (white, whole wheat, or a combination)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Combine ingredients and stir only until smooth. Pour into a greased loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for about 1 hour or until firmly set.

Cool, remove from pan, and cut into sticks. Spread sticks out on a cookie sheet
and bake at 150 degrees F for 1 hour or longer until the sticks are hard and
crunchy. Store in a tightly covered container.




Monkey Cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose FLOUR
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp SALT
1 cup SUGAR
2/3 cup butter/margarine, softened
2 EGGS
2 bananas, mashed
1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Mix well.
Add butter or margarine. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Drop by tspfuls on cookie sheet. Bake in a preheat, 400-degree oven 12 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen. These are very cake-like and you may wish to add more flour for a stiffer "cookie".






Teething Biscuits*

2 1/2 cups FLOUR
1/2 cup instant non-fat dry milk powder
1/2 cup wheat germ
11/2 tsps baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp SALT
3/4 cup SUGAR
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 EGG
1/2 cup undiluted, frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

Combine flour, milk powder, wheat germ, baking powder, cinnamon and salt
together.

In another bowl, combine sugar and oil. Beat in the egg and orange juice and
gradually add flour mixture to make a stiff dough. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Place greased cookie sheet on damp towel to keep from sliding. Place dough on
cookie sheet and flatten, rolling out to within 1 inch of the edge.

Cut into 2 by 3/4-inch bars; separating the cookies isn't necessary. Bake 15
minutes in preheated 375-degree oven until light brown.

Remove from oven; recut on the same lines. Return to oven. Turn off heat and
let set until oven is cool. Makes about 6 dozen cookies that can be frozen and
thawed as needed. **Freezes Well**




Nutritious Teething Biscuits

Ingredients:
1 beaten EGG YOLK
3 Tbsp maple syrup or molasses (May be omitted)
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 Tbsp oil
1/4 cup MILK
1 Tbsp uncooked oatmeal
1 cup flour (white, wheat or combo)
1 Tbsp soy flour
1 Tbsp wheat germ
1 Tbsp nonfat dry milk.

Directions:
Blend wet ingredients, add dry ingredients. Dough will be stiff. Roll dough thin
and cut into strips or desired shapes.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet.
They can be made without the last 3 ingredients, but they add to the
nutritional value. **Freezes Well**




WHEAT-WHITE FLOUR SUBSTITUTIONS:

* barley flour This has a mild flavor and works especially well in pancakes, cookies, and quick breads. Replace up to half of any wheat flour in a recipe with this. Contains some gluten.

* buckwheat flour (Buckwheat is NOT wheat!) This is especially good in pancakes. It tends to make baked goods heavier and stronger tasting. Replace up to half of the wheat flour in any recipe with this.

* oat flour This is especially good in quick breads and cookies. It makes baked goods moister, chewier, and more crumbly. May contain some gluten due to cross-contamination.

* brown rice flour This is especially good for those with wheat allergies; replace up to 1/4 of any wheat flour with this. Baked goods made with rice flour tend to be crumbly, so consider substituting a mixture of one part arrowroot or other thickener plus four parts rice flour. Adding more eggs is another way to reduce crumbliness. Since rice flour absorbs more moisture, you may need to add more liquid to recipe.

* soy flour This is high in protein, but has a very strong flavor. Replace up to 1/4 of any wheat flour with this, then increase the liquid in the recipe and reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees.



Homemade Wheat Thins (8mos and up)

3 cups uncooked oatmeal
2 cups unbleached white FLOUR (may substitute 1 c. whole wheat flour for
the white)
1 cup wheat germ
3 tbsp. SUGAR
1 tsp. SALT (not necessary - omit if you choose)
3/4 cup oil
1 cup water

Mix all together, and roll out onto 2 cookie sheets. Sprinkle with salt. Lightly roll again to press salt in. Cut into squares or diamonds - a pizza cutter works well.
Bake at 350?. After 15 minutes begin checking the crackers and remove the ones that are golden brown and hard. Continue checking every 3-5 minutes. Optional sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds before baking.



Zwieback Toast

1/2 c MILK
1 pkg active dry yeast
1/4 c SUGAR
1/4 c butter -- melted
1/4 tsp SALT
1/2 tsp ground anise or anise flavoring
3 EGGS
3 c FLOUR

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Scald the milk and when lukewarm add to the
yeast.

Add the sugar, butter, salt, anise and the eggs unbeaten, and enough flour to
handle. Let rise until light.

Make into 3 inch oblong rolls, place close together in a buttered pan in rows,
two inches apart. Let rise again and bake 20 minutes.

When cold cut in 1/2 inch slices and brown evenly in the oven. If desired you
can ice with a glaze made from confectioner's sugar
or dust with confectioner's sugar.



Eggless Baby Cereal Cookies

1 cup FLOUR
1 cup baby cereal
1 cup juice

Mix ingredients well. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake for 20-30 min @ 350
deg. F.. Freezes Well
*Dough will be very sticky and seem "wrong" and may be hard to work with.
This is as it should be so do not panic! You may wish to add more flour and/or
cereal to achieve a more doughy consistency.*


Wholesome Wheat Cookies

2/3 cup MILK
4 Tbsp butter, melted and cooled
1 Tbsp brown SUGAR
1 cup plain, untoasted wheat germ
1 cup whole wheat FLOUR, approx.

