Simply Baby Food Recipes

Apple Smash Smoothie - Toddler Smoothies

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:47:00 +0000

Here is a YUMMY smoothie recipe. I used to get this smoothie at the workout facility I used to go to. The juice bar went out of business but we were still enjoying this at our house!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 Banana
Sqeeze of Honey
1/2 cup coconut milk (or 2 tablespoon grated coconut)
1/2 cup Frozen Vanilla Yogurt
1/2 cup Ice

Add all ingredients into blender, adding the ice last. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately and have some yourself!

Warning: This recipe contains HONEY and therefore should NOT be given to children under 12 months old. In fact, please consult with your pediatrician prior to making this or omit the honey.

Mika's Shrimp Fritters with Garlic Butter Corn - Homemade Toddler Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:08:00 +0000

Recipe and Photo by Tamika Gardner

Judging from these recipes, one might think my kids eat everything. Well, they don't! They are just like most children who are 2-3 years old. Picky! I do try to make new and exciting meals for them to try, and eventually they come around. Today I made Shrimp Fritters and Garlic Butter Corn for the family. For, my toddler, I simply diced up the shrimp and tossed it in with the corn. Which, by the way, was the only way he'd eat it. Needless to say, he loved it! And he is the pickiest of eaters.

Here is the uncut version of the fritters!

Photo by Tamika Gardner

Now for the recipe. Serves 2 toddlers

Ingredients:

8-10 jumbo shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1 egg

1 cup flour

2 tablespoons Tones Seafood Seasoning

For Corn:

1 cup frozen corn

1 tablespoon butter

Canola Oil (for pan frying)

Lawry's Garlic Salt (to taste)

Note: Tones Seafood Seasoning can be found at Sam's Club or your local grocery store. As a substitute, mix together 2 tsp each of sea salt, dill, pepper, and garlic powder.

Directions:

Prepare simultaneously.

Add oil to frying pan (about 1 inch from bottom) and set on medium-high. Remove tail from shrimp. Rinse in cool water. Set aside. Add flour and seasoning to mixing bowl. Add egg to small bowl. Dip Shrimp in egg and then dredge in flour. Add to hot oil until golden brown on one side and turn once.

Saute corn with butter and garlic salt. Serve.

Grilled Cheese Melts - Homemade Toddler Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:18:00 +0000

Recipe and Photo by Tamika Gardner

My family loves butter croissants! And this grilled cheese melt literally melts in your mouth. I purchase the large butter croissants from Sam's Club. You can also find them at WalMart. They are only a few dollars and they come 12 in a pack in the bakery department. They freeze extremely well and can be used when you need them! So there is no waste.

Serve this dish with your kids favorite soup for a very tasty meal.

Here is the recipe for Grilled Cheese Melts
(Makes 1 sandwich)

Ingredients:

1 butter croissant
2 slices American Cheese
Butter Spread

Directions:

Cut croissant in half lengthwise. Spread butter on each half. Grill in a pan on top of the stove for a few minutes, butter side down, until toasty. Turn over, and add 1 slice of cheese to each half. Combine into one sandwich and continue to grill until cheese has softened. Remove from heat. Microwave for 10 seconds. Cut in half and serve.

Sweet Potato Fries - Homemade Toddler Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:28:00 +0000

Recipe by Tamika Gardner

Sweet Potatoes are in season in the fall so it's time to find ways to use them up! Here is my recipe for sweet potato fries.

Ingredients:

1 pound sweet potatoes, scrubbed and skinned
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Cut potato into circles (be careful not to cut to thick). If you have a crinkle cutter, you will get crinkle fries! In a large plastic bag, combine oil and salt. Add sweet potatoes and shake to coat. Lay out potatoes on baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes, and turn over halfway through baking.

Serve warm.

Yummy Yam for The Wean Machine

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:48:00 +0000

Used with Permission.

Peel and dice sweet potato into 1cm cubes and cook in water for 15 minutes until soft, once cooked and cooled, fill The Wean Machine two thirds full, squeeze and feed (add a little water or formula if necessary) - always check the temperature of the food before feeding.

