I'm in desperate need of simple baby food recipies! (He is eating finger foods as well.)

Rhianna - posted on 11/19/2012

At Walmart "Dr Brown" Males a device that costs about 3-7 dollars its a bowl with a top a in the top there is a squish er this makes almost any thing your eating baby food also we found if it doesn't squish good we put in in the "net"

there is a ring with a net you will fond in the same section maybe inches away the ring pops up and the food goes into the net so baby never gets a piece too big thees are very durable nets as they are used in our special needs alternative learning center where there are 7 to 10 year old with strong teeth that are not able to break the net; and believe me they try.

I would still keep an eye on him though since you never know.

Sal - posted on 02/25/2012

like so many others have said just what you eat, pop it in the blender, mash with a fork or use as finger food it is the simplest way and gives bub loads of variety and i feel makes them less fussy eaters

Stifler's - posted on 02/25/2012

My kids both eat whatever we eat. If the meat is too tough they just have the veggies or i cut it up small.

Kimberly - posted on 02/25/2012

I used to do simple steamed veggies, so potato, carrot, beans, broc, pumpkin, etc and just mash it all together or just do a few. You can add meat that is pureed to it as well. I also used to give my daughter steamed veggies as finger food and meat cut up really small. You can pretty much give them anything as long as its small enough and no allergies. Try as many new things as you can to hopefully get a baby that will eat lots of different textures and tastes. Some of my daughters fav foods are red capsium, olives, stir fry but she wont touch a mash potato!!!! So good luck with it all

Michelle - posted on 02/24/2012

I have alway fed my babies whatever we had. The best is to just puree or mash up vege's. No need to add anything to it.

Brittney - posted on 02/24/2012

no problem! some of the foods may not be appropriate until hes a little older, but they're great recipes!

Kasey - posted on 02/24/2012

Thanks a ton!

Brittney - posted on 02/24/2012

BREAKFASTS!!!



Toasted Egg Smiles - Yummy and Fun Toddler Egg Breakfast!



Prepare a Frying Pan with either pats of butter or non-stick spray.

1 Slice of Bread, 1 Egg, 1/4 c Milk, Small slice of cheese



Take the bread slice and cut out 2 circles for eyes and a longer curved hole for a mouth below the "eyes".

Butter one side of bread and lay in warmed frying pan, butter side down.

As bread begins to fry, Scramble egg and milk together (OR you may simply crack a whole egg over the bread in the pan without adding milk or scrambling).

Pour scrambled egg over the bread. Flip bread/egg when the egg showing thru the "eyes" and "mouth" becomes firm.



Fry for another 5-10 minutes depending on your cook top temperature.

Prior to taking out of pan, place a strip of cheese over the "eyes" and let melt to give your toasted egg smile some "hair"



Farmer's Breakfast - (Barbara Pratt) You can eat this meal anytime!



2 1/2 cups grated potatoes (about 3 medium potatoes)

1/4 cup margarine or butter –

2 tablespoons milk

6 eggs –

1 cup chopped ham

Seasoning salt and pepper (amount you desire) –

Some Grated cheese (if desired)



Peel and grate the potatoes. Place margarine or butter in frying pan and let melt. Add grated potatoes. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes. In a small mixing bowl, mix the eggs and milk together. Once potatoes are cooked, add ham and eggs.

Stir until eggs are cooked. Sprinkle with cheese then serve.



Cheesy Scrambled Eggs

3 eggs

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup milk

dash of pepper and/or garlic powder (optional)



Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until frothy then pour in a warmed frying pan. Stir as the egg mix is cooking. Eggs are done when firm and not runny.



Add veggies or even crumbled turkey sausage to this recipe if desired.



Wrap Those Eggs



1 flour tortilla

shredded cheese

1 egg

chopped cooked veggies (optional)



Warm the tortilla and scramble the egg in a frying pan.

On the tortilla, spread out the scrambled egg and veggies (if using veggies)

then cover with shredded cheese. Wrap or roll up the tortilla and serve when cheese has melted.

