Ingredient Guide

Asparagus

About:
Asparagus may seem like a strange vegetable to introduce to a baby, and in fact it may take your little one a few introductions before she realizes how delicious it is but it is packed with fiber, Vitamins A, C, E and K and many minerals.

Steaming/Blending Tips:
Very thick asparagus stalks should be peel before dicing. For thinner stalks, simply remove the bottom inch and dice. Steam to very soft, and then remove some liquid before pureeing, then add it back if necessary.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
Cauliflower, apples, pears, fresh tarragon or mint, white beans, sesame seeds

Avocado

About:
Avocados are a fantastic baby food. They are high in heart healthy omega fatty acids, fiber and vitamins C & K. They are perfect for adding smoothness to a recipe and can be used to thicken thinner foods.

Steaming/Blending Tips:
Avocados do not need to be cooked. Simply toss into Baby Brezza bowl just before blending a steamed ingredient.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
Yellow/orange vegetables tomato, apples, pears, peaches and bananas, basil and cilantro, plain yogurt.

Broccoli & Cauliflower

About:
Broccoli and Cauliflower should be introduced around 8 to 10 months. These vegetables are a good source of protein, B vitamins, vitamins C & K and many minerals. Broccoli is high in calcium and iron – nutrients that all babies need. Both broccoli and cauliflower are very good sources of fiber, which is great for babies that tend toward constipation but can cause gas in others.

Steaming/Blending Tips:
Broccoli florettes don’t yield a smooth puree, but the stems do. To make broccoli puree, use only broccoli stems, peel completely, dice into small cubes, steam and puree. Broccoli florettes are best cut into very small pieces, steamed and given whole to a baby that has begun to eat finger foods.

Cauliflower makes a loose puree, perfect for younger babies. It is a great substitute for mashed potatoes for babies and adults.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
Cauliflower pairs well with carrots, apples and pears, lamb or turkey. Broccoli pairs well with kale or cauliflower, apples, pears, plain yogurt, sesame and pumpkin seeds.

Corn

About: :
Corn is introduced around 10 to 12 months and is generally a crowd pleaser. It does not make a smooth puree and so is best served to a baby who has begun to chew his food a bit..

Steaming/Blending Tips:
Fresh corn niblets cut from the cob need only 5 minutes of steam time, and may need additional liquid to make a smooth puree. Frozen corn niblets can be used also, allow frozen niblets to thaw before placing in the Baby Brezza.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
Yellow/orange vegetables, tomatoes, apricots, fresh lima beans, basil, mint, chicken and turkey.

Leafy Greens

Examples:
Kale, Spinach and Collard Greens (Spinach and Collards should be introduced after a child’s first birthday)

About:
Leafy greens are high in calcium and are very nutritious for babies. Kale has a mildly sweet flavor.

Steaming/Blending Tips:
Wash leaves of kale and collards, remove stems and cut into very thin strips. These greens require steaming times of 15 to 20 minutes. Kale and collard greens have a low water content and require additional liquid when pureeing. Spinach is simply washed, steamed for 5 minutes and pureed without additional water.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
Greens pair beautifully with the yellow-orange vegetables as well as all meats, grains and legumes, plain yogurt and nutmeg.

Onions

Examples:
Onions, Shallots

About:
Like asparagus, onions and leeks may seem like an adult food. Onions and shallots can be sauteed on the stove top and added in at blending time or added to raw meats just prior to steaming. They are wonderful when added in to grains and legumes as they cook on the stove top

Steaming/Blending Tips:
To saute onions: peel and dice the onions, heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and continue to cook until the onions are soft and translucent.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
Sauteed onions can be added to virtually any vegetable, meat or grain.

Parsnips & Potatoes

About:
Parsnip is a sweet vegetable that looks like a white carrot. Russet potatoes have a gummy texture when steamed, they are not recommended for use in the Baby Brezza. Waxy potatoes such as Yukon Gold, Yellow Finn, New Potatoes or Red Potatoes yield a better puree. Peel potatoes before use, if the flesh looks a bit green under the skin – don’t use for baby food.

Steaming/Blending Tips:
Both parsnips and potatoes should be scrubbed and peeled before being steamed. These vegetables work better when incorporated into a recipes rather than served as a single ingredient puree.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
Parsnip is delicious when pureed and combined with sweet potato, pear or apple, thyme and parsley. Potatoes combine well with meats, broccoli, parsnips, leafy greens like kale, plain yogurt, olive oil and cumin, oregano and thyme.

Peas & String Beans

About:
These are great first foods for a baby. When well cooked and fully pureed they have a smooth texture and appealing sweet flavor. Frozen peas and green beans work very well, the cook times are the same as for fresh.

Steaming/Blending Tips:
Don’t remove residual liquid from machine, you will need all the residual liquid and perhaps a bit more to get a good consistency.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
Yellow/orange vegetables, sauteed onions, tomato, mint and basil, cooked whole wheat pasta and whole grains.

Pepper & Tomatoes

About:
Peppers and tomatoes are not suitable as single ingredient purees, their flavors are too strong and their texture too watery. However, they are excellent additions to more complicated mixtures where their stronger flavors compliment grains and meats particularly well.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
Meats and Legumes

Yellow / Orange Vegetables

Examples:
Carrots, sweet potatoes and yams, winter squashes (such as butternut and acorn) and rutabagas

About:
Yellow/Orange vegetables are staples in a baby’s diet. Their naturally sweet flavors and smooth textures when pureed make them sure winners with new eaters. These vegetables can be used interchangeably in recipes.

Steaming/Blending Tips:
Wash and peel (remove seeds from squashes) and cut into 1/4-inch dice to steam. For the youngest eaters, purees will need to be thinned out substantially using breast milk, formula or water. As a baby becomes more proficient at eating, they can be pureed without any additional liquid. Undercooked carrots do not make a smooth puree, cook carrots for at least 15 minutes.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
Cauliflower, parsnips, apples, banana, pears, papaya, peaches, nectarines, prunes and dried apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger, plain yogurt, finely ground pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

Zucchini & Summer Squash

About:
Zucchini and summer squash make very nice purees for babies. These vegetables contain quite a bit of water and so the purees are naturally thin..

Steaming/Blending Tips:
It is not necessary to peel or seed zucchini or summer squash. Simply wash, dice and steam. These vegetables create a large amount of residual water, some of which should be removed when making purees for older vegetables. Large zucchini and yellow squash can have a slightly bitter flavor, when purchasing, it is best to look for smaller vegetables.

Recommended Pairings/Seasonings:
White potatoes and parsnips, cauliflower, tomatoes, sauteed onions, tarragon, basil and oregano, cooked grains and meats.