Baby-led weaning recipes: 6 MTHS

Breakfasts|Savouries|Desserts

SAVOURIES

Sweet Potato Fries

• 1 medium size sweet potato
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• vegetable oil cooking spray

1. Peel the potato and cut it into strips, 3 or 4 in long and around 1/4 in thick.
2. Place the strips in a bowl, spray lightly with the cooking spray then add the cinnamon. Toss together.
3. Cover a baking tray with foil and arrange the sweet potato strips in a single layer.
4. Bake at 350 deg F (180 deg C) for 45 mins, until tender.
5. Try serving these fries with a homemade applesauce dip!

Cheese and Vegetable Pancakes

• 2 medium white potatoes
• 1 medium carrot
• 3 oz grated Cheddar cheese
• 1 garlic clove, crushed (optional)
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp whole wheat flour
• little olive oil

1. Peel and coarsely grate the potatoes and the carrot, then press with kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
2. In a bowl, combine the grated potatoes and carrots with the cheese, garlic, egg yolk and flour.
3. Mix thoroughly.
4. Warm the oil in a frying pan/skillet over medium heat. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil and flatten on top (so they resemble mini pancakes).
5. Fry for 2 mins, then turn and fry for a further 2-3 mins, until the pancakes are golden brown.

Pasta with Butternut Squash Sauce

• 4 oz pasta bows (or your baby's favourite pasta shape, preferably whole grain)
• 4 oz roasted butternut squash
• pinch nutmeg
• pinch sage
• unsweetened apple juice

1. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the pack.
2. Meanwhile, blend the squash with the nutmeg and sage, then add enough apple juice to give a 'saucy' consistency.
3. Warm through and serve as a dip to accompany the cooked pasta.

Egg and Avocado Sandwiches

• 1/2 ripe avocado

• 1 hard boiled egg

• wholemeal bread

1. Mash the avocado until smooth
2.Separate the egg yolk from the rest of the egg and mash well. Mix with the mashed avocado
3. Spread on to the bread to make a sandwich and cut into squares OR lightly toast wholemeal bread and cut into fingers and serving the egg/avocado as a dip.

Alternatives to wholemeal bread include lightly toasted bagel (wonderful for dipping as bagels do not break up easily) or pieces of pitta bread.

Roasted root veg trio

1. Peel the vegetables and cut them into cubes. If you are using organic produce, you may scrub the vegetables (leaving the skins on) for babies who are confidently chewing (do however, be aware that some babies may have difficulty in digesting peel - therefore , watch carefully for any sign of digestive comfort)

2.Place the cubes in a bowl and toss with the olive oil and thyme, if using

3.Tip the veggies into a roasting tin and cook at 375 degrees F (190 deg C) for around 45 minutes, until the vegetables are tender

4. Cool to a safe temperature and serve warm, sprinkled with the cheese.

Baby-led weaning recipes for 6 mths: Breakfasts|Savouries|Desserts

Baby-led weaning recipes for 8 mths: Breakfasts|Savouries|Desserts

About the author

Christine Albury has four children (from 3 to 13) and has cooked for them all, so over the years she's amassed heaps of recipes! Christine says"I'm committed to cooking with fresh and healthy ingredients and also to encouraging a sophisticated palate from an early age. I don't subscribe to the theory that baby food has to be bland - and, judging from readers' responses to my site (www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com) - many other parents feel the same! Instead, I suggest that parents experiment with herbs and aromatic spices (not salt) to create meals that are nutritious AND tasty!"

Where to next?

• Baby-led weaning - what's it all about and how to do it.
• Have any recipe suggestions of your own? Share your culinary experiences on our Feeding discussion board.