https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 25 May 2026 23:53:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2392024 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 10:24:23 +0000 erinbaderin 2392024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also you can cook and freeze rice - I used to roll it into balls, freeze them on a sheet pan, and then store them in a ziplock. And I agree that lots of babies like spicy food - we once left our son with my mom and told her there was spaghetti in the fridge to feed him. When we got home she said "I was skeptical of the spaghetti because it smelled kind of Thai and spicy but he gobbled it up!" She had fed him Dragon Noodles (chow mein noodles with soy sauce, sriatcha, and cilantro. How she thought that was spaghetti I had no idea....) and it's still one of his favourites. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2392018 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 10:21:40 +0000 erinbaderin 2392018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here are some things that were popular in my house, all of which survive being frozen/reheated:</p> <p>Cheesy lentil wedges<br /> 8 oz red lentils<br /> 3/4 pint water<br /> 1 large onion<br /> 1 oz butter<br /> 4 oz grated cheese<br /> 1 tsp mixed herbs<br /> 1 egg<br /> 1 oz breadcrumbs<br /> salt &amp; pepper – for adults!!<br /> Cook the lentils in the water until soft, and all the liquid is absorbed<br /> Chop the onion finely and fry in the butter until soft.<br /> Combine all the ingredients and press into an oiled 9″ tin.<br /> Bake at 375 for around 30 minutes.<br /> Allow to cool slightly then cut into wedges</p> <p>Turkey meatballs:</p> <p>1 egg<br /> 1/2 cup jarred or homemade applesauce (recipe below)<br /> 1/2 cup shredded carrot<br /> 1/2 cup chopped spinach<br /> 1/4 cup finely chopped onion<br /> 1/2 tsp. sea salt<br /> 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper<br /> 1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey<br /> 1/2 cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs</p> <p> Directions</p> <p>1. In a small bowl stir together the egg, applesauce, sweet potato, green onions, salt, and pepper.</p> <p>2. In a large bowl combine turkey and bread crumbs. Fold egg mixture into turkey mixture; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours. (This step is important for the bread crumbs to absorb moisture and flavor.)</p> <p>3. Heat oven to 450°F. Shape turkey mixture in 1-inch diameter balls. Place meatballs on a foil-lined 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until no pink remains (170°F).</p> <p>4. Serve meatballs with spaghetti and sauce or as a pizza topper.</p> <p>5. For easy shaping, turn the turkey mixture onto waxed paper. Pat it into a 9×8-inch rectangle, then cut 36 equal-size squares. Roll the squares into balls. Or shape meatballs by using a small cookie scoop, occasionally dipping the scoop in water to prevent the meat from sticking.</p> <p>Egg and cheese mini muffins:<br /> •6 large eggs<br /> •3 tablespoons whole milk<br /> •½ teaspoon salt (NOTE: some folks have commented that the addition of the salt makes these too salty, so feel free to omit it or decrease the amount!)<br /> •⅛ teaspoon pepper<br /> •⅓ cup grated cheddar cheese</p> <p>Instructions<br /> 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Thoroughly spray miniature muffin pan with cooking spray.<br /> 2.In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.<br /> 3.Pour egg mixture into prepared pan, filling cups about ⅔ full.<br /> 4.Sprinkle cheese evenly among the cups. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until eggs set.<br /> 5.Allow to cool in pan for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack. When completely cooled, muffins can be wrapped in plastic and frozen.<br /> 6.When ready to eat, simply microwave each mini muffin for 15-30 seconds, or until heated through.</p> <p>Broccoli cheese bites:<br /> 16 oz. package of frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained of liquid (I used fresh steamed broccoli)<br /> 1 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese<br /> 3 eggs<br /> salt &amp; pepper<br /> 1 cup of seasoned Italian breadcrumbs</p> <p> Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.</p> <p> With your hands, form small patties and lay on a parchment lined baking sheet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2391609 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 23:40:21 +0000 Meowkers 2391609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thanks for everyone's advice and ideas. Today for dinner I gave her whole wheat toast with hummus, steamed carrots and raspberries for dessert. