Cauliflower, Broccoli and Potato Puree Baby Food

I have been weaning my daughter for a couple of months, and now she is over seven months we have progressed onto a range of finger foods and lumpier textures but I began the process with a range of mostly homemade baby purees. I found with my first daughter a simple potato masher worked as the main tool, but this time I've made slightly larger batches of purees with the help of my Nutribullet.

I have no issue with baby food brands, and have used the likes of Hipp Organic, Ella's Kitchen and this time around, Babease, during the weaning process but I much prefer preparing my baby's food and knowing every single ingredient that is going into her food, at this crucial stage. There is extensive research out there, which suggests the more flavours and types of foods you introduce to your baby during the weaning stage, the less likely she (or he) is to be a fussy eater as they get older. Research also recommends introducing different textures between the ages of 6-9 months, to avoid them becoming fussy about 'lumps' so try not to rely solely on pouches which are mainly pureed and smooth at this age.

Remember also to introduce flavours individually during the early days - just parsnips, sweet potato, or carrots to begin with, and then combine. This has worked well for me at least - but as parents, we all just do our best and seem to find our own way - I'm not preaching, just bringing to the table what has worked for us :-) I also try to use the same pan to cook things - another bug bear of being a busy Mum, is the constant clean-up, and I know the convenience of pouches is what attracts many, so I've tried to create some purees where minimal mess and clear up is required.

This puree is simple - potato, broccoli and cauliflower - nothing else, besides water.

Potato Broccoli and Cauliflower Puree

Here's how:

• 1 white potato
• 3 florets of broccoli
• 3 florets of cauliflower

Bring a large pan of water to the boil - or if you're in a hurry, simply boil the kettle and add to a pan. 

Peel the potato and cut into small, 1 cm (ish) cubes and wash well to remove some of the starch, then add to the pan on a medium heat. Bring to the boil, then simmer for ten minutes, testing with a fork to see if the potato has become soft enough to blend. As soon as it has, remove the potato with a slotted spoon and place directly into a blender or Nutribullet to cool a little.

Now add the broccoli and cauliflower to the water and cook for about 6 minutes, until softened. Drain, and add the cooked vegetables to the blender or Nutribullet. 

Pour over 4 tablespoons of cold water and leave for five minutes to cool a little more. Then blitz to a smooth paste.

Portion up and store excess portions in sealable tubs or ice cube trays. Reheat by placing the container into a bowl or pot of boiled water and always test with your hand before serving to baby.

Baby Bites: Sweet Potato, Spinach and Pea Puree

Beatrice is six months old this week, and we are well established on the weaning front; she's been enjoying a range of homemade purees, and I will slowly start to introduce a wider selection of foods, meat, fish and different textures over the coming weeks.

In the meantime I will share some of the purees and meal ideas here, as I did with Bridget. Once again, I'm not anti-shop-bought when it comes to feeding babies and weaning, and am actually using the Aptamil Baby Porridge at the moment, for example, as the super soft texture is perfect for babies and I'm a huge fan of the Ella's Kitchen and Hipp Organic ranges too.

Recently we've been using the Lidl fruit pouches too, which are excellent and super convenient. In the main part, I do try to prepare most of the weaning dishes myself, because I can, and enjoy the knowledge that I know every ingredient that my baby is having, but having said that, I've found, like many parents before me from what I've heard, that second time around, I'm a lot more laid back around the whole weaning situation. I'm less neurotic over panicking if Beatrice has a taste of something that she shouldn't have at her age, she was in Crete last week, boiling and had a few licks of a frozen yoghurt - something I would never have done when Bridget was a baby, but she enjoyed it, didn't get a sore tummy, and it cooled her down into the bargain.

I stick by my original weaning 'tools' and say, that you can get by with a simple potato masher if that's all you have, it's what I used first time around and, still do for some of the meals. I'm so reliant on my Nutribullet these days though for myself, I use it at least once a day and it's excellent to help quickly blitz up a meal into a puree for weaning.

This puree is super simple; sweet potato, baked, and scooped out of the shell, a handful of washed, blanched spinach and a handful of boiled or steamed peas. Either mash all together with a little water or baby milk (breast or formula works) or pop into the Nutribullet, allow to cool a bit first, then blitz for 10 seconds.

Sweet Potato, Spinach and Pea Puree



You'll be left with a glorious, green coloured puree that doesn't look very appetising, but is full of goodness, and Beatrice has been wolfing it down.

Beatrice enjoying her Sweet Potato, Spinach and Pea Puree



If you use 1 medium sweet potato, one handful of spinach and the same of peas, this should make a good 3 portions. May your littles ones enjoy!