Mixed Fruit Jam Recipe

Here is something all of us love, kid or adult alike! Why deprieve the baby of it just cos he cant have sugar? So I make this truly yummy (trust me on this, we haven't bought jam in our house since months now!) and of course far healthier than jam easy to make recipe. It is sweet, it is an awesome side dish for bread or roti or just about anything as it makes baby eat more of the main dish and it is a one shot at getting all the 4 or 5 fruits for the day in :)

It also comes in handy on the days when Athyn wants to eat only biscuits (its a trend that occurs once a week or so :P) - at least some fruits go in along with the biscuits.

Method to make Mixed Fruit Jam 

1. Peel and cut an apple into small pieces.
2. Add papaya, mango, banana and whichever fruit you would like to add.
3. Bring in at least 3 to 4 pieces of musk melon (cantaloupe), this ensures the sugary and sticky jam-like feel.
4. Steam for 20 minutes or pressure cook for 3 whistles 
5. Hand mash very finely or just give a quick blend

I have used more of mangoes as I love the taste of it with mangoes, Try to use really sweet fruits, check for sweetness before you add them. This works as a great evening snack in itself if the baby is 6 or 7 months. You can dip butter toasted bread or roti in it for older babies. You can also simply add it to the baby's rice / wheat cereal too!

Excuse the bad pictures, its impossible to dress up the food and click when a hungry baby is pouncing at the plate :)

Spinach and Papaya Puree

What do you do when your baby is low on iron while being exclusively breastfed (formula-fed babies have an iron-fortified advantage, breastmilk lacks the iron), hates orange juice (vit c helps absorb iron) and over that the iron drops make him constipated? Well I came up with this magic potion!

This Spinach-Papaya Puree is a definite relief from constipation and a great source of iron especially for vegetarian babies. Papaya is fiber rich and was recommended by both my mom and the pediatrician for relief against constipation, when asked to stop using the iron drops. I was very worried to stop the iron drops knowing he has a low count through blood work. So I made up my mind and ensure he gets greens in his everyday diet. I add at least a handful of spinach to his Kichdi everyday for lunch.

But somedays that just wont do. When more is needed, the puree form has to come in. Although Athyn is not a big fan on purees, this one is a hit with him, am guessing cos of the sweetness Papaya brings in.

Method to make Spinach and Papaya Puree

1. Take a handful of Spinach leaves and double and triple wash them.
2. Wash, peel and cut Papaya, use about 4 to 5 big pieces.
3. Chop the Spinach roughly and place it along with the Papaya for cooking.
4. Add minimal water and pressure cook for 15 to 20 minutes or 3 to 4 whistles.
5. Remove from flame and throw in some cheese (optional) while it is still hot
6. Once the cheese melts and cools down, blend the mixture along with sweet lime or orange juice (made with 1 part juice and 10 parts water) as this helps absorb the iron from the spinach, or just (previously boiled and cooled) water, until it is pureed well.

Serve this directly for 7 months+ babies. For older babies and toddlers, you can serve it along with roti, idli, dosa or spread on bread. You can also add it to nestum / cerelac or cooked oats.

If you do not want to add cheese, add other ingredients like dates and apricots while pressure cooking to enrich the flavor as well as the nutrients.

Be aware, too much spinach causes diarrhea in some babies. Moderate the quantities according to your baby's digestion patterns.