Juicy Strawberry and Banana for The Wean Machine

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:48:00 +0000

Used with Permission.

Place two 1 inch chunks of banana and either one large strawberry or two or three juicy strawberries into The Wean Machine, squeeze and feed! If baby is still hungry repeat until full-up!!

Cauliflower and Potato for The Wean Machine

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:46:00 +0000

Used with Permission.

Peel and dice potato into 1cm cubes and cook in water for 10 minutes the add a floret of cauliflower, cook for a further 7 minutes once cooked and cooled, fill The Wean Machine two thirds full, squeeze and feed (add a little water or formula if necessary) - always check the temperature of the food before feeding.

Carrot Charm for The Wean Machine

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:45:00 +0000

Used with Permission.

Peel and dice carrot into 1cm cubes, cover in water and cook for 15 minutes until soft, once cooked and cooled, fill The Wean Machine two thirds full, squeeze and feed (add a little water if necessary) - always check the temperature of the food before feeding.

Carmel Apple Sweet Potatoes - Homemade Toddler Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:23:00 +0000

Recipe by Tamika Gardner

For 12 months and up

Sweet potatoes and apples taste great together, and the caramel sauce just really sets this recipe off. This could be given as a desert or side dish. Suitable for toddlers. For babies, omit the caramel sauce.

Ingredients:

1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced

1 medium sweet potato (baked)

1 tablespoon butter

Dab of cinnamon
Carmel dessert topping (I prefer Smuckers).

Directions:

Bake sweet potato in oven until nice and soft (about 45 minutes) on 375 degrees. Meanwhile, saute diced apple in a saucepan with butter and cinnamon until tender. Slit the sweet potato open down the center and stir the inside away from the skin. Top with cooked apples and add caramel desert topping. Serve Warm. Yummy!

Adorable Apple - Recipes for The Wean Machine™

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:47:00 +0000

Peel and core a sweet apple, cut into 1cm cubes , cover in water and cook for 5 minutes until soft, once cooled, fill The Wean Machine two thirds full, squeeze and feed (add a little water if necessary).

This recipe was used with permission.

Apple & Bananas - Semi-Homemade Baby Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:17:00 +0000

Recipe by Tamika Gardner.
I have found that although many moms are making their own baby food, it is also a very good idea to keep a few jars of baby food on hand. You never know when you may experience a power outage, or be somewhere for long periods of time unexpectedly (like if your car stalls in the middle of no where or if your doctor's visit has turned into a waiting room nightmare).

I made my own baby food but I had plenty of jars stocked in my pantry. Later I found that if I was out of a particular puree that I had previously frozen, I would just use a jar of baby food and add a fresh food to it! It really adds freshness to the jar and an extra boost of nutrients.

My kids were Gerber babies but you can use any brand of baby food.

Now here is what I call Semi-Homemade Baby Food because I love Sandra Lee's show!

Ingredients:
1 jar of 2nd stage Gerber apples.

Mashed banana (about 1/4 of a medium banana)

Directions:

Mash about 1/4 of a banana with a fork. Add jar of apples and mix well.

Directions for preparing using The Wean Machine:

If you are using The Wean Machine, simply add the banana, squeeze, add jar of apples, and stir.

Banana Bonanza - Recipes for The Wean Machine™

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:46:00 +0000

If you were at the Bellies and Babies Expo last month, you saw me demonstrate how to make fresh banana for your baby using The Wean Machine. Moms were lined up at my table before I had a chance to wash off my utensils because they wanted this product!

You can find more information about The Wean Machine by visiting this link http://www.thebabychefstore.com/The_Wean_Machine_p/jbwm100.htm.

Here are the directions for Banana Bonanza!

Place two or three 1 inch chunks of banana into The Wean Machine, squeeze and feed! If baby is still hungry repeat until baby is full-up!!

This recipe was used with permission.

