How to make baby food

This is so easy I'm doing it more! At first the idea of making my own baby food was slightly overwhelming, but once I tried it I actually had fun.

I used apples this time, but you can use a variety of different fruits and vegetables. Some suggestions would be sweet potatoes, carrots or pears. These are typically safe for babies first foods. The professionals say introduce new foods to baby one at a time and allow 3 days before you try the next food. This makes it easier to identify allergies.

 

How to make baby food:

 

Any type of apples will do. I did two different kinds. First wash the apples and then peel them. Want to learn how check out my post "How to peel an apple". Cut apples into chunks. Quarter each apple. Cut out the core and then cut each quarter in half. This should give you 8 chunks per apple.

 

 

 

Put apples in a pot. Add a cup of water for every 4 pounds of apples. I did a half recipe and only used 1/2 cup of water. Now sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon. You don't need much. Bring to boil then bring temperature to low and allow to simmer for 30 minutes.

Allow this to cool(side note: if you don't the top of your blender will pop off and make a huge mess. Don't believe me..try it!). To speed up the process pour contents in a bowl and put into the fridge. Once cooled add contents into a blender, food processor, bullet etc. Add in sections. I added mine in three parts.

 

 

I grabbed my little test monkey to see how it turned out. From the looks of it I'd say it's a hit!

 

 

For storage pour applesauce into an ice tray. My half recipe filled two ice trays. Freeze them. Once they are frozen, remove them from the ice trays and put them into a plastic bag. Label with contents and date.

 

 

Recipe altered from SmittenKitchen

How to peel an apple

You wouldn't think this would be hard, but it is. Peeling anything can be challenging. Especially without any knowledge how to do so and the wrong dull knife. Tomorrow I'll be showing you how to make some yummy baby food. I used some fresh apples my mom & dad received from a friend. All natural. No pesticides. No preservatives. No hybrid. Not genetically altered. Just good all plain apples of someones tree.

How to peel an apple

To start you'll want to find a pairing knife. This knife has a short blade. It will probably be about the size or shorter than your pinkie finger. Some have a slight bend inward, making it almost look like a beak or a hook. Finding a good knife is very important. So start the hunt!

 

Next grab two bowls. If you have a lot of peeling to do grab the two largest bowls or even a bowl and a paper bag will work. I usually like to set up my peeling station somewhere outside. You'll be sitting for a while so find somewhere you enjoy.

 

Take a firm hold of a (washed) apple. If you are right handed take your left hand and hold the base (bottom) of the apple. In your right hand hold the paring knife. Grip the pairing knife as high up on the handle as you can. You want to grab it as close as you can to the blade. Your thumb will be used as a guide. When you cut the apple you will be applying pressure with the knife, but also with your thumb. Be careful! Pairing knifes are sharp and your thumb is no match!

 

To start peeling you will want to cut the top portion of the apple off so that you are left with a peel that looks like a donut. Drop your peels in one bowl or in the brown bag. The other bowl will be reserved for the peeled apples.

 

 

Next, again using your left hand to hold the base begin at the top of the apple with your right hand and begin peeling clockwise (towards you). Again use your thumb as a guide. As you rotate the apple counter clockwise use your thumb as a guide to follow with your pairing knife.

 

After some practice you will be able to peel as apple easily with little mess. Keep peeling in a circle moving your way down the apple.

 

Once at the bottom do as you did on the top of the apple and remove whats left of the bottom peel in one swipe giving you a donut shaped peel.

 

You did it! When you're done you should have two donut shaped peels and one really long peel. It makes peeling so much faster than the old chunk it out version.