Avo, Carrot & Prune Puree

Why This purée Is Great for Babies

Avocado: Packed with healthy fats (monounsaturated fats), which are essential for your baby’s brain development, cognitive function, and skin health. Fibre helps with digestion, promoting a healthy gut. Rich in potassium, which supports healthy heart function and muscle development.

Carrots: A great source of vitamin A (from beta-carotene), which is crucial for healthy vision, skin, and immune function. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage, and the fibre supports digestion.

Prunes: Known for their fibre content, prunes help prevent constipation, a common concern for babies starting solids. They also provide a good amount of vitamin K for healthy bone development and potassium for muscle and heart health.

Milk: Adds calcium and vitamin D, which are vital for strong bones and teeth. Protein promotes healthy muscle growth.

Avo, Carrot & Prune Puree Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 medium-sized carrots, peeled and chopped into small chunks.
• 3 small prunes, pitted.
• 1 ripe avocado.
• ½ cup milk (breast milk, formula, or milk of choice).

Instructions

1. Prepare the Carrots and Prunes: Wash and peel the carrots, then chop them into small chunks for even cooking. Place the carrot chunks and prunes in a steamer basket over boiling water.

2. Steam the Carrots and Prunes: Cover and steam the carrots and prunes together for 10–12 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and easily pierced with a fork. The prunes will soften during steaming, making them blend easily.

3. Prepare the Avocado: Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.

4. Blend the Ingredients: Once the carrots and prunes are done steaming, transfer them to a blender or food processor. Add the avocado flesh and your chosen milk.

5. Purée Until Smooth: Blend the mixture until smooth or textured. Add more milk if needed to achieve your desired consistency.

6. Cool and Serve: Allow the purée to cool to a safe temperature before serving it to your baby. Serve immediately or store for later.

Tips for Success 

Choose the Right Ingredients: Use fresh, ripe avocados for a creamy texture. A ripe avocado will yield to gentle pressure when squeezed. Select sweet carrots for a naturally pleasant flavour. Baby carrots or organic carrots are great choices. Ensure the prunes are soft and pitted, making them easy to blend after steaming.

Ensure Proper Steaming: Chop the carrots into uniform pieces to ensure they steam evenly. Steaming the carrots and prunes together saves time and allows the prunes to soften perfectly.[

Adjust Consistency as Needed: If the purée is too thick, add extra milk (a tablespoon at a time) until it reaches the desired consistency. For younger babies just starting solids, aim for a smoother, thinner texture. Older babies may enjoy a slightly thicker purée.

Introduce Ingredients Gradually: If this is the first time your baby is trying these ingredients, introduce them individually over a few days to monitor for any allergies or sensitivities.

Serve Fresh: Avocado tends to oxidise and turn brown over time. To keep the purée fresh, serve immediately or store leftovers with a layer of plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface to minimise exposure to air.

Portion Wisely: Divide the purée into small servings, especially if freezing. Ice cube trays work well for portion control. Thaw only what you need to avoid waste.

Taste Test Before Serving: Though the purée is for your baby, taste it yourself to ensure it’s flavourful and smooth. The combination of ingredients should result in a mildly sweet and creamy purée.

Hygiene is Key: Ensure all tools (blender, knives, cutting boards, and storage containers) are properly cleaned and sanitised before use to avoid food contamination.

Make It Fun: Use a colourful baby spoon or a fun feeding bowl to make mealtime enjoyable for your little one.

Substitutions and Additions 

For substitutions and additions to this recipe, you can start by changing the base ingredients. If your baby has a sensitivity to carrots, you could substitute them with sweet potatoes or butternut squash, both of which have a similar texture and mild sweetness. If prunes aren’t available or you want a different flavor profile, consider using dried apricots, raisins, or figs, as they provide similar natural sweetness and can help with digestion.

For the avocado, while it provides a creamy texture and healthy fats, you might opt for cooked and mashed pear or banana for a smoother, sweeter purée. If you prefer to avoid avocado, some other healthy fat sources, like full-fat coconut milk or a small spoonful of nut butter (like almond or peanut butter), can be added instead to provide creaminess and essential fats.