Sauteed Garlic & Dill Green Beans - Homemade Baby Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:16:00 +0000

This green bean recipe tastes great! Even my 3 year old, who refuses to eat the skinny green beans, found these wide green beans delectable! The dill in this recipe really sets it off and even the pickiest eaters may be tempted to try it and like it!

For this recipe, I found a frozen bag of Italian green beans at Walmart. They are the cut green beans that are wide and not skinny. If you can't find the wide beans, I'm sure frozen cut french beans will work fine as well. Do not substitute with canned beans! It will not come out good. Use fresh or frozen.

Ingredients:

2 cups Italian green beans (frozen)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tablespoon butter
Dill seasoning
Garlic powder
Salt (optional for toddlers)

In a skillet or saute pan, add olive oil, a sprinkle of garlic powder and dill seasoning until hot. Add green beans. Saute until beans are tender. Stir in butter. Puree for younger babies.

For toddlers, serve as finger food and add a dash of salt if you desire. I recommend Morton's Lite Salt.

For babies 9 to 12 months, you will need to thaw the green beans before you saute them to be sure they are tender enough to process through your blender or electric food mill.

Instant Cheese Grits - 10 months to Toddler

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Recipe and Photo by Tamika Gardner

My 22-month old son loves cheese grits. I make them for the family a couple of times a week. I started giving him grits at around 10-months old without the cheese and then gradually added cheese. If you use shredded Cheddar Cheese, adding too much shredded cheddar cheese can make the grits very stringy and will be hard for your child to swallow. So take care not to over cheese it.

Also, I started off using the regular Quaker grits. However, the regular grits are more "gritty" than the instant kind. So now I use instant grits which are creamy and smooth and better for small children in my opinion.

Grits are great for introducing your child to new textures.

Here is my recipe for Instant Cheese Grits for babies and toddlers:

Ingredients:
1 package instant grits (I prefer Quaker but you can use generic brands)
1 slice of Deli-Style American Cheese (or shredded cheddar)

Unsalted Butter
Salt (optional)
Pepper (optional)

Directions:
Prepare grits according to package directions. If your grits are too thick, add water. The mixture should be the consistency of cottage cheese. Break the slice of cheese into pieces and add to grits. Microwave for 20 seconds more. Add butter, salt, and pepper and stir well. Serve warm.

Parmesan Asparagus Puree - Homemade Baby Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:39:00 +0000

Recipe by Tamika Gardner

Here is a tasty asparagus recipe for your baby. The butter and garlic really boosts the nutritional value of this vegetable and provides the fatty acids needed to promote healthy brain development.

Ingredients:

6 fresh aparagus spears, trimmed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1/4 grated fresh parmesan cheese
cooled boiled water

Directions:

Place asparagus in a baking dish and drizzle with butter. Add parmesan cheese. Bake asparagus at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until tender. Remove from oven and cut spears so that they fit into your food mill or food processor. Puree while adding water until desired consistency is reached.

Blueberry Muffins Bonanza - Homemade Toddler Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:45:00 +0000

Recipe by Tamika Garder

These scrumptious blueberry muffins are filled with powerful antioxidants and are equally nutritious as they are delicious! It took me a few times to make this recipe just right. I will never purchase blueberry muffins again!

This makes a huge batch so either freeze the rest, eat them, or package them up and give them away.

Ingredients:

1 package cream cheese (I used 1/3 less fat, but you can use regular if you like)
1 stick unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Juice from 1 small lemon
Lemon Zest (a few scrapes)
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour

Directions:

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

1. Cream butter, cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla, and sugar in a large mixer bowl until smooth.

2. Add flour, eggs, milk, baking powder, baking soda, and lemon zest. Blend well.

3. Fold in blueberries.

4. Spray muffin pan with non-stick spray (or use muffin cups). Tip: I used the muffin pan from the Pampered Chef. My muffins come out delicious every time because it bakes evenly. If you have a stoneware muffin pan, use it!

