Running out of ideas

[~Emma~]

So Baby D is having the same stuff over and over again for her solids. Things like chicken and veg, beef casserole. Mainly all the Annabel Karmel recipes that dpnt contain dairy or they have a replacement available.

 So its the same stuff day in and day out. I really think she's getting bored. I'd like to make her a nice pasta sauce to go with her teeny pasta shapes as she seems to like them. Something packed with lovely veg?

 I'm so not adventurous in the kitchen. Compulsive reipe follower so cant seem to pluck food out of thin air! Any idea for me?

 Sorry if you need to move this. Wasn't too sure where to post. 

[cuckoochick]

Have you tried the Annabel Karmel tomato and courgette pasta sauce? Only takes 10minutes as it is very simple? Or bolognaise? Is she ok with tomato? We've given C veg and tomato sauce like we have as I've not added stock/salt to it. I've given C baby pasta with some of the veg purees I'm trying to use up from the freezer but nothing too exciting. She loves veg in cheese sauce but that would be no good for D, sorry.  

ETA: sorry just checked and the tomato and courgette one has butter (you could substitute for olive oil) and cheddar but I would think you could miss the cheese out and it would be ok. Maybe add some herbs to give it more flavour? C loves oregano!

[cuckoochick]

Just looking in the Baby-led weaning cookbook and here's another recipe that is cheap and easy:

Tuna and Tomato pasta

Serves 2 adults and 1 baby (you'd need to scale up if B is having this too or I guess it would make loads of portions for D!)

225g pasta
oil for frying
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
185g tin tuna steaks (in spring water or oil, not brine)
1 garlic clove crushed
1tsp mixed herbs/herbs de Provence
400g tin chopped tomatoes, or 400ml passata (or half and half)
dash of balsamic vinegar, to taste

1. Cook pasta according to packet instructions and drain well.
2. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onion for a few minutes, until soft. Break up the tuna and add it to the pan along with the garlic. Cook for 2-3 mins. Add the herbs and stir to mix. Addd the tomatoes or passata and the balsamic vinegar, and stir. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, or longer if you want a thicker sauce.
3. Pour the sauce over the pasta.

Most of them in the AK and the baby-led weaning have dairy in unless it is tomato based sauces.
HTH.

[~Emma~]

 I've not tried her on tomatoes yet. Are they likely to be a problem?

[Jimbob]

You can always replace butter with pure sunflower spread or a oil.

[cuckoochick]

I think they are like strawberries and can have reaction to them so some people avoid. We haven't any allergies in our family so I've been less cautious so C has had both and been fine. I'm not an expert by any  means though.

[Jimbob]

Tomatoes ca be a problem for some, sometimes its just a skin contact issue. I know a lot of people put vaseline around their babies/childs lips as a barier and then wipe their face as soon as they are finished to prevent the problem. I know some people can't eat tomatoes as it will cause issues but it is probably worth a try as it would give you a pasta sauce quite easily.

Kelly x

[~Emma~]

 Thanks ladies. 

[Buntybear]

What about some Ella's kitchen veg pureess as a pasta sauce?

[~Emma~]

 I was just thinking that actually! Cant afford to buy those sachets, waaaaay too expensive but even surely I could whip up a veg puree. 

 

[Jimbob]

You can do it Emma . My 2 loved butternut squash puree. You could start with the vegetables she has had before and build on it that way. Another big hit with my dd was broccoli and sweet potato. There are lots of different tasty combinations though. I will post more later when I have more time.

Kelly x

[~*Nicole*~]

Pumpkin puree makes a nice pasta sauce as well.

[Buntybear]

You can easily make loads of different veg purees in no time. Base of sw pot/BN squash/white potato even swede and any veg you have to hand. Seem to remember some fruits go well with veg but didn't bother with that myself. Puree or chop whatever meat you are having and bung that in if you want a protein meal. Really it is just the cheese that you have to worry about and that won't make much difference to dishes if you leave it out.

Have you tried fish yet? How is she with finger foods?

Could you make some of your meals dairy free that she could share?

[~Emma~]

 She had fish way back when when she was having dairy but hasn't had it since...just no idea how to make it for her.

 I know you must all think I'm pretty stupid but I am so bad in the kitchen. I do cook all our family meals but I am an OCD menu planner and follow a recipe for every single thing I make for dinner! There are dishes I have made for years and only recently have had the confidence to wing it. 


 I have made some puree for mixing with pasta though all by my wee self! 

[cuckoochick]

Great stuff Emma! My DH does most of the cooking here as he loves it. I have mostly followed recipes for C's stuff as I like to think the experts have it all balanced!

Just looked in the annabel karmel and most of the fish recipes are cooked in milk and have butter or cheese.

In the baby-led weaning book there is a fishcake recipe and a Thai green fish curry recipe. If you fancy them let me know and I'll post.