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How to make your own baby food

Okay, all of you pioneer women out there! If you would like to make your own baby food, here is the place to be! We at DinnerPlanner.com try to provide as much information as possible to those of you who would like to make your own foods from scratch. However, be reminded that with certain baby foods, sometimes it will actually cost you more to make the foods than it would to purchase them. We know that even baby-food manufacturers do not add any preservatives to their foods, but sometimes the personal satisfaction of just knowing you "made it yourself" is all that is needed. So- don't plan an island vacation with your savings, but enjoy making these healthy foods for your baby.


APPLES:

5 lb. bag of apples, your choice
1/4 c. water

Peel, core and chop the apples. Put in a large pot and add water. Cook over medium-low to medium heat about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Mash with a potato masher, or if you feel like it, an electric mixer, to break up any remaining chunks.

Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze. Place frozen ice cube trays into gallon-size food storage bags after freezing to prevent from drying out. Use as soon as possible, as even homemade foods tend to dry out when left in the freezer too long. Makes about 6 cups.


PEAS:

2 lbs. frozen peas
1 c. water

Cook peas according to manufacturer's directions, either on stove-top or in microwave. Puree in a food processor with water. Add about 3/4 c. water initially, and gradually add the remaining water until desired consistency. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze. Place frozen trays in gallon-size food storage bags to prevent drying out, and use as soon as possible.



BARTLETT PEARS:

6 large pears

Peel, core, and chop the pears. Cook in a large pot over medium-low to medium heat until soft, about 7-8 minutes. Drain off as much of the liquid as possible. (Pears have a high water content). Mash with a potato masher or use an electric mixer to break up any remaining chunks. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze. Place frozen trays in gallon-size food storage bags to prevent drying out, and use as soon as possible.


GREEN BEANS:

1 lb. frozen green beans
1/4 c. water

Cook green beans according to manufacturer's directions, either on stove-top or in microwave. Add 1/4 c. water. Puree in a food processor for about 1 minute. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze. Place frozen trays in gallon-size food storage bags to prevent drying out, and use as son as possible. 


GENERAL TIPS FOR OTHER BABY FOOD PREPARATION:

Soft fruit, such as bananas and kiwis, do not need to be processed first. Just mash, with a hand masher or fork, spoon into ice cube trays, and freeze. Hard fruits, like the apples and pears above, need cooked first.

For other vegetables, place 3/4 cup of cooked vegetables plus 3 Tbsp. water in a food processor. Process 1-2 minutes until smooth. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze. Place frozen trays in gallon-size food storage bags to prevent drying out, and use as soon as possible.

For meats and poultry, use 1/2 c. cooked, cubed meat or chicken, and about 1/4 c. water. Place in a food processor for about 3 minutes, or until smooth. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze. Place frozen trays in gallon-size food storage bags to prevent from drying out, and use as soon as possible.