5. Bake until brown and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

6. Remove from pan and repeat steps 4-6 for remaining batter.

Zwieback Biscuits

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:58:00 +0000

Is your baby teething yet? Here is a good recipe for teething babies. This recipe is recommended for babies over 10 months old.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup breast milk or whole milk (for babies over 12 months)
3 cups unbleached flour
1 envelope active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 unbeaten eggs

Heat the milk until very hot, but not boiling. Set aside and let it cool to lukewarm.

Add yeast to the milk. Stir until well blended and let it rest for 6 minutes.

Add the sugar, butter, anise (or cinnamon) and eggs. Stir until well blended. Add enough flour to handle the dough. Knead on floured surface until smooth, adding flour as needed. Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into strips 1 inch wide, then cut the strips to 3 inches long. Place on a buttered cookie sheet, 1 and a half inches apart. Let rise again for 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Bake biscuits for 20 minutes. Set on wire rack to cool.

Makes about 18.

This recipe was reprinted with permission from www.recipegoldmine.com

Kids Homemade Ketchup

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:01:00 +0000

Out of ketchup? Here is a good ketchup recipe to accompany any of my baby and toddler recipes!

Kids Homemade Ketchup

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
dash onion powder (optional)
dash garlic powder (optional)

Directions:

Boil all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

Baked Sweet Potatoes - 6 months to Toddlers

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:31:00 +0000

We love sweet potatoes in our household! There are so many things that you can do with them! For my son Troy II, I like to add cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter (and sometimes pineapple, marshmallow, or caramel sauce!). He is now 19 months old. When he was about 7 months old, I
gave him sweet potatoes with butter (unsalted) but I did not add any spices. To serve sweet potatoes as a desert, you can add a splash of orange juice and marshmallows. Or top with a wee bit of caramel dessert sauce for an extra treat!

I had a lot of fun using my electric food mill with this recipe because it blends so smooth. The trays shown above are the Kidco Food Trays with Lids. I use both the Kidco Trays and the Baby Cubes. The Kidco trays are nice because they have lids and you can pop them out and store the cubes in freezer bags. The cubes fit perfectly in the Kidco feeding dish into 3 portions, so you can serve your baby a balanced meal! I love it!

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

3-4 large sweet potatoes
Unsalted Butter
Cinnamon
Nutmeg

Directions:

Scrub potatoes and bake on 350 degrees for about 45 minutes (or until potatoes are tender and oozing out). Scoop potatoes out of skin and blend in food mill or blender. Add butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg to desired taste and consistency. To thin potatoes, add a little filtered water.

You can find both the Electric Food Mill and the Kidco Freezer Trays at www.TheBabyChefStore.com.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken - Homemade Baby Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:04:00 +0000

Recipe and Photos by Tamika Gardner

Yesterday the family had Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast and Sauteed Broccoli. You can find my recipe for Sauteed Broccoli under "Seasoned Veggie Recipes."

This grinded up so beautifully in the Electric Baby Food Mill and I had leftovers so I froze a batch! Here is the recipe:
Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast:
Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breast (uncooked)
1 cup italian bread crumbs
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup diced scallions
1 cup milk
Nonstick cooking spray
Sauteed Broccoli puree
Directions:
Generously spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Combine bread crumbs, cheese, and scallions in shallow dish. Dip each chicken breast in milk and then coat both sides with cheese mixture. Place each breast in baking dish and spray the top with cooking spray. Bake for 20-25 minutes on 375 degrees.

Add sauteed broccoli and chicken breast to food mill or blender and puree to desired consistency. For toddlers, cut up chicken breasts into chunks.

The Wean Machine Portable Baby Food Maker

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:17:00 +0000

The Wean Machine from Paul Hardy on Vimeo.

The Wean Machine helps prepare baby food wherever you are. It purees anything from a banana to a selection of food from a plate, without the fuss of setting up a blender, or the potential mess of mashing with a fork; it can be used when out for lunch just as easily as if you were at home.