You can cut the wrap in "pinwheels" too.



Pancakes & Waffles



Applesauce Pancakes

1 cup flour –

1/4 teaspoon salt –

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon melted butter –

1/2 cup milk –

1 beaten egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla –

1 1/4 cups applesauce



Sift flour, salt and baking powder into a medium mixing bowl. Combine butter, milk and egg. Stir into dry ingredients. Add vanilla and applesauce; beat well. Spoon batter into a hot, well greased griddle, enough batter to applesauce pancakes about 4 inches in diameter. **Freezes Well**





Pumpkin Pancakes

1 C whole wheat pastry flour - 3/4 C unbleached white flour

1 Tbs baking powder - 1/2 tsp salt (I omitted)

2 tsp cinnamon -1/2 tsp ground ginger -1/4 tsp allspice - 1/4 tsp nutmeg

2 eggs

1 C pureed pumpkin or winter squash

1 tsp vanilla

2 C milk

3 Tbs canola oil



Stir (and sift) together all the dry ingredients in a med. size

bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the pumpkin & vanilla.

Beat in the milk & oil until smooth. Add to flour mixture. Cook as usual! These smelled *wonderful* while cooking....like Christmas! SOURCE: "Beyond the

Moon" cookbook by Ginny Callan **Freezes Well**



Cornmeal Pancakes



1 1/8 cups cornmeal

1/3 cup flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/8 cups low fat buttermilk

shake of cinnamon, nutmeg (optional)



Mix together the cornmeal, flour and baking soda.

Add the egg, buttermilk, vanilla and cinnamon (optional); stir until just mixed.

Pour by 1/4 cup into a hot pan.

Cook the pancakes until bubbles appear, flip.





Extraordinary - Not Ordinary - Breakfast Recipes



Apple Breakfast Bars

1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

2/3 cup dates, chopped

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup orange juice

1 1/2 cups raw apples, shredded



Combine all ingredients. Let stand 10 minutes. Press mixture into 8" x 8" baking dish. Bake at 375? until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Loosen with spatula, and cut into bars while warm. Serve hot for breakfast or snack **Freezes Well**



Breakfast Soup with Toast Fingers

8 oz vanilla yogurt

1 tsp honey**

1/2 Cup cubed banana

1/2 Cup peaches, peeled

1/4 cup wheat germ



Blend together and top with additional wheat germ. Serve with avocado blended with cream cheese on whole grain toast.

Please note that Honey is appropriate only for those who have reached the age of 1 year old and older! For more information regarding Honey and the Infant under 12 months old



LUNCHES!!



PEANUT BUTTER & BANANA GRILLED SANDWICH

** See below for a Note concerning Peanuts and Tree Nuts **



Peanut Butter

Bananas

Whole Grain Bread



Warm frying pan

Lightly butter 2 slices of whole grain bread



When frying pan has warmed, lay one slice of bread butter-side down and spread with peanut butter and thinly sliced bananas

Top with remaining slice of bread; butter side up. Fry and flip sandwich as needed until bread becomes golden and toasted.



"TRADITIONAL" GRILLED CHEESE



Warm frying pan and take out 2 slices of cheese from the fridge

Lightly butter 2 slices of whole grain bread

When frying pan has warmed, lay one slice of bread butter-side down top with 2 slices of cheese and then top with remaining slice of bread;

butter side up. Fry and flip sandwich as needed until bread becomes golden and toasted.



Hide meat and/or veggies in there!! Turkey, Chicken, Cooked Broccoli, Carrot Slivers, Onions, Peppers, Tomatoes or even Green Beans for example!



