Baby 6—9 monthsPapayaPapaya contains papain, an enzyme that breaks down protein and so boosts the digestion, as well as improving indigestion. It is rich in vitamin C and betacarotene. 75g (3 oz) of papaya will provide a young child’s daily requirement of vitamin C. Papaya is also high in soluble fibre which is important for normal bowel function and an ideal ingredient.Ingredients1 small papaya Method: Cut a small papaya in half, remove the black seeds and puree or mash the flesh of one half until smoothAvocado RecipeAvocados are sometimes thought of as a vegetable but they are actually a fruit and contain more nutrients than any other fruit - perfect for baby food recipes. They are also rich in monounsaturated fat, the ‘good type’ of fat which helps prevent heart disease. The high calorie content of avocado makes it a good food for growing babies. Avocado recipe is a great source of the free radical fighting antioxidant vitamin E, which also boosts the immune system. Avocado is easy to digest.Ingredients1 small avocado Method: Cut a small avocado in half, remove the stone, scoop out the flesh and mash together with a little of your baby’s usual milk.Butternut Squash & PearButternut squash like pumpkin and sweet potato, is one of the more unusual vegetables now available in supermarkets which are ideal for baby food recipe. It is easily digested, rarely causes allergies, and is a good source of betacarotene and vitamins C and E. Babies like the naturally sweet taste, which combines well with vegetables like peas or broccoli and also goes well with fruits like apple or pear.Cooking fruit and vegetables in a steamer as in this baby food recipe is one of the best ways of preserving nutrients.Ingredients1 medium butternut squash (about 450g)1 ripe juicy pear Method: Peel the butternut squash, cut in half, remove the seeds and chop into pieces. Steam for about 12 minutes. Peel, core and chop the pear; add to the steamer and continue to cook for 5 minutes or until the squash is tender. Puree in a blender and stir in about 6 tablespoons of the water at the bottom of the steamer or as much as is needed to make the puree a suitable consistency for your baby.Information: From 4 monthsSuitable for freezingMAKES 6 PORTIONSBanana with Tofu PureeAlthough tofu has almost no taste of its own, it combines well with either fruit or vegetables to make a creamy puree. There are two types of tofu - soft or firm tofu - you should use soft tofu in a tofu recipe.Ingredients1 small banana50g (3oz) soft Tofu Method: Peel and mash the banana and mix together with the tofu into a puree. You could also mix tofu with other fruits like pureed mango, dried apricot or peaches on their own or mixed with banana.Fruit RecipeRaw fruits are best since none of the nutrients are lost in cooking. You can combine two different fruits together when you make this fruit recipe.Ingredients1/4 avocado1/2 small ripe banana1 or 2 tablespoons your baby’s usual milk or Greek yoghurtMethod: Mash the avocado together with the banana and the milk. You can also substitute the flesh of half a small papaya for the avocado. If using papaya, the milk is then optional.Information: MAKES 1 PORTIONYoghurt with Apricot & BananaBananas make perfect instant baby food and they combine well with many other fruits like peach, mango, blueberry and strawberries. They are easy to digest, unlikely to cause an allergy and good for the treatment of constipation and diarrhoea. Babies need more fat in their diet than adults so don’t give low fat yoghurt.Ingredients4 chopped dried apricots3 tbsp water2 tbsp mild natural yogurt (not low fat)1 medium size ripe banana Method: Put the apricots into a pan, cover with the water , bring to a simmer and cook over a low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Put in a blender together with the yoghurt and the sliced banana and blend to a puree.Information: Not suitable for freezingFrom 6 monthsPrep time 2 minutesCooking time 3 minutesMAKES 1 PORTIONSalmon RecipeIt’s important to encourage a liking for fish early on. This salmon recipe is quick and easy to prepare and combining it with root vegetables is a good way to introduce fish to your baby. Oily fish like salmon, trout, tuna and sardines are especially good as they contain omega-3 essential fatty acids which are very important for visual and brain development. Tinned tuna however does not contain omega 3s only fresh tuna.Ingredients200g carrots, topped and tailed and sliced125g salmon fillet, skinned60ml orange juice40g grated Cheddar cheesea knob of butter2 tbsp milkMethod: Put the carrots into a saucepan, cover with water, bring to the boil and cook over a medium heat for about 20 minutes until tender. Alternatively, place the vegetables in a steamer and cook for 20 minutes.Meanwhile, place the salmon in a suitable dish, pour over the orange juice and scatter over the cheese. Cover, leaving an air vent and microwave on high for about 2 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork . Alternatively, cover with foil and cook in a pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes.Flake the fish with a fork, carefully removing any bones. Drain the carrots, mix with the butter and milk and puree in a blender together with the flaked fish and its sauce. For older babies, mash the carrots together with the butter and the milk and then mix the flaked fish