Apples for Baby Food Recipes - Age for Introduction to Baby:
(4)6-8 Months Old
Please remember that the current recommendation for introducing solid food to a baby is 6 months of age!
The Goodness of Apples:
"An Apple a Day" as the old saying goes is indeed good for your health. Apples are truly a wonder fruit and are also one on your infants first foods.
One of the most important nutritional components of Apples is that they contain two types of fiber; insoluble fiber and soluble fiber. Both the insoluble fiber in apples and their soluble fiber pectin help maintain bowel regularity (thus helping to prevent diverticulosis and colon cancer). The insoluble fiber works like roughage, while the soluble fiber (pectin), helps keep the bowels
regular (avoiding constipation, avoiding diarrhea) and specifically affects
the makeup of the stool. Pectin will firm up the stool as it is a soluble
fiber.
While the study of apples' health benefits is still in very early stages, research to date suggests that apples and apple nutrients may play a role in promoting human health in a number of ways, including: promoting cardiovascular health by lowering LDL cholesterol and inhibiting LDL oxidation, and reducing the risk of certain types of stroke; maintaining a healthy weight, as part of a low-fat, fiber-rich diet; promoting lung health, by countering the effects of oxidative damage; promoting prostate, liver and colon health, by inhibiting the growth of related cancer tumors; and promoting bone health, by providing a good source of the dietary mineral boron 1
APPLES (one medium apple)
VITAMINS:
Vitamin A - 73 IU
Vitamin C - 9 mg
Folate (important during pregnancy) - 4 mcg
Vitamin E - .66 IU
MINERALS:
Potassium - 158 mg
Calcium - 9.5 mg
Phosphorus - 9.5 mg
Magnesium - 7 mg
Selenium - .4 mg
Also contains small amounts of iron, manganese, copper and zinc.
When can I introduce Apple Baby Food Recipes to my baby?
Apples are a great choice for one of an infant's first food. They are easy to prepare, easy to digest and are full of nutrients. Apples are also very versatile and may be added to almost any baby recipe you find. You can mix apples with
cereals, veggie purees, with meat purees and use them in teething biscuit recipes, in healthy cake recipes, in yogurt and mixed with other fruits also.
Apples are also great when frozen and used as a teething reliever when added to a Baby Safe Feeder. Applesauce is a great substitute for oil in many baked goods recipes.
How to select the perfect Apples for baby food recipes
Select apples that are firm and have no squishy indentations. Apple skin should not be discolored (uneven colouring is the hallmark of many apples so do not mistake discolouration for normal colouring) or have cuts and bruises.
Store apples in the refrigerator and only cut them when you are ready to cook or otherwise use them!
The best way to cook Apples for Baby Food Recipes
Apples are most flavourful and tasty when they are baked! You may also steam apples to retain the most of their nutrients. Boiling apples in a scant amount of water is another way to cook apples. Apples are very juicy and will seem to "boil down" as you are steaming or boiling them. This is great because you will probably not need to add any water to make baby's applesauce!
Add some spices as they are cooking for extra tasty-yum!
Basic Apple Baby Food Recipes:
Apple Baby Food Recipes - Puréed Apples/Applesauce (4)6 months+
1. Peel, core and cut apple into slices/chunks
2. Place slices or chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples
3. Boil/steam until tender; be sure to check on the water level and stir, That's It! Easy Peasy!
4. Apples may be mashed with a potato masher to achieve a smooth applesauce consistency. If your masher will not achieve a puree type of consistency, then follow steps 5 - 7
5. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the apples
6. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
7. Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree
8. Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up the
9. Ask your pediatrician about adding some cinnamon for new tastes!
HINT! You may also buy an "Adult" jar of Natural applesauce from your local grocers! Make sure you buy Natural Applesauce however! Read the labels if you are unsure. The only ingredients should be apples and water or just apples! A few companies may add ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or citric acid to their Natural Applesauce; this is fine!
Mixed Apple Purée/Applesauce Baby Food Recipe
(4)6 months+
1/2 cup water
5 medium apples (1 Macintosh, 1 Granny Smith, 1 Braeburn, 2 Fuji) Core, peel, and dice apples
Add pinch of cinnamon and drop of vanilla if desired
Combine all ingredients in large saucepan and bring to a gentle boil
Lower heat and simmer until "sauce" like consistency is achieved; ensure that you check on the liquid level!
