Baby Dinner Recipes
From Our Readers

These baby dinner recipes were sent in by our visitors - browse through these unique and imaginative suggestions and see what other babies are having for dinner!

Please note: The comments with many of these recipes - including the suggested age of introduction - come from the parents who submitted them. Please discuss the introduction of any new foods with your child's doctor.

Your Baby Food Ideas - 'Baby's Got A Cold' Soup

From Aysha in the United States

6 crushed Saltine crackers (we recommend using low sodium crackers with NO salt topping)
1/2 cup (4fl oz) chicken stock/broth, unseasoned
1/2 tsp fresh pressed garlic
1/2 tsp fresh, finely chopped parsley
2 tsp very finely chopped carrot

Great for when your little one feels sick and/or can't keep most foods down.

1. Just crush saltines and put them in a small, microwavable, bowl.
2. Add stock, garlic, parsley, and carrot. Mix well.
3. Cover bowl with lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.
4. Place bowl in microwave and cook on high for one and a half minutes.
5. Remove bowl from microwave, uncover and stir well. Let soup cool for up to five minutes, or add a small ice cube to soup and stir it in.
6. Once soup is warm, and not hot, let your little one enjoy. Depending on age, this can also be used in a sippy cup.

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Your Baby Food Ideas - Spring Pea Soup

From Angela in the United States

1 cup (8oz) frozen peas, thawed
1/3 cup (approx 3oz) light sour cream
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup (8 fl oz) chicken stock (homemade, or low sodium)
4-6 fresh mint leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt (please note - although Angela has listed salt in this recipe, we recommend avoiding it for AT LEAST the first year)
pinch nutmeg

Puree all ingredients in the blender until smooth. Serve hot or cold - great for adults, too!

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Baby Dinner Recipes - Cheesy Potatoes for Two

From Nancy in the United States

1 extra large or 2 medium large potatoes
Water to cook potatoes in
1/2 cup (4 fl oz) milk
1/2 cup (4 fl oz) yogurt
1/2 cup (4oz) of your favorite shredded cheese
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon of your favorite no-salt herb seasoning

1. Peel and chop the potatoe(s).
2. Place in cooking pot and add water to cover potatoes. Cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender.
3. Drain off and discard water.
4. Add to cooking pot: milk, yogurt, cheese, black pepper, and seasoning mix.
5. Mash with a potato masher until the mixture is smooth.
6. Makes a serving each for parent and tot!

Note: We enjoy a tomato-basil no-salt herb blend as a seasoning. You may also adjust the amount of milk, yogurt, and cheese to get the precise consistency you desire. Mom, just add a salad to eat with your cheesy potatoes, and your grown-up lunch is done. Enjoy!

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Winning recipe - January 2008

Baby Dinner Recipes - Baby's Italian Chicken Stew

From Sarah in the US

1/2 tablespoon butter
1 good glug of olive oil (probably about 2 teaspoons or so)
1 garlic clove, roasted and diced (if you are only roasting one, just toss it into the microwave for about 45 seconds with the papery husk still on - roasting will really mellow out the flavor when you are just introducing it to baby's palate)
1 small zucchini (courgette), diced
1/2 yellow squash, diced
1/2 of a large stalk of celery, diced
one carrot (or the equivalency thereof, I used about 6 baby carrots), grated
1 chicken thigh, cooked and diced - about 1 cup (8oz)
1/4 cup (2oz) Pastina
1 cup (8 fl oz) no-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup (4 fl oz) water

1. In a medium sized saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter with the olive oil.
2. Add garlic and allow to steep for about a minute before adding all other vegetables.
3. Saute vegetables for about five minutes before adding chicken. Stir and cook for about five more minutes.
4. Add pasta, broth and water and cook, mostly covered (tilt the lid) for fifteen minutes.
5. Check softness of the pasta to make sure it is soft enough for baby, and decide whether or not it needs a minute or two more.
6. It is up to you, but I added the teeniest, tiniest pinch of kosher salt (we're talking about 1/8 teaspoon) to season to taste for my little man.