PASTA SALAD



1 bag of tri-color pasta (shaped in wheels or another "fun" shape if possible)

1 C chopped fresh broccoli

1/4 C sliced black olives

1/2 C baby Carrots, julienne

1/2 C zucchini, sliced thin

1/2 red onion, sliced very thin

2 T olive oil

black pepper and lemon juice (low-fat salad dressing if your choose)



Boil pasta al dente. Sauté broccoli, carrots, zucchini in olive oil until crisp yet tender. Drain & rinse pasta. Combine pasta and vegetables in large bowl and add parmesan cheese to lightly coat. Add black pepper and lemon juice if you wish. Serve warm or cold



PINWHEEL PLATTER



Cheese Slices

Veggie and Fruit sticks or slices

Turkey, Chicken Breast or other Meat Slices ** NATURAL ONLY - CHECK FOR PRESERVATIVES**



Lay meat slices on plate, top with cheese slices and roll into a tube.

Cut the "tube" into separate portions.

If appropriate, use colourful toothpicks to hold the "pinwheel" slices together.

Your toddler will have fun eating the portions from the toothpicks

(you may even lay these out if find them inappropriate!) as if on an hors de vours tray! Add sliced veggies and fruits to your pinwheel platter for colour and variety to tempt the toddler palate!



CHICKEN POTATO CHOWDER



1/3 C. diced and cooked boneless breast or ground chicken

1/4 C. cubed and cooked potato

3 T. shredded mild Cheddar or American cheese

1/4 C. milk

2 tsp. butter

Peas, carrots and/or corn



Mix chicken, veggies, potato, milk, and butter in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Stir in cheese. Serve warm.



CHEESE MELTS



Top a slice of bread, open pita or flour tortilla with the following:

2 tomato slices

Strips of cooked thinly sliced chicken, natural ham, beef or ground turkey sausages, (you may also use tuna fish if your toddler may have fish).

Top off with a slice of cheese (deli style "real" cheese).



Hide some veggies like cooked Broccoli, Carrot Slivers, Onions, Peppers, even Green Beans for example!

Broil in oven or toaster oven until cheese is melted.

Allow to cool prior to serving



NANA'S CREAMED PEAS & NUGGETS



4 cups peas, fresh, frozen (or canned as a last resort)

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons butter

salt and pepper to taste

pieces of chicken, fish, pork or beef



Melt butter in a large sauce pan and whisk in flour- allow to cook for 1 minute.

Slowly add milk, whisking to prevent lumps. Add salt, pepper and other spices as desired. Cook until sauce begins to thicken. Add peas, stir and cook until peas are heated through (about 5-7 minutes) Add meat Serve warm alone or over multi-grain toast. **Other veggies may be added if you desire, however - ensure that ratio of veggies equals 4 cups!**



PUPS IN A BLANKET



One pack of all-beef, or turkey all-natural (or tofu) hot dogs

Puff pastry dough or Ready-to-Bake Crescent Rolls or Lavash or Wraps

Veggies & Cheese



Directions:

In a skillet, cook the (tofu) dogs until they brown and blister- may boil if using meat dogs, while the dough sits out defrosting.

Wrap the dogs in a square of the dough and roll them up like a cigar with veggies & cheese.

Cut into smaller pieces to desired Toddler-friendly size.

In an oven preheated to 375-400 degrees F, bake the rolled dogs for about 25min. or until they are fluffy and golden brown.



Serve with Sweet Potato Fries or Veggie Sticks and Dipping Sauce



TOFU NUGGETS



1 package firm tofu - 1/4 cup flour (more or less)

1 egg equivalent (2 whites or your favorite sub)

1 cup fine dry bread or cracker crumbs (mixtures are fun)

1 teaspoon garlic salt - 1 teaspoon paprika - 1 dash or a few grinds of pepper



Cut tofu into your favorite configuration (my toddler likes fingers).

Spread flour on a small plate or flat dish. Beat egg equivalent in a

shallow dish. Mix remaining ingredients in shallow dish. Turn each

piece of tofu in the flour to cover, then into the egg, then crumbs, and

then to the rack. Chilling will help to set the coating, but you can just bake right away. Bake at 350 degrees F

for 15-20 minutes until crisp. Serve with a dipping sauce







QUICK CHEESY VEGGIE QUESADILLA



1 flour tortilla

2 slices of cheese

chopped cooked veggies



On the tortilla, spread out the veggies then cover with cheese slices

Bake or broil until cheese has melted

If broiling, watch carefully as cheese may burn quickly!





