Simple Natural Living: Making Your Own Baby Food (Part 3. How To, From Start To Finish)

Good morning! Or possibly afternoon/evening? Either way, welcome to the last installment of this little homemade baby food series. Drea and I have both admitted that these baby related posts make us feel a bit silly considering that our kids are now 3 & 4. But still, we wanted to share these important food factswith you and show you how easy it can be to get started making your own baby food at home. It really is incredibly easy (my kitchen skills don't come anywhere near Drea's and I still managed to pull it off.) So, here it is, part three: how to, from start to finish.

First, pick your produce. I found it easiest to prepare one type of fruit or vegetable at a time, but you can certainly add a few things together if you'd like. After you've made your selection, give it a good wash. Hold the produce under running water and gently rub the surface. You can use a produce brush for foods with a tough skin/surface. (Tip: only wash your fruits and veggies right before using them. Washing and then storing can promote the growth of bacteria.) When you're done washing it's time to chop. Make sure you are using a clean, sharp knife. Chop or dice into small pieces.

Next, put all the chopped up pieces into a strainer or colander. Place the strainer/colander into a pot (see above illustration) filled with about 2 cups of water. Put a lid on and turn the heat up to high. Once the water is boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Leave the lid ON. The time needed will vary depending on what you're steaming. So, I just check on it periodically and poke it with a fork to gage how much longer they'll need. When the fork easily pierces all the way through the fruit or vegetable, it's done.

Transfer the steamed produce into the food processor or blender using a spoon. Make sure the lid is on tight and push puree. If it seems a bit thick, add small amounts of water until you reach the desired consistency. Now remove the lid (if it doesn't have a vent on top) and let it sit for a minute. You want to give it a chance to cool off. Once the puree is cool, transfer it by spoonfuls into a freezing tray. I like to set the trays inside the refrigerator for a few minutes to let it really cool off before finally covering the trays and sticking them in the freezer. And that's it! Simply remove a cube from the freezer, let it thaw and voila! Healthy, homemade baby food.

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