(NC) - It is more important than ever to initiate healthy eating habits from the start. With mounting evidence about the poor nutrition habits of school-aged children and a rise in related health issues, many parents are eager to take charge of the ingredients in the foods their children are consuming. For most parents, that initiative begins with the first spoonful of food they put into their baby's mouth.
Cuisinart, the company that introduced the first food processor, is doing its part to help ensure the next generation gets off to a good nutritional start, with the introduction of its new baby website found at www.cuisinart.ca. The site provides a concrete resource for expectant mothers and parents with special features including a variety of healthy, all-natural baby food recipes that can be easily prepared with a food processor. The company's test kitchens have collaborated with pediatric nutritionists to create balanced, baby-healthy menus focused on all the good things little bodies need to grow, using only the purest, most natural ingredients available. The recipes are specially designed to help make the transition from liquids to solids and eventually to family-friendly table foods, easy and enjoyable. An added bonus - parents can download a complimentary copy of Cuisinart's Healthy Baby Cookbook.
The following are pointers for successfully making your own baby food in the a food processor:
Use fresh fruits and vegetables when available, but if necessary, frozen fruits and vegetables are also suitable since they retain a lot of their nutrients.
Cook all vegetables and harder fruits, like apples and pears, to soften before processing.
Baking, broiling, or steaming hard vegetables, like potatoes, before processing preserves their vitamins and minerals. When boiling, use as little water as possible and add some of the liquid back when processing to ensure nutritional value.
Maximize the benefits of the food processor to create the proper consistency based on your child's age - puree the smoothest textures for infants and use the "Pulse" feature to create a variety of textures for toddlers and older children.
In addition to the nutritional benefits, making your own baby food is also economical.
P is for Peach
(NC) - Frozen peaches are a great way to have peaches in season all year long.
Makes about eight 1-ounce (30 g) servings
1/2 pound (250 g) frozen peach slices, thawed
Place thawed peach slices in Cuisinart Food Processor fitted with metal chopping blade. Process for 20 seconds, scrape bowl, and process again for an additional 10 seconds. Use within 4 days of pureeing. Do not freeze.
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