How to introduce herbs and spices to baby
Sometime ago I have written about how guilty I felt about the way I started Bella off with solid foods, and what I have learned from my experience.
This time around with Khaleeli, I wanted to do better.
Alhamdulillah, so far, he has been eating like a boss.
That boy is a junior foodie I tell you, he explores food like nobody's business. He loves his food.
I try my best to give him real food most of the time, but I admit I do give him teething biscuits and off-the-shelf snacks to him once in a while (just trying to keep it real here).
Anyway, since he has not much problem with food, one interesting that I did is I introduced herbs and spices to him early.
Like as early as 7 months old.
I have been doing a lot of reading on baby food, and I have discovered that herbs and spices actually gives variety to the babies palate.
Plus we all know that herbs and spices are superfood, they are pretty much packed with nutritions and healing properties.
So I figured, why not?
I started mixing herbs/spices (in powder form) into Khaleeli's fruit puree, and then progressed into his main course (rice/pasta).
So far, Khaleeli has been eating these herbs with no problems so far:
Nutmeg
I add a dash of nutmeg into almost all of Khaleeli's fruit purees - banana, dates, pumpkin, apricots. It gives such a amazing fragrant to the food too.
Cinnamon
Also added this into purees, as well as his oatmeal or rice cereal (I make my own cereals too :). Cinnamon is my favourite spice! So fragrant and inviting.
Mixed herbs - marjoram,thyme, rosemary, sage, savory
I use mixed herbs in his pasta mostly. Dashed some into his cheesy pasta. Yet to try putting it into his porridge. Should be doing it soon.
Curry powder
Aha, I was skeptic with this but I tried anyway. I started off with just a pinch of chicken curry powder in his pasta stir-fry. I am going to try out kurma powder too.
He loves all of them, eating without fuss and sometimes quite a lot in one serving.
I think that this is a good way to let him explore with flavours and textures and I hope he continues to love his herbs until he is all grown up.
Here is a good place to start if you'd like to experiment with herbs for your baby too :
Wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com
I find this website quite informative as it offers a lot of advice for baby food.
Also, of course, if you would like some recipe inspiration, head here to Annabel Karmel website (don't we all love how those baby foods looks so yummy and pretty?).
Until then, have fun and let me know how yours turned out OK?
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