The milk in the recipe is flexible too. Instead of breast milk or formula, you can use any plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or coconut milk if your baby is older and has no allergies. If your baby is old enough and tolerates dairy, you can also use regular cow's milk. For additional flavor, you could introduce a small amount of cinnamon or nutmeg into the purée, as these spices offer a mild, comforting flavor that pairs well with the sweet ingredients.

To add some variety and extra nutrients, consider adding a small handful of spinach or kale to the steaming process. These greens are packed with vitamins and minerals and will blend well with the carrots and prunes without overpowering the dish. Alternatively, you could add a pinch of ground flaxseed or chia seeds for added omega-3 fatty acids. Just be sure to blend everything well for a smooth consistency, as these tiny seeds can sometimes be a bit gritty.

Lastly, if you're looking to serve the purée later, you can portion it into ice cube trays and freeze it for convenient use. Just remember to defrost and reheat it thoroughly before serving to your baby.

Serving Suggestions

You can offer it in a few different ways depending on your baby’s age and stage of eating. For younger babies just starting solids, serve the purée in a small bowl with a soft-tipped spoon. You can start with a teaspoon or two and gradually increase the amount as your baby becomes more accustomed to solid foods. Ensure the purée is at a safe, comfortable temperature before serving.

As your baby grows and starts to explore more textures, you can thicken the purée slightly by reducing the amount of milk or by adding more solid ingredients like mashed sweet potato or banana. This can help your baby transition to chunkier textures. For older babies who are more comfortable with self-feeding, consider serving the purée in a small bowl or even offering it as a dip alongside soft finger foods like pieces of toast, rice cakes, or soft-cooked vegetables like peas or zucchini.

If your baby is ready for more variety, you can serve the purée mixed with other baby-friendly foods, like a spoonful of unsweetened applesauce or a little bit of plain yogurt, to add variety to the flavor and texture. For babies who are already eating a wider range of foods, you can serve it alongside a small portion of a protein source, such as finely mashed lentils or small pieces of soft-cooked chicken, for a more balanced meal.

Another serving idea is to use this purée as a base for a more complex meal. You could mix it with some quinoa cereal or oatmeal cereal to create a nutrient-packed porridge for your baby. Additionally, if you have a larger batch of purée, you can store it in ice cube trays, freezing individual servings. This way, you can easily grab a portion whenever you need a quick meal, defrosting and serving it fresh.

Tips for Serving

Serve the purée warm, cold, or at room temperature depending on your baby’s preference. Warm purée can be more comforting, especially for younger babies. Always test the temperature before serving to avoid burns. Serve in a high chair with a bib to minimise mess and encourage safe feeding habits.

How to Store

Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let the purée cool to room temperature before transferring it to the container. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface of the purée to minimise air exposure and prevent oxidation, especially since avocado can turn brown.

Reheat gently in a small saucepan or microwave until lukewarm. Stir well and test the temperature before serving.

Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality. Divide the purée into small portions using Ice cube trays or airtight containers. Cover or seal tightly to prevent freezer burn. Label each container with the date and contents for easy tracking.

Thawing: Remove a portion and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. For faster thawing, place the container or frozen cube in a bowl of warm water.

Always discard any purée that smells sour, has an off colour, or has been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Avoid reheating the purée more than once to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.

Equipment 

• Baby food maker
• Measuring Cup
• Storage Containers or Ice Cube Trays

Nutrition 

Suitable for 6 months +

• CALORIES: 130KCAL

• CARBOHYDRATES: 20G 

• PROTEIN: 2G 

• FAT: 7G 

• SODIUM: 10MG 

• POTASSIUM: 505MG 

• FIBER: 4G

• SUGAR: 12G 

• VITAMIN A: 1200IU

• VITAMIN C: 15MG 

• CALCIUM: 20MG 

• IRON: 1MG

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredient brands and portion sizes.