with the mashed carrots.Information: Suitable from 7 monthsSuitable for freezingMAKES 3 PORTIONSApple, Pear & VanillaApples and pears are easy to digest, so make great baby food. They are also unlikely to cause an allergy which is why they are generally the first fruits we introduce. Adding a vanilla pod gives the fruit a lovely flavour. If you don’t have a vanilla pod, you could add a small cinnamon stick or a pinch of dried cinnamon to the fruit.Ingredients2 dessert apples, peeled, cored and chopped2 ripe pears, peeled cored and chopped4 tbsp unsweetened apple juice or water1 vanilla pod Method: Put the fruit into a heavy-based saucepan together with the apple juice or water. Split the vanilla pod, scrape the seeds into the pan and throw in the split vanilla pod. Cover and cook over a low heat until tender (about 6 minutes). Remove the vanilla pod and blend the fruit to a smooth puree. Information: Suitable from 5 months; Suitable for freezing; Prep time 5 minutesCooking time 6 minutes; MAKE 4 PORTIONSLentil RecipeAdding lentils to a baby puree provides a good source of protein and beta-carotene and also folate, fibre and vitamin C. Orange-fleshed sweet potato is an excellent source of beta-carotene and this lentil recipe makes a sweet, soft, smooth puree that appeals to young babies.Ingredients30g (1oz) butter125g (4oz) leeks, finely sliced30g (1oz) celery, chopped30g (1oz) red pepper, cored, de-seeded and chopped60g (2oz) red lentils100g (4oz) 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped250g sweet potato, peeled and chopped1 bay leaf15 fl oz vegetable stock or water Method: Melt the butter in a saucepan and saute the leeks for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the celery, red pepper and carrot and saute for 5 minutes. Add the lentils, saute for one minute, then add the sweet potato and bay leaf and pour over the stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables and lentils are tender. Remove the bay leaf and blend to a puree. Information: MAKES 6 PORTIONSChicken PureeIntroduce your baby to chicken with this tasty and easy chicken recipe. The carrots and apple add a sweetness and flavour that babies love and give the puree a smoother texture. You could also make this using sweet potato instead of the carrots.Ingredients1/2 tbsp olive oil1/2 small onion, peeled and chopped350g/12oz carrots, peeled and sliced250ml/8 fl oz unsalted chicken stock or use water with a bay leaf1 chicken breast (approx. 125g/4oz)1 small apple, cored, peeled and choppedMethod: Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion till softened. Add the sliced carrots, pour over the chicken stock or water and bay leaf and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, then cover and cook for 10 minutes.Cut the chicken into pieces and add to the carrots together with the chopped apple, and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf if necessary. Puree in a blender and then spoon some of the puree into your baby’s bowl and serve lukewarm. Freeze the remainder in individual portions. Information: Suitable from 6 monthsSuitable for freezingMAKES 5 PORTIONSchicken thigh – the brown meat of chicken contains twice as much iron as the white.Fish Fillet RecipeFish is an excellent low fat source of protein and it is important to encourage a liking for fish early on. I find that one of the best fish for baby food recipes is plaice as it purees to a smooth consistency. Here I have mixed it with a tasty cheese and tomato sauce and carrots, so this fish fillet recipe provides a good source of protein, calcium and vitamins.Ingredients250g carrots, peeled and sliced 225g plaice fillets, skinned2 tbsp milk40g unsalted butter2 medium ripe tomatoes, skinned de-seeded and chopped40g grated Cheddar cheese Method: Steam the carrots for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, place the fish in a microwave dish, add the milk, dot with about 15g butter and cover leaving an air vent. Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes. Alternatively, put the fish in a pan, cover with a little milk and simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes or until cooked.Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan, add the tomatoes and sauté until mushy. Stir in the grated cheese until melted. Blend or mash the cooked carrots together with the tomato mixture. Remove the fish from the cooking liquor and flake, checking to make sure there are no bones. Mix the fish together with the carrots and tomatoes. For younger babies you can blend the fish together with the carrots and tomato for a smoother textureInformation: Suitable for freezingMAKES 5 PORTIONSPorridge RecipeMy children used to love this for breakfast. Not only does this porridge recipe taste great, it is also packed full of nutritious ingredients. Oats help stabilise blood sugar and give long lasting energy. Dried apricots are a good source of betacarotene, iron and also contain fibre.Ingredients150ml (5 fl oz) milk15g (1/2oz) porridge oats6 ready to eat dried apricots, chopped1 large ripe pear, peeled, cored and cut into pieces Method: Put the milk, porridge oats and chopped apricots in a small saucepan, bring to the boil and then simmer, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes. Puree together with the chopped pear in a hand blender. Information: Suitable for freezingMAKES 4 PORTIONS