Directions:
Beat together the milk, butter and sugar. Stir in the wheat germ and enough
flour to make a dough.
Knead until smooth and satiny, about 8 to 10 minutes. Pinch off balls of dough
and roll them into sticks about 1/2 in. thick and 4 in. long (1.25 cm x 10 cm).
Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350°F (175°C) for about 45 minutes or until
browned and hard. Yield: 20



Overnight Teething Biscuits

2 EGGS
1 cup SUGAR (white or brown)
2 to 2 1/4 cups FLOUR (white, whole wheat, or a combination)
1/4 wheat germ
dash of cinnamon

Directions:
Break eggs into bowl and stir until creamy.
Add sugar and continue to stir. Gradually add enough flour to make a stiff
dough.

Roll out between two sheets of lightly floured wax paper to about 3/4"
thickness. Cut into round shapes or whatever shape you choose.

Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
Let stand overnight (10-12 hours).
Bake at 325°F (165°C) until browned and hard.
This will make about twelve durable and almost crumb-free teething biscuits.

Keep in mind that dairy in baked goods is generally fine for baby (drinking milk before 1 year old is not).

Spices may be omitted or substituted as you see fit for YOUR baby. Honey, even in baked goods, is NOT appropriate for children under 12 months old!

Some pediatricians will say that it is ok to use one whole egg in a baked good recipe for an infant over 8 months old who has no history or nor has shown any propensity to food allergies.

BABY CEREAL

Rice Breakfast Pudding

1/2 cup (Brown or Jasmine) Rice (ground down to barley peals size - don't grind if serving to a Toddler who will take the texture)
2 cups water
1/4 cup apples sliced into small dices or slivers
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
1/8 cup brown sugar (optional)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger

1. Combine all of the above ingredients in a medium saucepan.
2. Cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes or until rice is soft, fragrant and a bit soupy
3. Stir 1/8 cup milk into the rice, keep on heat for 10 more minutes. Keep a close watch to ensure that the consistency remains soupy but not pasty.
4. Stir frequently to stop sticking to the pot and add more milk or water if necessary.
5. Serve warm then transfer remaining portion to the fridge.


Pastina and Bananas (8months+)


1. 2 tablespoons Prince Pastina (little tiny star shaped pastas)
2. 1 whole fresh banana)
3. Prepare pastina as directed for hot cereal. Do not add milk. Stir in banana and serve.

Add formula or breastmilk as desired (1 serving)



Baked Apple Cereal

1. Peel, core and cut a small apple into small dices
2. Place in a pan with 1/4 c ground oats and 3/4 c water
3. Bring mixture to a slow boil. Simmer covered, checking frequently, until apples are soft and oatmeal is cooked.
4. Be sure to stir and mash while cooking
5. Mix in formula or breast milk or juice to thin if needed - puree if necessary
(sprinkle a bit of cinnamon in the cereal if your desire and if baby is ready for or has had cinnamon)


Mixed Grain Cereals and More

30 Minute Cream of Grain Cereal

1/4 c. freshly ground brown rice or millet with honey or molasses
cinnamon (leave out honey for under 1yr and molasses is optional!)
pure vanilla extract
1 c. almond milk, sweetened - use plain water for infants!!
1/4 c. raisins (optional)

1. Put almond milk or water, ground grain and raisins in a pot.
2. Bring just to the boiling point, stirring constantly, until the grain flour has absorbed the liquid.
3. Turn off the heat and cover the pot.
4. Put the pot over a double boiler on a low simmer for 20-30 minutes. (or simply turn burner down to low and simmer)

Optional: Add sliced bananas, sliced strawberries, blueberries, peaches and/or nut milk (consult your pediatrician about the use of nut milk prior to using it!).



Oatie Banana Cereal

1/4 cup oatmeal (rolled or ground)
1/2 cup water or milk
1/3 ripe banana
1/4 cup milk (formula may be used here)

1. Combine oatmeal and 1/2 cup of water or milk. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until liquid is mostly absorbed.
2. Remove from heat and cover; let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Mash banana, and add remaining milk or formula, mixing thoroughly. Stir the banana-milk mixture into the cooked cereal.


Barley Cereal

1/4 c. ground barley (barley ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water

1. Bring liquid to a boil. Add the barley and simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly
2. Mix in formula or breast milk or juice and add fruits if desired
3. Serve warm


Rice Cereal

1/4 c. rice powder (brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water

1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
3. Serve warm.


Do I Need to Cook the Powder Before I Serve it?

You need to cook the rice-oatmeal-barley powder prior to serving because when you make your own cereal(s) you are taking a whole grain and grinding it into a powder. This powder should be cooked because the grains were not cooked prior to your processing them into a powder. This powder would not be easily digested if left in it's "raw" state.

Why Doesn't Commercial Baby Cereal Need to be Cooked?

The reason that you don't "cook" commercial baby cereal is that commercial baby cereal is precooked and then dehydrated. Commercial baby cereal is most often made from grain that has been processed and then milled into a flour. You notice this difference when you dump out some "flakes" of commercial cereal(s) and also when you mix up some commercial cereal and find a thin pasty substance in the bowl.

Oatmeal Cereal

1/4 c. of ground oats (do NOT use instant or Quick Cook), ground in blender or food processor
3/4 c. water

1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
3. Serve warm.