Before Food Preparation
Here are a few tips to practice to reduce the likelihood of food contamination.
- Always wash your hands before, during, and after preparing food.
- Wipe all surfaces with soap and water or mild detergent. Especially surfaces that have been exposed to raw food.
- Use separate cutting boards for fruit/vegetables and meats. Wash them immediately after use.
- Use clean towels for drying
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| Make homemade baby food in batches with a food processor |
How to Make Batches of Homemade Baby Food
Before you begin, make sure all surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned with mild soap and water.
Step 1: Decide
which foods you will prepare. If you prepare a variety of fruit,
vegetables, and proteins (meat, seafood, poultry, etc), you can
mix-n-match the cubes after they are frozen for endless combinations.
Put each food into three categories on your counter: (1) No Cook, (2)
Bake, and (3) Steaming/Boiling.
Step 2: Remove skins, seeds,
pits, stems from each food (where applicable). For potatoes &
squash, you can bake with skin on and scoop out the tasty inside.
Step 3: Cook
using your preferred cooking method. Cook fruit and vegetables until
tender and cook proteins (meat, poultry, seafood, etc) thoroughly. Test
with a meat thermometer to ensure proper doneness.
Step 4: Cool each food and puree each food separately in a
blender,
adding filtered/purified water or breastmilk until desired consistency
is reached. Freeze in ice cube trays for 24 hours. Remember to wash the
blender thoroughly between each puree.
Basic Tools for Homemade Baby Food
- Blender or Food Processor
- Baking sheet and deep baking dishes
- Stockpot or large pot
- Steamer basket insert or steamer
- Slotted spoons and mixing bowls
- Freezer bags, permanent marker and plastic wrap
- Ice Cube Trays
"201 Organic Baby Purees" offers a thorough explanation of how to make baby purees and cooking techniques.
Cooking Methods
Here are a few cooking methods for cooking baby food: Baking is the one of the best ways to cook food for your baby as it preserves the most nutrients over boiling and microwaving. Baking food requires a lot more time than some of the other methods, usually about 30 - 60 minutes for many foods.
Here are a few cooking methods for cooking baby food: Baking is the one of the best ways to cook food for your baby as it preserves the most nutrients over boiling and microwaving. Baking food requires a lot more time than some of the other methods, usually about 30 - 60 minutes for many foods.
Baking
Baking is the one of the best ways to cook food for your baby as it preserves the most nutrients over boiling and microwaving. Baking food requires a lot more time than some of the other methods, usually about 45 - 60 minutes for many foods.
Steaming
Steaming is another great way to cook baby food and it also preserves the most nutrients and antioxidants than boiling or microwaving. It is quick, easy, and many fruit and vegetables can be steamed.
Boiling
Boiling is the least preferred method to in cooking food for your baby because many of the nutrients in the food seep into the water in the pan. However, you can add some of those nutrients back into the food if you add the liquid to your purees. Use minimal water and take caution not to over boil.
Microwaving
This method is fast and easy and also preserves the most nutrients. However, according to recent research, it destroys antioxidants found in fresh produce.
Slow Cooker
You can prepare your favorite one pot meals in a slow cooker such as soups, chowders, casseroles, etc, and then puree to a smooth consistency.
Baking is the one of the best ways to cook food for your baby as it preserves the most nutrients over boiling and microwaving. Baking food requires a lot more time than some of the other methods, usually about 45 - 60 minutes for many foods.
Steaming
Steaming is another great way to cook baby food and it also preserves the most nutrients and antioxidants than boiling or microwaving. It is quick, easy, and many fruit and vegetables can be steamed.
Boiling
This method is fast and easy and also preserves the most nutrients. However, according to recent research, it destroys antioxidants found in fresh produce.
Slow Cooker
You can prepare your favorite one pot meals in a slow cooker such as soups, chowders, casseroles, etc, and then puree to a smooth consistency.
You can prepare your favorite one pot meals in a slow cooker such as soups, chowders, casseroles, etc, and then puree to a smooth consistency.
