Making your own baby food is economical and good for the environment because you are cutting down on packaging that must be thrown away. Using a pressure cooker is a good, quick and safe way to cook food for your baby. A pressure cooker allows you to control the ingredients used and makes for more creativity when it comes to combinations of foods. Most babies are ready to start eating baby food purees between 4 and 6 months of age.
Step 1
Fill the pressure cooker with water. Follow the manufacturer's direction for your model. Place the pressure cooker on the stove and turn the burner to "High" so that the water will come to a boil.
Step 2
Prep the fruits and vegetables. Peel and chop the produce you are using while you wait for the water to boil. Soft fruits and vegetables don't always need to be cooked before pureeing. Good ones to try in a pressure cooker include sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots, peas, corn, squash, green beans, eggplant, asparagus, apples, pineapple and zucchini.
Step 3
Place the food in the pressure cooker and put the lid on. Allow the food to cook until soft. Most pressure cookers will thoroughly cook the food in about one-third the amount of time it would regularly take. Allow the food to cool.
Step 4
Transfer the fruits and vegetables to blender and puree until smooth. Offer single flavors or mix and match them to create new and exciting meals for your baby.
Step 5
Put the purees into small freezer-safe containers. Store them in sizes that allow your baby to satisfy her hunger, but won't leave a bunch of leftovers that must be thrown away.
Tips and Warnings
- Introduce only one new food at a time so that you can monitor your baby for signs of a food allergy, which include hives, rash, vomiting, diarrhea and trouble breathing. Microwave the meal to thaw, but be careful that it is not too hot before serving. Test with a clean finger and stir well to get rid of any hot spots, which are common with microwave cooking. If you have leftover baby food, do not save for later use. Bacteria from your baby's mouth may multiply and make the food unsafe to eat. Spoon a small amount into a dish and if your baby wants more, simply scoop out a little more. This cuts down on waste and prevents food-borne illnesses. Ice cube trays are a handy way to store small servings of fruit and vegetable purees.
Things You'll Need
- Fruits and vegetables
- Blender
- Containers for storage