For older babies, feel free to add in a little bit of onion, tomato and bell pepper for more flavor! I recommend adding the onion and/or bell pepper before the garlic and sauteing on it's own for a few minutes (until translucent for the onion and until the bell pepper is soft) before adding the remainder of the vegetables, to cut the spicy and bitiness of both.

If you are using fresh, diced tomatoes, add in with the pastina, and if you are using canned, make sure you use a good organic variety. It'll taste better!

Now, you know your baby. Either serve as is for those starting to feed themselves, or blend to the desired chunkiness (I used my stick blender directly in the pot and it was perfect.)

Refrigerate for up to one week or freeze in portion sizes for up to three months

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Winning recipe - December 2007

Baby Dinner Recipes - Barley and Turkey for Two

From Nancy in the US

2 cups (16 fl oz) boiling water
1 cup (8oz) quick-cooking pearl barley
1 cup (8oz) diced, cooked turkey meat
1/2 cup (4oz) diced, cooked broccoli
1/2 cup (4oz) plain yogurt
2 teaspons favorite no-salt herb seasoning blend (or to taste)

1. Boil 2 cups water in saucepan and add barley.
2. Stir, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until barley is soft.
3. Remove pan from heat and let sit 5 minutes.
4. Add to saucepan: turkey, broccoli, yogurt, and seasoning blend. Mix well.
5. Remove 1 cup of mixture from saucepan for serving(s) for adult(s).
6. If desired for smooth texture of child's portions, whirl remaining mixture in blender or mash well with fork.
7. Divide remaining child's mixture in 4 ounce portions.
8. Store child's portions in covered containers in refrigerator.

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Baby Dinner Recipes - Cheesy Chicken

From Brenda in Canada

2tsp unsalted butter
1tsp flour
1/4 cup (2 fl oz) milk
1/4 cup (2oz) cooked chicken breast, shredded
1/2 cooked, sweet potato, cubed
1/8 cup (1oz) cooked carrot, chopped
1tbsp Cheddar cheese, grated

1. Put the butter into a small saucepan and melt it over a low heat.
2. Stir in the flour and cook gently for 2-3 mins.
3. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly and continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens.
4. Next, add the chicken, sweet potato and carrot and cook for a few more minutes.
5. Finally, stir in the grated cheese and keep cooking until all the cheese has melted!

Sometimes I add peas instead of carrots, but you can use any vegetable that your baby likes!

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Winning recipe - November 2007

Baby Dinner Recipes - Chicken Breast with Vegetables

1 thin slice of chicken breast
3/4 cup chopped carrot (2 carrots)
2/3 cup chopped potato (1 potato)
1/2 cup (4oz) broccoli
1/2 cup (4oz) cauliflower
1 stem of dill
1/2 stem of thyme
1 egg yolk
2-3 drops of olive oil

1. Wash and peel all vegetables.
2. Chop into small pieces and place in a steamer. Add dill and thyme. Steam for 15 min.
3. Cook chicken breast on low for about 20-30 min, or till tender. Save the broth.
4. Boil the egg, take out just the yolk. (I find this suitable for babies from 8 months).
5. Put everything in a blender and blend. Use chicken broth to get consistency your baby likes.

I also used breast milk when my boy was younger instead of broth, and I skipped the yolk. Makes around 16 oz of food, store in a 4 oz containers to satisfy one feeding. Olive oil is important for Vitamin A absorption. Hope your baby will enjoy the new flavours of these herbs. Bon Apetite!

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From Maureen in the USA

1 pound ground beef (I use 80/20)
1 cup (8oz) bread crumbs
2 eggs
3/4 cup (6 fl oz) milk
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Note from editor: We recommend avoiding salt in the diet of young babies, so you may prefer to omit the salt from this recipe.

1. Preheat oven to 375 deg F.
2. Mix all ingredients in bowl by hand.
3. Divide meat into 6 mini portions and place in muffin tin.
4. Bake for 30 minutes
5. When meatloaves have cooled, pop them out of muffin tins and place in separate freezer bags.
6. Perfect little portion for 6 meals!

