Baby Food

I am a total geek.  I love to make baby food.  It all started, of course, with our first, 13 years ago.  After I had Ben, I quit my full-time job and got a part-time job at a bookstore.  Where else could a bookworm like me go? 

As an employee, I got a discount, and as a frugal gal, I scoured the Bargain Book shelves so my discount would go even farther.  One of the books I found was a Baby Food cookbook.  It freaked me out at first.  I mean, didn't babies just eat the food that came in jars from the grocery store?  I can't even remember the name of the book anymore.  I gave it away after our 3rd baby since we weren't going to have anymore kids.......I remember making things like "Tomato and Lentil Medley" (yes, they really ate it).  This book taught me how to puree the food and freeze it in ice cube trays, then store in freezer bags until needed.  Amazing. 

By the time Jack, our 3rd, was born, I was in the middle of starting up a Homeschool Support Group at our church and didn't use the cookbook.  I just pureed a bunch of veges and mixed likely ones together.  Easy.  Poor Jack.  He really has taken the brunt of things, being the 3rd and all.  God bless him.  How Darin and I should repay him for all he's had to deal with is another blog entry....

SO.  We now have Henry (#4) and Sophia (#5).   I've been giddy over the new baby food recipes I've come across.  Really, for the most part, I'm cooking smarter these days.  I'll put something like Chicken Pot Pie on the menu, double the recipe, then puree the leftovers for Sophia.  Voila!  Baby food.  It's funny....I'll feed Sophia her Chicken Pot Pie and the older kids will walk by and say, "eeeeeew!  Baby food!"  That's when I say, "You ate this for dinner last night."  ;-)

So Chicken Pot Pie, Beef Stew, Homemade Applesauce, leftover Spaghetti - those are a few things I've made work double duty.  I also steam and puree veges on their own to freeze.  And I have a new cookbook.  It's Top 100 Baby Purees.  It's a pretty good book.  I've had to make baby food for a longer amount of time with Sophia because even at 13 months, the girl only has 5 teeth.  Here's one of the latest recipes I tried from my newest book.  Sophia loves it.  If you decide to make it for your babe, double, or even triple it.  I don't know about you, but I cook for the long-term.  ;-)

Creamy Chicken and Vegetables

1 T. vegetable oil
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 med. carrots, peeled and chopped
3/4 c. sliced mushrooms
1 T. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. chicken stock
1/4 c. milk
1/2 c. chopped cooked chicken
1/4 c. grated cheddar cheese

Heat the oil in a saucepan and saute the onion and carrots for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the mushrooms and saute for 3 minutes.  Stir in the flour and continue to cook for 1 minute.  Gradually stir in the stock and the milk.  Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cook for 5 minutes.  Stir in the chicken and cook for 1 more minute.  Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted.  Either chop into small pieces or puree for your baby. 
Makes 3 servings.