I write this coming off of a grocery purchase where I just bought baby food. This is hilarious to me considering the fact that both of my girls have maybe eaten a collective five jars of baby food in their entire lifetime. I've always thought that people would make more homemade baby food if they had any idea how easy it really is. I mean, if I can find time to make it, anyone can. I've tried many different ways -- steaming, baking, crockpot, etc. I still really like the baking method for stone fruits, squash and the steaming method for vegetables, but the recipe I have really perfected is homemade baby applesauce in a variety of flavors. (My kids really like a combination of apple pear and pumpkin the best.) My 16 month old still has this homemade applesauce puree EVERY morning with baby oatmeal. My nearly 4 year old has it several times a week for a bed time snack. I love that they love eating it so much. Even on a day where I feel like we have not eaten as nutritiously as we should, I can at least know that they've both downed a huge bowl of something homemade and super healthy.
After making this about a thousand time, I have it down to a science. Here's how you do it...
1. Fill crockpot with your favorite fruits (canned pumpkin is a great addition) and spices.
(Here I have used apples, pears and cinnamon. It honestly improves the flavor if you use a variety of different apple and pear types, but don't worry about it if you only have one variety. I aso threw in a banana that my kid didn't finish eating at the last minute. Some other things to try are just apples, apples and peaches, peaches and pears, apple and pumpkin.)
2. Let cook on low until the fruit is very tender. (Apples take the longest.)
3. Transfer to blender or food processor and puree.
4. Freeze individual servings in ice cube trays or muffin tins. (I actually find that silicone muffin wrappers are BY FAR the easiest to deal with.)
5. Transfer to food storage bag and store in freezer until ready to use.
The finished product!
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awesome! thanks. what an easy way to make a fruit puree.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea. Even working moms can make this. Thanks, Doylene
ReplyDeleteI have made A LOT of baby food in my time (I'm due with girl #5 in 6 weeks), but I never thought to use the crockpot with just a bunch of cut up fruits like that (though I have made crockpot applesauce--just never thought of this)! That's a great idea. I prefer using ice cube trays because I hate washing out my mini-muffin pans--this way I can throw the ice cube trays in the dishwasher.
ReplyDeleteAnd adding the banana didn't make it nasty? I've never done banana baby food, just mashed that by hand at the time of eating. And the idea of adding in pumpkin (or maybe squash?) puree with the fruits is good, too. I can't wait to try it for this baby (or even for a twist on homemade applesauce for the 4 big girls!). Healthy and easy, thanks!
You can save even more time by leaving the skin on the apples & pears and running it through a food mill instead of a blender/food processor.
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