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Baby Dinner Recipes - Salmon and Broccoli in a Cheesy Sauce

From Louise in the UK

1 fillet salmon (skinless)
handful of broccoli florets (frozen is ok)
30g (1oz) unsalted butter
1 tbsp plain flour
5 fl oz full fat milk
30g cheddar cheese

1. Cook the salmon in the microwave at full temp for 3-4 mins until its cooked completely all the way through. This time may vary for different models.
2. Steam the broccoli until cooked. This usually takes about 5/6 mins.
3. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour and cook, while stirring for a minute.
4. Take off the heat, whisk in the milk.
5. Put back on the heat and stir continuously until thickened.
6. Blitz the salmon and broccoli in a food processor until it reaches the desired consistency.
7. Pour over the cheese sauce and mix in.

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Baby Dinner Recipes - Cuban Black Beans and Plantains

From Angela in the US

1 very ripe plantain
2 teaspoons butter or canola oil
1/2 cup (4oz) canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup (4oz) cooked white rice
pinch of cinnamon
pinch or cumin
pinch of salt (unsuitable for younger babies - read more here)
juice of half a lemon (optional)

1. Peel the plantain and cut it into 1/2 inch rounds.
2. In a medium skillet, heat the butter over medium heat and add the sliced plantain.
3. Cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned.
4. Strain and keep the broth.
5. Put the cooked plantains, black beans, rice, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and lemon juice in a food processor and pulse until a chunky paste forms.

This is good for babies who are eating chunkier foods, but it can be made into a puree if you like.

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Your Baby Food Ideas - Cracked Wheat with Chicken and Potato

From Ayesha in the US

1 cup of cracked wheat (soak in water about 30 mins)
1 potato
2 to 3 big pieces of boneless chicken
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper (optional)
pinch of salt (unsuitable for younger babies - read more here)
2 cups (16 fl oz) of milk
1 cup (8 fl oz) of water
1 tablespoon of butter

1. Melt the butter in a pan, add garlic and fry for about 30 seconds.
2. Add the water and, when it boils, add the cracked wheat.
3. Next, add the potato and chicken and mix well for about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add the milk , black pepper and salt (if using) and leave it on a medium flame for about 15 minutes (stirring occasionally).
5. Finally, stir it thoroughly with the spoon until well mixed and thick, like a puree.

My baby Aayan likes this recipe a lot!

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Baby Dinner Recipes - Pumpkin Rice Porridge

From Eva in Malaysia

chicken bones
knob of ginger
a whole carrot, peeled and cut into large chunks
quarter cup (2oz) rice
½ cup (4oz) cleaned and chopped carrot

1. Boil the chicken bones, ginger and carrot in 2-3 cups (16-24 fl oz) of water. Reduce heat to simmer.
2. Occassionaly skim off any residue that floats to the top.
3. Boil until reduced to ½ the liquid.
4. Strain and keep the broth.
5. Boil the washed rice and chopped pumpkin in the broth until you get porridge consistency. You may need to add a little more water.
6. Depending on the age of your baby, either blend the mixture or mash with masher before feeding.

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Your Baby Food Ideas - Chicken and Vegetable Puree

From Josefina in the United States

1 small sweet potato
1 small red potato
1/2 chicken breast (no skin, no bones, as lean as possible)
6 fresh green beans
1 small carrot
1 small beet
1 small piece of squash

1. Place everything in a pot and bring to a boil over a low fire. Simmer slowly, until chicken is done (about 15 to 20 minutes - don't over cook!).
2. Save the liquid and place all the ingredients in a food procesor or blender.
3. Add 1/4 cup (2 fl oz) of the broth created by boiling the ingredients, and process to desired consistency.
4. Place in jars and store in the refrigerator until use - this can also be frozen.