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2390849 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 13:36:12 +0000 Mamasig 2390849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our kids just ate leftovers of whatever we ate. A little spicy didn't even matter. For DS1, we lightly puréed whatever we are for dinner so it wasn't as hard to eat but still chunky. We probably started that at 7 months? Eventually, he ate it whole. For DS2, he boycotted purees around 7-8 months and went straight to our table food - anything we ate. He didn't even have teeth but I cut it up small and he ate it fine. </p> <p>At that age, they weren't picky and literally ste whatever we did. I would sometimes have sausage or meatballs handy in case we ate fast food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2390777 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 13:16:18 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2390777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with just keeping small containers of left overs in the fridge. I'll make a pan of rice and beans and keep 2-3 servings for the baby. Or if we steam broccoli, even just 1-2 pieces I'll save. </p> <p>For us, food is more about exposing him to a variety of options! </p> <p>Also, if you're cooking a spicy indian dish, see if there is a way you can take some out before the sauce is added or just let baby try. Lots of babies like spicy foods! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2390758 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 13:08:49 +0000 Ms.Badger 2390758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Frozen veggies (right now we do peas and corn), slow cooker meat, black beans, any fruit or veggie steamed.</p> <p>Our nanny has no problem making some simple foods like eggs or cutting up and microwaving fruit and veggies so they are gummable so you may just ask what she's comfortable preparing </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2390747 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 13:04:23 +0000 KT326 2390747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did a lot of frozen meatballs at that age. </p> <p>Beets<br /> peas<br /> mango<br /> hummus<br /> toast with avocado<br /> String cheese (I would cut it into pieces)<br /> Chicken sausage </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2390736 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 13:00:55 +0000 gingerbebe 2390736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have Tupperwares of little stuff in the fridge at all times. Cut up fruit, chopped up meatballs (ground meat is easier for littles to chew and swallow) or chicken sausage (the kind with no tough casing), boiled soft carrots and broccoli in bite size pieces, peas and carrots from the freezer section thawed, canned green beans (they are softer), mac n cheese that I cook and refrigerate - it clumps better after it cools so they can pinch up bites - or just macaroni tossed in butter and parmesan cheese. DS also liked to hold and suck on fries or sweet potato fries. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2390719 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 12:54:40 +0000 jny1179 2390719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feed my 11 month old whatever I'm having, unless it's something outrageous like super spicy or hard to eat. Last night we had pot roast, potato and carrots and he loved it. For breakfast he'll have yogurt, scrambled eggs or oatmeal and maybe some fruit, lunch low sodium deli meat, fruit, grilled cheese, mashed avocado, for dinner whatever I'm having within reason. If he can't have what I'm having I try to keep leftovers handy, cooked chicken is great and he loves it with a side of veggies, even brussels sprouts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2390610 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:57:22 +0000 Meowkers 2390610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: In theory that's a great idea but in practice it wouldn't work for us. DH and I often eat meals that are not baby/toddle appropriate. Like last night we had a spicy Indian dish. Also, all too often we'll get lazy and use a Trader Joe's frozen food to McGuyver up dinner. Not something I want to feed to an 11 month old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2390584 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:41:58 +0000 Adira 2390584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you just take whatever you're having for dinner the night before and make a little extra for her to have the next day? </p> <p>When Xander first started finger foods, there were a hit with him:</p> <p>Crackers<br /> Toast<br /> Frozen waffles warmed up<br /> Turkey sausage<br /> Fruits (bananas, baked apples, strawberries, blueberries, grapes)<br /> Veggies (steamed carrots, tomatoes, peas) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-from-purees-to-table-foods#post-2390558 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:29:13 +0000 Meowkers 2390558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD is 11 months and has been enjoying purees since 6 months. Occasionally I'll break up food that I'm eating into smaller pieces and feed it to her and she really likes that. </p> <p>However, she's home with the nanny all day and I usually leave purees for her for the day. I need ideas for transition foods that i can make ahead that the nanny can just heat up during the day for her. </p> <p>For snack she'll often get raspberries or pieces of cheese or a yogurt and fruit parfait. For dinner sometimes she'll have a cheese and veggie omelet. I've made her "chicken parm" in the past and she really like that. I've also done pasta a few times. Desperate for other ideas. </p>