Helps through each stage of weaning solid foods.
Easy to use – just fill, squeeze and feed!
Saves time and money, no need to cook separate meals.
Portable, compact and self contained, including a spoon.
Fits in all leading sterilizers.
Comes easily apart and is dishwasher safe.
Contains no BPA’s, Phthalates or PVC and helps reduce food miles.

One of the many benefits of The Wean Machine is that you know exactly what is going into baby’s food - ideal for use with soft fruits, cooked vegetables, pasta dishes and many more – it is suitable for feeding babies at all weaning stages, just fill, squeeze and feed, there is no fuss, no mess, and no noise!

The Wean Machine is now in stock and ready to ship at The Baby Chef Store for $19.99.

Get yours today before they sell out! People have been waiting for months for this product! Visit www.TheBabyChefStore.com.

Buttered Pea Puree - Homemade Baby Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Sat, 02 May 2009 20:03:00 +0000

Recipe by Tamika Gardner

I'm sure you all are figuring out that I add butter to many of my baby recipes. I'm like Paula Deen, I add real butter (not margarine or the fake stuff) to almost everything (in moderation!). When it comes to my babies, I have to make sure they are getting the right amount of fat and amino acids in their diets for proper brain development! So bring on the butter!

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh or frozen peas (if in pods, shell and discard pods)

Dab of butter (optional)

Directions:

Bring peas to a boil. Simmer for about 7 - 10 minutes. Drain peas, but leave a little cooking liquid. Add butter. Blend buttered peas in a blender or food mill. Gradually, add cooking liquid to thin the puree if it is too thick.

Directions for The Wean Machine:
Cook peas following directions above. Add buttered peas to wean machine. Squeeze and feed! Add cooking liquid, breastmilk, or formula to thin.

Making in batches?
Double or triple this recipe, follow cooking directions above, and freeze in ice cube trays or baby cubes.

Cheesy Cauliflower Puree - Homemade Baby Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Sat, 02 May 2009 19:53:00 +0000

Recipe by Tamika Gardner

This is a basic cauliflower puree that can be mixed with other puree cubes you may already have in your freezer such as broccoli, squash, or carrots.

This is very flavorful and yummy for baby!

Ingredients:

2 cups cauliflower florets (fresh is best)

Sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese

dab of butter

Directions:

Steam cauliflower florets or boil until tender (about 10 minutes). Drain. Add butter and cheese. Blend into a puree. Add water or breastmilk/formula if needed to reach desired consistency.

Note: If you are freezing big batches of this recipe, do not add formula.

Rainbow Cantaloupe Popsicles

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:29:00 +0000

Recipe by Tamika Gardner

This is a wonderful fat-free recipe for children using Rainbow Sherbert and Cantaloupe. I had a big bowl of it the other day and thought my kids would love the combination made like a popsicle. They did! The cantaloupe really adds a nice flavor to the Rainbow Sherbert (raspberry, lime and orange).

Here is the recipe:

1 cup very ripe cantaloupe (use more or less depending on how many you are making)
2 cups rainbow sherbert - softened

Add both ingredients to a blender and blend thoroughly. Add mixture to Popsicle molds and freeze until set.

I used the Healthy Snack Popsicle Tray found at www.TheBabyChefStore.com, because the size of the popsicles are perfect for little hands and mouths.

Try this out and let me know what you think! For adults, just use cut up cantaloupe with the sherbert or make ice cream bowls out of the cantaloupe. It is very refreshing! I can't wait to have more.

Baby Muesli - Homemade Baby Food

info@simplybabyfoodrecipes.com (Tamika Gardner) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:40:00 +0000

Muesli is a tasty and nutritious breakfast for your baby. You can also add banana to this recipe for a nutritional boost.

Ingredients:

1/2 small apple - peeled, cored, and grated
1/4 cup 100% apple juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped dried apricots
2 tablespoons rolled oats

Directions:

Mix together oats and apricots in small bowl. Add apple juice. Soak for about 5 minutes until soft. Add mixture to blender and puree for a fine texture. Add grated apple and serve.