Healthy baby food is important. This recipe has everything babies need - it is fresh and includes vitamins and minerals plus it can be prepared for feeding a few days in a row, or for freezing. My kids are now 47 and 44 but they grew healthy with my homemade easy-to-do food - and they love the sweet potato flavor!

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Baby Dinner Recipes - Curry Rice

From Prakash in the UK

1 and a 1/2 tablespoon Basmati rice
1 tablespoon peas (fresh or frozen)
1 tablespoon broad beans (fresh or frozen)
1 tablespoon onion (finely chopped)
1 tablespoon tomato (finely chopped)
1/2 teaspoon ginger and garlic - take equal amounts of each and crush into a fine paste
2 pinches cinnamon powder
2 sprigs coriander leaves (finely chopped)
2 teaspoons oil
250-300 ml (9-10 Ounces) water

1. Heat oil in a thick bottomed vessel and add the onion. Fry it until translucent.
2. Add the ginger garlic paste and fry for a minute.
3. Add the tomato and cinnamon powder and keep mixing till the tomato turns mushy.
4. Add the washed rice and the peas and the broad beans and mix for a few seconds.
5. Add the coriander leaves.
6. Add water and pressure cook (once the pressure has fully developed heat at medium flame for about 15 minutes).
7. When the pressure becomes normal remove the rice. It will be slightly overcooked.
8. Mash it with a spoon while hot.
9. Discard the skin of the peas, tomato and broad beans before feeding your baby.

I started giving this to my daughter when she was 9 months old and this is one of her favorite meals. I like this because it is a complete food- containing carbohydrates, proteins, fats and different vegetables. Instead of broad beans and peas you can use red lentil (Masoor dal) and/or Mung dal (green gram dal). You could also use a variety of vegetables like carrot and string beans or a mixture of lentils/vegetables/peas/broad beans. While making this for older children and adults reduce the water (to about 8 ounces), add some salt and green chili or red chili powder (if you like it hot). Yogurt is a good accompaniment for this dish.

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Baby Dinner Recipes - Mashed Plantain with Mung Bean

From Regha in the UK

1 ripe plantain
3 teaspoons mung bean (without skin)
1 teaspoon mashed avocado
100 ml (about 3 ounces) water

1. Wash the Mung bean (green gram beans) and add 100 ml water.
2. Peel the plantain, cut into 4-5 pieces and add to the Mung bean.
3. Cook in a pressure cooker at medium flame for 7-8 minutes (after the pressure has developed). If you are not using a pressure cooker, increase the amount of water and cook till the Mung bean can be easily mashed into a paste.
4. Once the pressure becomes normal open the cooker. Mash the contents and remove the black thread like part of the plantain (running along its length in the centre).
5. Add the mashed avocado while still hot and mix well.

Cooked ripe plantain is one of the first solid foods I gave to my daughter, starting when she was just 6 months. Ripe plantain is a very good source of carbohydrates and addition of Mung bean and avocado makes it a more a more healthy food containing proteins and fats.

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Baby Dinner Recipes - Linguini In Yogurt Sauce

From Selina in Canada

8oz linguini
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1tsp olive oil
2tsp finely chopped fresh parsley
4oz (1/2 cup) natural yogurt

1. Cook the linguini using the instructions on the packet.
2. While it's cooking, mix the olive oil, garlic, parsley and yogurt together.
3. Drain the linguini, then add the yogurt sauce and mix it all together.

This is really easy to make and I chop it up into little pieces for my son - sometimes he has it for his main meal and we have it as a side dish with our dinner. Don't make more than you need, though, because it doesn't store well.

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Baby Dinner Recipes - Mashed Root Veggies

From Corinne in the UK

4oz (1/2 cup) carrots, peeled and sliced
4oz (1/2 cup) swede (rutabaga), peeled and chopped
4oz (1/2 cup) turnips, peeled and chopped
a little freshly grated nutmeg

1. Put the prepared veggies in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil, then simmer steadily for 20-25 mins until the veggies are tender.
2. Drain, keeping aside some of the cooking water.
3. Mash the veggies together, using some of the cooking water to keep everything soft and moist.
4. Add the nutmeg, stir and the mash is ready to eat!