STUFFED PITAS - The greatest for travel as they act like a plate/bowl!



1 whole grain or oat bran pita pocket



Stuffing such as:

cheese, turkey, chicken, peanut butter-n-jelly, hummus, veggies

Cut off one "top" portion of the pita to enable opening

Stuff pita with your choice of ingredients



Warm in toaster oven or microwave if desired (when melting cheesy-veggie pita for example)



Serve with fruit slices, yogurt and drink



SNACKS!!!!



FRUIT SALAD - Fruity Snacky Yum!



Dice Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Grapes (halve or quarter grapes as needed)

Arrange fruits on a plate around a small bowl of plain, spiced or flavoured yogurt for dipping.



May be made into a parfait by layering fruits, then yogurt then fruits then yogurt in a small clear glass or bowl. Top with wheat germ or granola.



STUFFED APPLES



1 large or medium apple - cored but not peeled

Stuff apple with peanut butter, raisins, wheat germ and drizzle with honey, top with coconut or crushed granola

Dig in with a spoon or have fun trying to eat with your hands!

You may wish to microwave the empty cored apple for a few seconds to allow it to soften a bit.



This snack will travel well in a lunchbox or to a play date – the "stuffing" will help retard browning of the apple.





APPLE TOPPED WITH BLUEBERRIES AND MUESLI



Ingredients

2 large apples, peeled and remove seeds - cut into wedges

1 cup frozen blueberries

3/4cup mixed fruit muesli (crush if needed for older babies)

2 tablespoons maple syrup

50g butter, melted

vanilla yogurt to serve (optional) vanilla ice cream or frozen vanilla yogurt if you want to indulge your toddler



Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Lay apple wedges on baking tray and top with raspberries. Sprinkle muesli over, then drizzle with maple syrup and butter. Bake for 15 minutes, or until tops are golden and fruit tender. Serve apple warm with vanilla yogurt.





ANTS ON A LOG - An Old Favorite



Celery sticks filled with either

peanut butter, cream cheese or hummus

and topped with raisins, apple dices, seeds, nuts, banana dices etc..



These are great snacks for Toddlers! Many toddlers will just eat the "filling" and the raisins, which is just fine! Ensure what you add is appropriate for your Toddler





APPLESAUCE GRAHAM CRACKERS



Graham Crackers

Natural Applesauce

Cinnamon

Raisins

Wheat Germ



Mix cinnamon, wheat germ and raisins into the applesauce. Spread over the graham crackers. Use any type of fruit purée you wish!

Using low salt saltines, low-salt Ritz, pita bread slices, or plain rice cakes as your cracker base is just as good!!



YOGURT CEREAL BARS



2 cups corn flakes - 3/4 flour - 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2cup butter or margarine

1 cup flavoured yogurt (banana/strawberry etc..) - 1 egg slightly beaten

2 tablespoons flour

Preheat oven to 350F



Combine cereal, 3/4 cup flour, sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Cut in butter or margarine until coarse crumbs form.

Press 1/2 the mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 8inch square pan.

Mix yogurt, egg and 2 tablespoons flour in another small bowl.

Spread over cereal mixture in pan and then sprinkle the remaining cereal mixture on top

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown; cut into bars when cooled.

Courtesy of Stonyfield Farms Yogurt



Visit our Baby Food site for more "biscuit" and cracker recipes.





ENERGY BALLS



1/4 cup finely grated carrots

1/4 cup rolled oats or Granola*

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1 Tablespoon honey

3 Tablespoons peanut butter



Mix and roll into balls. Easy carrots in the tummy!

*Granola makes these Energy Balls more tasty and adds a nice crunch!



