Monday, May 14, 2007

Baby Food - part 3: fruit-pple sauce (also the end)

So, now we need to talk about fruit. Truthfully I'll buy fruit-baby food a lot, because it isn't utterly repulsive. But this is still better. Basically I make applesauce (or pear sauce) and just add another fruit. In this case it is apple and mango. Other possibilities are strawberry, (any berry), watermelon, pineapple, plums, apricots, nectarines, peaches.........Slice and core (you could also peel) about 7 apples and put them in a stock pot with about 3/4" of water. Bring the water to a boil. While the pot with water and apples is heating up, cut up the other fruit (which is usually softer than the apple, and doesn't need to cook for as long). Once the water is boiling reduce heat, put lid on the pot and let simmer for 30-40 min. Add secondary fruit whenever it seems like a good time to you. You just want to make sure it's cooked through. After cooking, apples & mangos are very soft and look like this:
Move apples from stockpot to food processor or food mill with a slotted spoon. You will probably not need any of that extra water in the bottom of the pot, you're applesauce will be plenty runny without it. Blend to oblivion. (You're not supposed to add any sugar or cinnamon to baby food, but if you happen to be making this for yourself, because it's dang tasty, then season to taste).
Applesauce can safely keep in the freezer for 8 months. I tend to also keep some in the fridge, since Sir O eats it so fast and it's yummy served cold!

8 comments:

Brittany said...

Wow Em, I don't have a baby, but I sure am learning lots of good tricks for when I do! All in all is it cheaper than buying store baby food? You are a regular Martha Stewart!

Em said...

IMHO, yes, it's cheaper. You'll pay at least around 50 cents for a 3 to 4-ish oz cntr of babyfood at the store. That's at least $2/lb..... and that's on sale. We have a local year-round farmer's market where I can get apples for 89 cents/lb and sweet potatoes for 50 cents/lb.....

But the best reason to do it is because it TASTES better.

Deena said...

This is the one I've been waiting for. Does the peel on the apples just get blended right in, or does it leave little hunks?

Thank you so much! You're awesome.

Deena said...

Oh...one more question. Does it matter what type of apple is used?

Em said...

It doesn't really matter what kind of apples... for these photos I used Macintoshes. Whatever you think tastes best! And the skins really do get obliterated... they turn soft with the cooking along with the apple, and I figure there's a few extra nutrients in there so I leave them on. If you're worried about it you could easily peel the apple before cooking.

Chantele Sedgwick said...

Thanks Em! Kinley is going to start eating baby food in a month or two, so I am going to try your homemade tips!:) Thanks!

aLi said...

Hey, Em, what does IMHO stand for? (I'm so out of the loop).

I've really appreciated your posts on baby food. I went to the DI this morning to find a food processor, because I took my food processor there when we were trying to get rid of "junk." Argh. If only I knew then what I know now! Thanks for your tips, I can't wait for Conrad to be off his eating solids strike. :(

Em said...

IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

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