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Winning recipe - June 2007

Please note: - not all the ingredients in this recipe may be suitable for YOUR child. Whereas many babies love strawberries and enjoy them during their first year, in other infants they may trigger an allergic reaction. If you are concerned about using strawberries, you may wish to try a different fruit that your baby enjoys!

Your Baby Food Ideas - Sweet Potato with Tofu and Strawberries

4oz (1/2 cup) sweet potato
1 to 2 oz (1/8 to 1/4 cup) tofu
1 tsp butter
4 to 5 strawberries

1. Peel the sweet potato and cut into medium sized pieces. Add just enough water to cover the pieces. Cook until soft. Keep heating at low flame so that all the water is absorbed. Mash it to make a smooth paste.
2. Melt butter in pan for about 15-20 seconds.
3. Wash the tofu in water. Crumble the tofu well with hands. Add this to the melted butter and fry for about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the mashed sweet potato to the fried tofu and mix well for 2-3 minutes.
5. Mash the strawberries. Mix them with the sweet potato tofu mixture just before serving.

VARIATION: Instead of tofu you can use green gram or mung dal (easily available in Indian grocery shops) or lentils as a source of protein. Cook about 50 grams of mung dal in water until it is soft and mash it well and use instead of tofu in step 3.

NOTES: The cooking time can be considerably reduced if sweet potato and mung dal are cooked in the pressure cooker. Pour enough water in the pressure cooker and in that place the vessel containing sweet potato pieces without any water. After the pressure develops cook for 8-10 minutes in medium flame.

For cooking mung dal in the pressure cooker add twice the volume of water (for 1 cup mung dal 2 cups water) and cook for 6 minutes in medium flame minutes after pressure has developed.

SUITABILITY: This food is suitable for babies from 6 months. This is a very healthy food for babies and adults as it good source of carbohydrates proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber. For toddlers and adults the sweet potato and tofu can be mashed into bigger lumps. Addition of strawberries has really improved the taste of this dish and I also have started having this for breakfast!

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Winning recipe - May 2007


Baby Dinner Recipes - Veggie Semolina

5 tsp semolina
1 carrot, finely chopped
10-15 leaves spinach
1 tomato (chopped)
1 small scoop cabbage (finely chopped)
1/2 tsp butter

NOTE: Other vegetables as cauliflower, bell pepper, broccoli or any other vegetable that your baby loves could be used. But they should be finely chopped.

1. Heat a pan and pour semolina into it. Cook until it changes the color to light brown and remove from the pan.
2. In another pan, boil all the vegetables except the tomatoes. Mash the tomatoes so that they form a thick puree.
3. Now, heat a pan and put butter in it. When the butter melts pour in the tomatoes and cook until they become soft.
4. Add the veggies into the pot, mix well and pour in a cup of water, then bring it to a boil.
5. Now add the semolina and keep stirring the mixture until it becomes thick. NOTE: do not completely dry the water, the mixture should be in a semipuree form.
6.Remove the semolina veggie from the pan into the serving bowl, and if your baby likes cheese, sprinkle some over it and serve.

This is a nutritious dish comprising vegetables and wheat which is completely healthy for your baby. I think your baby will love the taste as my baby loves it!

NOTES: The recipe is suitable for babies aged 7 months and above and is prepared on the hob.

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Baby Dinner Recipes - Pumpkin, Apple and Potatoes Yummy Soup

From Molly in Malaysia

1 small potato
pumpkin - half of a quarter
1-2 apples

1. Skin and cut potatoes, apples and pumpkin into small cubes.
2. Cover with just enough water and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes or until soft.
3. Blend the three ingredients and serve immediately at right temperature for your baby.
4. For older babies, for adults ....and for greater taste, add some olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.

Note: It tastes really great, a naturally good and yummy pumpkin soup, thickened with potatoes and sweetened with apple. Perfect for young babies and adults too. My husband and baby love this!

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