TODDLER TRAIL MIX**



granola

peanuts

raisins

dried fruits

cereal rings (Oatie Os, Cheerios, Gorilla Munch, Barbara's Puffins etc. )

carob or yogurt chips

roasted soy "nuts"

** Mix only those food items that you find appropriate for your Toddler**



HOMEMADE FRUIT JIGGLERS



2 cups fruit juice of your choice (100% Natural Fruit Juice Only!)

3 tsp powdered gelatin

1/4 cup small cubed fruit of your choice



Place 1/4 cup of the juice in a cup; sprinkle gelatin over juice.

Stand cup in a small pan of simmering water, stir until gelatin is dissolved.

Stir gelatin mixture and fruits into remaining juice in a medium bowl or square/rectangular pan.

Refrigerate until firm.



Scoop into a cup or cut into shapes to serve. Let your Toddler help with the cutting of the shapes!

Break out the cookie cutters and make this a Toddler activity!



Back to Top



DIPPIN SAUCES



Peanutty Yogurt Dip (consult your pediatrician about peanut butter!)



1 part plain or vanilla yogurt (1/4 cup)

1/2 part peanut butter (4 tablespoons)

honey to drizzle on top



Blueberry Yogurt Dip



1 part plain or vanilla yogurt (1/4 cup)

1/2 part blueberry puree or 100% natural blueberry preserves (4 tablespoons)

honey to drizzle on top



Honey of a Hummus



1 can drained chick peas (garbanzo beans)

1 cup tahini (add more or less until you get the desired consistency)

1/4 cup honey



In a blender or food process or add chick peas, honey and tahini; blend until you get the desired consistency



Appley-Yogurt Dip



1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup Natural applesauce



Mix yogurt and applesauce and dip in your favorite fruits - some Toddlers even love this for dipping veggies!





CROCK-POT BREAD PUDDING (2 toddler thumbs up from us!!)



4 cups French bread cubes, toasted - 2 1/2 cups milk, scalded, cooled slightly

2 eggs, beaten - 3/4 cup sugar - 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon - dash nutmeg

dash salt - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 tablespoons melted butter

1/2 cup raisins, optional (chopped apples are great too!)

dessert sauce or whipped cream for garnish



Prep:

Lightly butter the slow cooker then add bread cubes. In a small bowl, whisk together the scalded milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla, and melted butter. Pour milk mixture over the bread cubes then add raisins, if desired. Gently, using a large spoon or spatula, press bread cubes down into mixture so all bread pieces will soak up milk mixture. Do not stir. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 5 to 6 hours, until bread pudding is set. Serve - with Frozen Vanilla Yogurt!





QUICK -N- EASY SMOOTHIE



1 cup 100% nothing added fruit juice

1 cup plain, vanilla or fruited yogurt (not with fruit on the bottom!)



Place yogurt and juice in lidded container/cup and shake until mixed well

Pour into Toddler's cup



FROZEN BAN-OLA



1 medium sized banana - peeled

1/2 cup crushed granola

plain or vanilla yogurt (blueberry yogurt is yummy too!)



Dip banana in your choice of yogurt

Roll banana in crushed granola

Place in freezer bag and freeze. May be eaten without being frozen also



DINNERS!!!



CHICKEN STICKS

Making spicy chicken breasts for dinner and your toddler won't touch it? Try chicken sticks!



Thinly sliced strips of chicken breast

yogurt - plain

crushed cereal - shredded wheat, cheerios, corn flakes, honey oat cereal



Roll chicken strips in yogurt then coat with crushed cereal of your choice. Bake on lightly greased baking sheet at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until done. Serve with a dippin sauce and the family veggies.



Here's an idea, push a popsicle stick through the chicken prior to baking and have chicken really on a stick; little kids love this!





MEAT & EGG DROP SOUP

Having Chicken/Beef/Fish and rice for dinner but your toddler won't eat the meat? Try this easy recipe using what you have already made!



