Weaning time-Kiddies Menus

Your baby has just started eating solid food. So what should you as a parent prepare so as to become a super chef to a special little customer? There are plenty of options one can create to tease a little ones palette. A fruity yoghurt is a delicious and nutritious first food for babies

Banana and avocado yoghurt
This is a quick meal that requires no cooking – and it is surprisingly popular with babies too!

• 1/2 ripe banana, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 small avocado, peeled and sliced
• 4 tbsp natural yoghurt
• Mash the banana and avocado together in a blender until soft. Stir in the yoghurt thoroughly.
• This recipe makes 3-4 servings.

More than two ingredients
Some of the most recommendable dishes are a mixture of not more than two ingredients so that monitoring how well the baby is receptive to them is easy. Here is one particular dish that really goes down well with the young ones and is also yummy for the palate. It is also very wholesome so let us get started.

Creamed potatoes with vegetables
• Ingredients
• V2 kg of potatoes
• 1 litre of milk
• 20gm butter
• A pinch of salt to taste
• Boiled and blended vegetables (preferably spinach)

Preparation
* Wash, peel and rewash the potatoes.
* Cut them into even sized pieces, place in a cooking pot and cover with cold water, add salt and bring rapidly to a boil.
* Remove all scum, cover with a lid and cook until tender.
* Using the cover drain off the water and place the potatoes on a baking tray to dry off excess moisture.
* Mash the potatoes and place in a stainless bowl.
* Gradually add the milk, melted butter and the blended vegetables. Thoroughly mix with wooden spoon, taste and correct seasoning.
* Keep the mashed potatoes in a hot water bath; sprinkle some milk on the surface to prevent a crust forming.
* Serve when necessary.

Cooking with Kids

Kids in the kitchen is always great fun, especially when you’re making seasonal treats. Allow your child in the kitchen while preparing them snacks, this cements the bond between parents and their children. It is also a proven fact that kids will appreciate more the foods they participate in preparing.

Cup cakes

  • 2½ cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1½cups sugar
  • 1 cup margarine
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  1. In a bowl, combine the flour and baking powder.
  2. In a separate bowl, cream together the sugar, margarine , vanilla extract
  3. Beat the eggs one by one  on to the creamed mixture
  4. Fold the dry ingredients to number 4 above, gradually adding 1 cup milk
  5. Bake using a cupcake sheet or separate paper cases for 16-18 minutes and allow to cool before decorating.

Family meal
Time really moves fast! Children need proteins for growth and development and what we have in store for them is filled with the same. This is also a family meal. Bon appétit.

Yummy lamb chops

Ingredients
• 1kg of lamb suitable for stewing
• 30gm cooking fat
• 2 chopped onions
• 3 cloves of garlic (crushed)
• Tomato paste
• Basic brown sauce
• Salt to taste
• Pepper (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat the fat in a shallow frying pan. Season with salt and fry it quickly to seal the pores and color it.
2. Add the onions and garlic, continue frying till onions are brown.
3. Pour in the tomato paste, glaze for 2 minutes and cover to cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Add the boiling brown sauce, mix thoroughly and simmer it in an oven for 45 minutes at 150c until tender.
5. When cooked, sprinkle chopped parsley on top and serve.
6. This dish goes well Irio, ugali or even chapati.

END: BL35/12-13

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