Homemade Baby Foods Using Herbs and Spices To Expand Your Baby's Palate

    One of the many benefits of homemade baby food is versatility. Once baby has been exposed to herbs and spices, a single ingredient recipe can take on a multitude of culinary experiences. Although it is not recommended to add sugar or salt to baby’s food, the use of many common spices are a great way to help baby expand her familiarity with different tastes and learn to enjoy natural flavors.

I usually wait to add spices and herbs until right before serving instead of when freezing or storing. That way if I find something baby really likes (or doesn’t), I can tailor meals to her preferences and continually try new combinations.

Most pediatricians recommend waiting until 8 months to introduce spices, and keep in mind the 4 day rule. As always, please discuss the introduction of any new food, herb or spice with your baby’s doctor.

A few combinations to get you started:

Vegetables:

• Sweet Potatoes - Cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, vanilla*, pumpkin pie spice
• Pumpkin - Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, ground cloves, vanilla*, pumpkin pie spice
• Carrots - Basil, garlic, cinnamon
• Green Beans - Garlic
• White Potatoes - Garlic, dill, anise
• Butternut squash and winter squash - garlic, ground cloves

Fruits:

Rosemary

• Apples - Cinnamon, vanilla*
• Bananas - Ginger, lemon zest
• Pears - Ginger, vanilla*
• Blueberries - vanilla*
• Peaches - vanilla*

Grains:

• Oatmeal - Cinnamon, vanilla*, nutmeg
• Pasta - Oregano, basil, parsley

Meats:

• Chicken - rosemary, cinnamon and coriander, garlic, basil, lemon zest, parsley, sage, thyme
• Turkey - garlic, basil, parsley, sage, thyme

Dairy:

• Plain yogurt - vanilla*, mint

*An important note about vanilla

Vanilla extract contains on average 35% alcohol, used to stabilize and preserve the flavor. Make sure you’re using natural vanilla flavor or a dash of ground vanilla beans.

Have you found any winning combinations? Let me know!

  For more interesting information on this please visit  Vanilla Pumpkin - Homemade Baby Food Blog