2 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup cooked rice

1 or 2 2 eggs (both whites & yolks), beaten

Here's a Tip:

Take your Toddler to the grocery store and let him or her pick out foods for dinner.

Involve your Toddler in all aspects of mealtime to help promote healthy eating!



Lemon Juice (optional)

Pepper



Stir broth & rice together in saucepan, bringing to a boil. Add eggs & continue to stir until eggs have cooked.

Add some meat cubes and lemon juice & pepper as desired You may thicken this up by using less broth and

more rice to make it a "stew" type dish. Serve with bread and the family veggies.



TOMATO & HAMBURGER



1 cup cooked hamburger (use ground turkey for a more healthy meal!)

1 1/4 cup cooked macaroni noodles

1/2 cup ketchup - add full can of tomatoes instead of ketchup if you like

1/8 cup tomato sauce

1/2 can tomatoes (stewed tomatoes are nice!)

dash Worcester sauce

1/3 cup cooked peas

1/3 cup cooked carrots



Combine ketchup, sauce, tomatoes and Worcester sauce. add hamburger and

noodles, peas and carrots. Serve warm.





Stir interest in dinner by making your Toddler's plate more fun.



Make a mashed potato snowman using an ice cream scoop to scoop 3 mashed potato balls - corn for eyes, string bean for mouth, carrots for buttons. Arrange the rest of dinner around the "snowman".



Serve your Toddler dinner on a colorful plate and arrange the food in a circle, putting your Toddlers favorite food in the middle.



Break out the dippin sauce during dinner time (try to encourage use of utensils with the older Toddler) and allow your Toddler to dip his foods.





Try these ideas as well to stir some interest in dinner!



NOODLE IT!

Few Toddlers will resist a plate full of noodles for a meal. Making some noodles to go with the family dinner may be just the thing to get your Toddler to eat her dinner.



CHEESE IT!

Grated cheese may be one of the best eating temptations around. Sprinkle cheese on your Toddler's veggies, rice, potatoes and noodles.



SAUCE/DIP IT!

Offer dips and sauces with your Toddler's dinner - tempting and very easy to toss on the table!



The Glorious Divided Dish (or the Mighty Muffin Tin)

1 divided dish, divided plastic storage container or muffin tin

diced fruits or diced veggies

yogurt dip

pita chips or toast points



Fill the compartments of your divided dish/container or muffin tin with the above ingredients and leave out on the table- ensure this is in easy reachable access to Toddlers.



Rice Cake Fiesta - Rice cakes are great grazin' foods and they are available in whole grain, unsalted versions too!



Prepare rice cakes with your Toddler's favorite spread or dip. Grate an apple, carrot and/or other fruits and veggies over the rice cake. Colour and taste to tempt the Toddler to slow down and refuel!



Cracker Smackers

Whole grain crackers - unsalted

Toddler's favorite spread or dip (we like peanut butter for this one!)

1 grape or 2 raisins or 2 Cheerios or 1 cube of cheese



Spread dip or spread on the crackers and top a cracker with 1 grape, another cracker with 2 raisins, another cracker with 2 Cheerios and yet another cracker with 1 cube of cheese. Make as many of these as you feel your Toddler will eat. It's the variety that will catch her eye and tempt her to at least nibble each cracker.



Cottage Cheese Dippers

Cottage Cheese

Fruit Dices

Whole Grain Bread Sticks or Toasted Pita Chips



Blend cottage cheese with dices of peaches, dices of pears or blueberries in a small dish. Arrange cottage cheese blend on a larger dish and ring with bread sticks or pita chips. Place the arrangement in a larger bowl that is filled 1/4 of the way with ice cubes. Have your Toddler help with the ice cubes and tell him how the ice cubes will change when the Grazin snack is ready to be put away. This will keep outside the fridge for approx. 1 hour.

When you clean up, talk to your Toddler about how the ice has melted and turned back into water. Science and grazing together!







I love this website! http://www.wholesometoddlerfood.com/inde...