Feeding Your Baby Quinoa - Nutritious and Delicious Quinoa Baby Food Recipes.

Quinoa in Baby Food Recipes - When Can Baby Have Quinoa?

Age for Introducing Quinoa: 8-10 months  

 

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The Goodness of Quinoa:

Quinoa, pronounced "keen wah", has been grown in South America for more than 5,000 years both in and around the Andes Mountains. Did you know that the Incas called Quinoa 'the Mother Grain'?

 

The Incas gave quinoa this name as eating the grain was said to be responsible for longevity. Quinoa is becoming a popular grain in North America however the sweetest and most flavorful quinoa is that grown in South America. Quinoa is packed with fiber, calcium, iron and folate to name a few of it's nutrients.

 

 

The Quinoa Grain Boil & simmer as you would when making rice Finished Quinoa Product Taken from our Blog Post on 18 August 2009.

When can I introduce Quinoa to my baby?

 

Homemade Quinoa cereal is able to be introduced to baby from 8 months of age. As with all other foods, you should always consult your pediatrician when introducing solids as generalities may not apply to your baby.

 

How to select and store Quinoa for baby food

 

You may purchase quinoa as a whole grain, in flakes, and even as a flour. Whole grain Quinoa may be stored for several months in a cool dry place. Most packaged quinoa will have a "best if used by" date on the package as well. Quinoa should be stored in an air tight container and preferably in your refrigerator due to its high fatty acid content. You can store quinoa in a cool dry place however ensure that you check on it if you use it infrequently.

 

Grind Quinoa into a powder by using a coffee grinder or a food processor. Grinding quinoa helps make a more smooth texture when cooked into a cereal!

 

If you are going to grind quinoa into a "flour", the same "rules" apply as with rice powder or oat powder, barley powder etc. that you have ground (milled) for your homemade baby cereal. Be sure to store it in the fridge or in a cool dry place. The natural oils that come from the grain may become rancid without refrigeration or storage in a cool dry place. When purchasing any type of milled whole grain, it's always best to buy smaller quantities to ensure that your whole grains are used prior to them going rancid.

 

The best way to cook Quinoa for Baby Food

Quinoa Powder for Quinoa Baby Cereal:

Cook about 1/4 cup of quinoa powder per 1-2 cups of water.

When cooking ground quinoa "powder" for homemade baby cereal, the key is to whisk whisk whisk as you are cooking to avoid clumping.

 

Cook Quinoa like Rice:

As with millet, you may cook quinoa like rice and eat it as a replacement for rice. It will take about 10-20 minutes to cook and it will plump up nicely. Use 1 cup of quinoa grain per 2 cups of water. Quinoa will add texture to casseroles, pilafs, soups and stews.

 

Quinoa Flakes:

You can also add quinoa flakes to baked goods and even use the flour to create baked goods. Please keep in mind that quinoa is gluten free so do not expect a quinoa baked good to be of the same light and fluffy texture as bread for example.

 

Quinoa, like millet, will expand much like rice so a good rule of thumb is 1 cup of quinoa per 2-3 cups of water.

 

Add pureed fruits and vegetables to baby's homemade quinoa cereal - ensure that you have followed the 4 day wait rule.

 

A Few Quinoa Baby Food Recipes

 

Whole Grain Quinoa Baby Cereal - using whole quinoa

 

 

In a large pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil
Add 1 cup of quinoa
Cover the pot, reduce heat and simmer approximately 15 minutes or until liquid has been absorbed. Let stand for five minutes and then "fluff" a bit.

 

You may add spices such as cinnamon, ginger and vanilla, and also fruits, veggies and/or other foods that are age appropriate for your baby.

 

 

Quinoa & Peas Pilaf

 

3 cups cooked quinoa
1 cup of your favorite chicken, vegetable or beef stock
Peas

 

In medium saucepan, combine ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes - please watch this closely so that the quinoa is not reduced to a pastey thickness. We have not had good luck with cooking whole grain quinoa in stock - this may be due to the ingredients in the stock; feel free to contact us if you have had success.

 

 

Quinoa Stir-Fry

 

1 cup cooked quinoa (not pureed.)
soft cooked apples- diced
soft cooked yellow squash - diced
soft cooked sweet potato

 

1. Toss all ingredients together in a pan with warmed olive oil
2. Saute and scramble then serve warm
3. Optional: scramble in an egg yolk or 2 for a protein and iron boost.

 

 

Creamy Quinoa & Bananas

 

1 cups cooked quinoa
1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt

1/2 banana, mashed

 

In medium saucepan, combine ingredients and simmer on low for approximately 10 minutes. You are simply warming the ingredients and not cooking them.

 

Please watch this closely so that the quinoa is not reduced to a pastey thickness.

 

 

Foods Good to Mix With Quinoa

 

Fruits, vegetables, yogurt and meats are all good foods to add and mix with barley homemade baby cereals.

 

Try cooking Quinoa in a Homemade Veggie, Chicken or Beef Stock.

Don't forget the spices. Quinoa is often best when herbs and spices are added - you may mint, garlic powder or onion powder or even cinnamon, ginger, et al

 

 

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