Peas Baby Food - Age for Introduction to Baby: 6-8 Months
The Goodness of Peas
The nutritional value of peas is amazing when you think of the small size of a cup of peas. One cup of peas contains more protein that a tablespoon of peanut butter and also provides calcium, Vitamin A and C and Iron too! These wonderful vegetables are a great first "green" food for baby as they are nutritious, and mostly pleasant to eat. When making homemade peas for baby, you may find it tough getting the "skins" to puree smoothly. If this is the case and your baby is not used to textures yet, you might wish to run them through a strainer or sieve.
PEAS (one cup - steamed)
VITAMINS:
Vitamin A - 955.2iu
Vitamin C - 22.72 mg
Niacin - 3.23 mg
Folate - 100.8 mcg
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - .41 mg
Vitamin B6 - .35 mg
Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.
MINERALS:
Potassium - 433.6 mg
Phosphorus - 187.2 mg
Magnesium - 62.4 mg
Calcium - 43.2 mg
Sodium - 4.8 mg
Selenium - 3.0 mg
Iron - 2.5 mg
Zinc - 1.9 mg
Manganese - .8 mg
Also contains small amount of copper.
When can I introduce Peas my baby?
Peas are typically recommended for introduction into a baby's diet between 6-8 months old.
As always, we recommend that you thoroughly discuss any feeding issues with your pediatrician as generalities may not apply to your child
How to select peas
"When selecting fresh green peas, check the pod carefully. Look for peas that are firm, crisp, with a bright green color, and a fresh appearance. Fresh peas will feel almost velvet-like when you handle them. Try to buy medium sized pods rather than large ones. Avoid tough, thick-skinned pods, as this is an indication that the peas are over-matured, as well as those that exhibit poor color or show any sign of decay or wilting.
Do not buy peas that are already shelled because you never know when they were shelled. When you bring green peas home from the market, remember they have a very short shelf life, so use them right away."˚
The best way to cook peas for homemade baby food
Steaming or boiling peas in a scant amount of water is the best way to cook peas for baby food. For a nice flavor, cook peas in a homemade vegetable, chicken or beef stock!
A Few Peas Baby Food Recipes:
Peas - Basic Baby Food Recipe
1. If using Fresh Peas, open the pods and scrape out the peas from the pod. If using frozen type of either Peas or Green Beans, cook according to package directions.
2. Place fresh peas into a steamer basket in a pan with a just enough water to slightly show through in the basket.
3. Steam until very tender; be sure to check on the water level.
4. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the peas. 5. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
It is best to use the setting that makes the finest liquid purees - green bean and pea skins are rather difficult to completely puree. Using a blender rather than a food processor or stick mixer might be better as well.
Hint: Plunging the hot cooked peas into a bowl of ice cold water is known to help make a smoother puree of peas for baby food!
6. Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency
7. You may wish to push the peas (or green beans) through a sieve or mesh strainer to get rid of any remaining skins
Nana's Creamed Peas & Nuggets
8 months+ due to dairy
Ingredients:
4 cups peas, fresh, frozen or canned as a last resort
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste
pieces of chicken, fish, pork or beef
Melt butter in a large sauce pan. Whisk in flour and allow to cook for 1 minute.
Slowly add milk, whisking the whole time to prevent lumps.
Add salt and pepper and other spices as you find appropriate.
Cook until sauce begins to thicken.
Add peas, stir and cook until peas are heated through (about 5-7 minutes)
Add meat
Serve warm alone or over multi-grain toast or rice.
Peas, Cauliflower and Tofu with Spicy Orange
(leave out "*advanced" ingredients for infants between 9-12 months old!)
1 Onion, medium size
2 tbsp. Garlic, minced
1 lb. Peas, fresh or frozen
1 lb. Cauliflower, florets, fresh
1 lb. Tofu, firm, cubed
1/2 cup Almonds*, whole shelled
1/3 cup Coconut, unsweetened shredded
1 - 12 oz. can *Orange Juice, frozen concentrate
2 Navel Oranges, peeled, sectioned, and cut in half
2 tsp. Ginger, ground
1/2 tsp. Turmeric, powder
1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper, ground
3 tbsp. Soy Sauce (low sodium)
1 tbsp. Corn Starch
Preparation
This recipe is best served over a bed of Brown Rice. Begin cooking the rice at the same time you begin making this recipe. This recipe can be made in a microwave oven, on the stove top or in a wok. Peel and dice the Onion. Peel and mince the Garlic. Cook the Onion and Garlic until the Onions begin to get translucent. Mix frequently.
Add the Peas, Cauliflower, Tofu, Orange Juice concentrate, Ginger, Turmeric, and Cayenne Pepper. When the ingredients become hot add the Orange sections, Almonds, and shredded Coconut. Continue mixing to insure that the ingredients are evenly cooked
In a cup or small bowl mix the Soy Sauce and Corn Starch until they are smooth. When the vegetables are tender add the Soy Sauce - Corn Starch mixture and continue mixing until the Corn Starch is dissolved and thickens the liquid, and evenly coats the other ingredients. Serve over the Brown Rice and enjoy! http://www.all-creatures.org/recipes/peacaultofuor.html
Foods Good to Mix With Peas:
Apples
Grapes
Carrots
Green Beans
Dried Beans
White Potato
Sweet Potato
Summer Squash - zucchini or yellow/crooked necked
Winter Squash - butternut, acorn etc.
Brown Rice
Lentils
Chicken
Beef
Pork
Tofu
Resources & Learning More:
Farm Fresh - Peas
Specialty Produce - English-Garden-Sweet Peas
