Re: Mom's that make their own baby food - question for ya...

The baby food cookbooks are definitely helpful. I just picked a random one up at Barnes and also got some recipes off Martha's website. I am by no means a cook so I had to learn things from the internet like how to peel peaches, plums, pears etc. Let me tell you baby food is SUPER easy and everyone is so impressed?!

For steaming the veggies, I bought a steamer for $8 from Kohls. or maybe it was $14, anyway super cheap and mine is a steamer/rice cooker. THe directions in the steamer pamphlet told me how much water to add depending on which vegetable/fruit with their little handy dandy measuring cup. Pour the water in, put the little basket in, throw my peeled veggies or fruits on top. Press the cook button and it automatically flipped off when done (although I have to say, peas cooked faster than the machine realized)

Throw the steamed food and left over water into the blender that I got for my bridal shower and Voila! Baby food!

The only note I have is I am an idiot and put sweet potatoes in the blender. they were much much too hard to mix and it started smoking! then I realized I could easily mush them up by hand. Yay!

Also, get ice cube trays to put the blended food in and then you just pop them out and put them in ziplocs.

Baby Food just made last for 2 days in the fridge. I believe frozen bags were 2 months, but could be longer. The baby food books will tell you.

Enjoy!

Re: Mom's that make their own baby food - question for ya...

PS the Waldbaums by me had terrible vegetable selection so we did frozen ones too!

PPS steamed the plumbs and added the water and wound up making juice! Mix with cereal- no worries

Re: Mom's that make their own baby food - question for ya...

Wow - I knew there would be a wealth of information from the mommies here but this is amazing!!! Thank you all so much! Seriously - I could cry I appreciate the advice and tips so much. I am so going to do this and do it well

Liza - I am in Nassau but my blender and I can travel

Re: Mom's that make their own baby food - question for ya...

Honestly, making Ava's babyfood was a lot easier than having to buy those jars all time and I work full time.

That being said:

1. What books do you recommend (especially with recipes)?

Annabel Karmel cookbook, but I just pureed what we ate

2. What jars/storage do you use?

I bought little 4oz. tupperwares and froze in there, then popped them out and put in freezer bags. I also did the ice cube trays for a while.

3. What kitchen equipment/tools are helpful and/or necessary?

The Magic Bullet was the best gift I ever got. It was small and had a ton of attachments, so I could stick the dirty ones in the dishwasher and not have to keep washing the same one. It made making multiple things a lot easier. It's so small and portable. LOVED IT!

4. How long does the food last?

I would make a week's worth at a time, but if you freeze it, I would use it up in a month's time. You could go longer than that.

5. How long and what way do you store it (do you freeze it)?

6. Any helpful tips and advice?

Yes, just puree what you are eating so that you don't have to make anything special. The Magic Bullet is a lifesaver. Don't be afraid of strong tasting foods for him.

Re: Mom's that make their own baby food - question for ya...

Bump for Bayla