When the time comes to switch to purees, you have to make a choice between commercial purees and homemade purees. A choice? Let's talk about a practical combination instead!
Homemade purees
Why choose to make homemade purees? Often, mothers find the taste of small jars rather bland and the flavors very different from those of ripe fresh fruit. Make a comparison to convince yourself. Also, by making your own purees, it is possible to offer a wider variety of foods to baby.
In small jars, your choice is rather limited, whereas if you make your own, you can use almost any vegetable, fruit and meat, including legumes. For example, cantaloupes, mangoes, avocados and fish are quite rare on the market! Homemade purees are also very economical. When you plan your weekly shopping for the whole family, you plan for baby too!
Visit public markets and greengrocers, they will inspire you while allowing you to save money. And if you take the time to compare the cost of small jars, you will find that they are quite more expensive than the homemade purees that you prepare yourself.same.
The choice of foods
Choose very fresh and very ripe fruits and vegetables. If, for example, during the cold season, the varieties of fruit and vegetables come from outside the country and they are not very ripe, let them ripen before cooking them. To help them, put them in a brown paper bag and you can use them faster. If you buy frozen fruits and vegetables, check that they have no added s alt or sugar. If using canned vegetables and fruits, rinse them with water before using as they often contain s alt or sugar.
| Purées | Fridge at 4°C | Freezer at -18°C or 0°F |
|
Vegetables and fruits |
2-3 days |
6 months |
|
Meat, poultry, fish |
1-2 days |
1-2 months |
|
Meat with vegetables |
1-2 days |
1-2 months |
How to prepare homemade purees?
Each recipe is prepared differently, but there are basic rules to obtain a tasty and very nutritious mash, while being of good quality and of adequate preservation.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and the surface on which you prepare your food.
- You must wash and peel thevegetables and fruits. If it's vegetables that you can't peel, soak them for at least an hour, then change the water to remove any pesticides that might get on the peel. If possible, use organic food.
- Steam vegetables and fruits most often with little water. Do not add too much water, because you will lose their nutrients in the cooking water. You won't need a lot of water, except for the winter squash which should be baked.
- Fruits like melon, cantaloupe, banana and pineapple do not need to be cooked.
To puree food, use the food processor or blender. These devices contain specific degrees of speed to make purees. Use a little water to make nice smooth purées. Do not add s alt, sugar, butter or other seasonings.
When baby gets older, you can mash his food with a fork or a potato masher.
We have delicious puree recipes to inspire you! 12 quick purees and 25 puree ideas.
How to store and freeze them?
Pour the puree into sealable containers or use ice cube molds that you cover with wax paper before freezing. They're handy and great for perfect portioning, while being easy to carry around whenyou're on the go.
Allow lukewarm purées to cool before putting them in the refrigerator, then in the freezer.
Identify your bags or jars. Take note of their contents, the date they were cooked, and the product's expiration date. Trust our small table at the top.
TipDon't cook too much, because the texture of your purées will change as your baby grows. They will go from very smooth to creamier, then to thicker with chunks. It would be a shame to have to throw away food!
Commercial purees in jars or frozen
They are both very practical and accessible in a wide variety. Rich in nutritional values, they are ready at any time. However, do not buy too many of them, as they may lose their freshness over time. And as with homemade purees, baby may quickly change her taste for textures, and you could get stuck with lots of unused jars.
If you want to try commercial purées from home, turn to the products of La Mère Poule. This Montreal company, which was founded 23 years ago, offers two distinct ranges of purees: one for Beginners (6 to 8 months) and one for Juniors(8 months and over). The first includes no less than eighteen flavors ranging from apples and prunes to mango andturkey, butternut squash and sweet potato. All having a very smooth texture, these purees will allow your little one to develop his tastes. The second range, meanwhile, includes nine flavors such as beef parmentier, chicken cacciatore and pork with leeks, as well as thicker and grainier textures, just to help learning to chew. With the mission of concocting he althy, quality and home-cooked baby food, La Mère Poule promises organic, original, natural frozen food, free of preservatives, no added s alt, sugar or starch, allergen-free (some are even gluten-free) and prepared as you would in your own home. Convenience, without the guilt!
Tips for potties
- Never buy or use a cracked jar with a rusty lid.
- Check the freshness dates on the jars and then place them in the correct order to rotate.
- When you open a small jar, make sure you hear a slight "pop" when you open it. This phenomenon, which is due to occlusion, is necessary to guarantee the good taste of the food. If the lid does not rattle, do not serve it to baby.
- Always look at the inside of the lid, it is an excellent guide to the freshness of its contents.
- A small jar that has already been opened cannot be stored for more than 48 hours in a refrigerator. In addition, do not offer food directly from the smalljar, as baby's saliva could contaminate and alter the rest of the contents.
