I told myself I would not feed little C something I would not also eat myself. So far I have been able to, for the most part, stick to that (just adding a little seasoning for me until she is old enough to have more for herself). Her vegetable soup gets some sea salt and a slick of olive oil and it is ready for mama. Her spinach and leek risotto get a shower of grated Manchego cheese for me. Her malunggay and rice ends up in my bowl with just a dash of fish sauce. I am hoping that this path will lead to her enjoy the same things we do — ultimately to healthier eating habits and (also very important) me never having to make special “kid-friendly” dishes in addition to what is already on the table.
That term, “kid-friendly dishes”, confuses me. Most of the things I see touted as “kid-friendly” are not in fact very friendly, especially not if that is all they get served. Chicken nuggets, mini hotdogs (!!), and all kinds of sweetened and flavored snacks. Now, don’t get me wrong, I will eat all the aforementioned foods, but I am over 30 and have already grown to appreciate the world’s many wonderful (and healthier) flavors. I’m not in danger of being spoilt for the more delicate flavors like those of vegetables and fruits. I can eat a hotdog today and know that it’s not that good for me and I won’t be eating another one in a while. But for a child whose palate is just being formed, whose tastes are just beginning to take shape, wouldn’t it better, and truly more “kid-friendly”, to give them foods for which we hope they will develop an undying affection? Like broccoli? And yogurt?
Yogurt with Stewed Plums
(feeds baby and mum!)
- 1 plum
- 1 tablespoon water (approximate)
- 1/3 cup natural unflavored Greek yogurt
– Peel, de-seed, and slice the plum into eight wedges.
– Place plum wedges in a pan where they all fit snugly in one layer. Add about a tablespoon of water. You want the water to just barely cover the bottom of the pan, no more (there is liquid enough in the fruit).
– Place pan over low heat, cover, and cook until plums soften and start to collapse. Set aside to cool.
– Place yogurt in a bowl. Take about 1-2 tablespoons of yogurt out of that and into a smaller bowl for baby. Top baby’s portion with about a teaspoon and a half of stewed plums and place the rest on mum’s yogurt.
– Enjoy!
Fruits are a fantastic way to add a bit of sweetness to your baby’s yogurt or cereal (I only did this though after she had tasted yogurt without any embellishment — so she could first appreciate its natural flavor). I think if you start off this way you can try this for as long you can to avoid extra sugar. We will see 🙂
As a person at the beginning of her gastronomic journey, little C is like a blank slate, ready to be filled with every taste and flavor and aroma she can get in her toothy grin. As much as I am capable, I’d like those first tastes to be ones that are good for her, and ones that C and I enjoy as well.
Mmmm, this looks yummy for me! :)))
Applesauce/Stewed apples was a hit with my little one before, and now she likes it with a hint of cinnamon and brown sugar.
I agree kid-friendly food should be yummy+healthy food!
That image looks perfect to represent wholesome autumn foods
Lucky little one, yours! With all the talk of what children are eating for lunch these days that isn't healthy, I'm thinking that will never be a problem for you 🙂
plums… its the season!
Hey my 3 y.o. nephew so is so Brit is a gourmand at his age… like you my sister never fed him "baby children's food" ….
Hi Mom-Friday! I feed her stewed apples as well, and after a bit introduced a hint of cinnamon too 🙂 I think "healthy" has gotten a very undeserved bad rap amongst kids 🙁
Hi Brittany! Thank you 🙂 I've always wanted to experience an autumn!
Hi Kelly! I'm not a perfectly healthy eater but I do try my best! 🙂
Hi Sha! Heehee! I don't mind if she's not a gourmand…I just hope she grows to prefer "real" food 🙂
That's a lovely way of introducing a baby to the taste of yogurt. 🙂 My maternal grandmother did practically the same thing, only she used mashed fresh mango instead of plums.
(Oh, and I saw the picture of you and Little C in this month's Yummy; so cute!)
looks so delicious!
Well it looks interesting and tasty, what about if i will feed my 9 month son with it? First i will try for my self anyway, thanks for the tips
Lucky little C – it looks delicious Joey. Our boys always ate the same meals as us. They both have great palates, are great cooks, and are adventurous in their tastes. Sadly they succumb to fast food joints when out with their mates, which I think is more a cost thing for them. It's the cheapest option.
looks delicious! soeren adored fruit of all kinds with yogurt or quark. he still does! i always cooked for soeren too and like you it was important that what he ate i would eat too! perfect!
I think some have confused kid-friendly food to convenient food which are mostly not healthy. Kudos to you for raising your little one right.
Yum, I would totally eat that too! I really agree with your kid-friendly-food philosophy. Selle did the same thing and Sofia never went for kiddie meals. So much so that she now gets jahe in school when she eats her sinigang and her classmates eat their pizza and nuggets. haha!
Hi Midge! Thanks! I snuck in a photo, heehee 😉 Oooh mangoes! Soon, soon 🙂 I actually let her eat it plain first so she could taste it as is before I added anything else 🙂
Thanks Paula 🙂
Hi Articut! My daughter just turned 9 months 🙂
Hi Barbara! Hopefully little C grows up to have a good palate as well! We all succumb to fast food once in a while I think…it’s just important for these little ones not to develop a taste for it 🙂 I am very familiar with the cost thing!
Hi Meeta! I hope she grows up loving them too! I like to think we will enjoy the same things 🙂 At least I hope so!
Hi Caroline! Thanks! You are right!
Hi Mireille! Aw! Reminds me of Gab (younger son of tito Nacho and tita Maritess) who loves sinigang! But really, so much better than those nuggets!
look like your lil' princess already building up a very worldy (besides of healthy) gastronomic experience – Italian risotto, Spanish cheese, Asian sauce, and now greek yogurt! Lucky girl!
It sounds to me like you have a very good idea of what is good for your kid! And you're right; it's sooo important that they learn to appreciate the healthier foods! This yogurt with stewed plums would feed me just fine too!
Hi Gattina! I hope so! She loves the yogurt 🙂
Hi Junglefrog! I believe we should take advantage now during this time that we actually control what our kids eat 😉
I love stewed plums but, weirdly, have never thought to eat them with yoghurt. A must try I think 🙂
Yum!! love the looks of this!!
Hello Any Idiot Can 🙂 I'm sure you will like it!
Hi Ash! Thanks 🙂