Mash, strain and puree the resulting "sauce" as needed.
May be frozen in ice cube trays for baby food cubes
Baked Apples for Baby (4)6 months+
1. Core apple and leave peel on
2. Place a wee bit of butter (8 months + if baby is ready for or has had dairy) on the inside of the cored apple (8 months+ - sprinkle a bit of cinnamon in the apple if your desire and if baby is ready for or has had cinnamon)
3. Place in a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples – about an inch of water
4. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 30 minutes or until tender; be sure to check on the water level.
5. Once baked, either cut apple into little bits and serve as a finger food or mash as directed above in the Apples/Applesauce recipe.
Baby Food Recipe for Oats & Apple Cereal (4)6 months+
1. Peel, core and cut a small apple into small dices
2. Place in a pan with 1/4 c ground oats and 3/4 c water
3. Bring mixture to a slow boil. Simmer covered, checking frequently, until apples are soft and oatmeal is cooked.
4. Be sure to stir and mash while cooking
5. Mix in formula or breast milk or juice to thin if needed - puree if necessary
(sprinkle a bit of cinnamon in the cereal if your desire and if baby is ready for or has had cinnamon)
Apple Grain Breakfast Salad Baby Food Recipe 8 months+
3 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt (omit if needed)
3/4 cup quick-cooking brown rice
3/4 cup bulgur
1 Granny Smith apple
1 Red Delicious apple
1 large peach
1 cup raisins
1 container (8-ounce) low fat vanilla or plain yogurt
1.) In large pot, heat water and salt to boiling over high heat. Add rice and bulgur; reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside, covered 2 minutes. Spread hot grains on baking sheet to cool (this will make them fluffier). Grains can be prepared the night before and kept refrigerated.
2.) Just before serving, prepare fruit: Core and chop apples; peel orange or peach and cut into sections. Add apples, orange or peach, and raisins to grain mixture. Stir in yogurt to coat grains and fruit. Sprinkle with wheat germ. Ensure that you use soft ripe fruits when serving to babies 10 months of age + and be sure the texture is manageable for baby!
3.) Our own variation for those between 8 months +
Cook grains for 30 minutes then add diced apples, diced peach and chopped raisins. Return to cooking for another 15 minutes or until everything is soggy and cereal-like. Keep a close watch on the pot as you may need to add more water. Stir often!
Just before serving, stir in yogurt of an amount you desire. Sprinkle with wheat germ.
Baby's Rice Breakfast Pudding with Apples (4)6 months+
1/2 cup (Brown/or Jasmine) Rice (grind to barley size - don't grind if serving to a Toddler )
2 cups water
1/4 cup apples sliced into small dices or slivers
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
1/8 cup brown sugar (optional)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1. Combine all of the above ingredients in a medium saucepan.
2. Cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes or until rice is soft, fragrant and a bit soupy
3. Stir 1/8 cup milk into the rice, keep on heat for 10 more minutes. Keep a close watch to ensure that the consistency remains soupy but not pasty.
4. Stir frequently to stop sticking to the pot and add more milk or water if necessary.
5. Serve warm then transfer remaining portion to the fridge.
Baby Food Recipes - Yummy Apples -n- Chicken
8 months+ or when your pediatrician says baby can have meatsS
2 cups water
1 cup apples - peeled, cored and diced
1 chicken breast - uncooked and diced
In a medium saucepan, combine water, apple dices and chicken breast. Slowly bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low and simmer for 20 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and has been fully cooked. Fork test for tenderness. Chop or puree as needed for your baby's texture preferences. *Add rice or star pasta for a hearty meal!*
Foods Good to Mix With Apples:
Rice, Oatmeal, Barley and Mixed Grain Homemade Baby Cereals
Bananas
Avocado
Blueberries
Pears
Sweet Potatoes
Carrots
Summer Squash - Zucchini, Yellow (Crooked Neck)
Chicken
Beef
Yogurt
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Wondering about Spices in Your Apple Baby Food Recipes?
