Friday 30 November 2012

First Food: Broccoli Bonanza



First Food: Broccoli Bonanza

Knowing what to serve your little one when you first start weaning can be tricky so we have popped below a menu with some recipes to help get you started.
 
Menu:
Steamed Broccoli Florets
Broccoli Nuggets (recipe below)
Broccoli Cheese (recipe below)
Broccoli Puree (recipe below)



Broccoli Nuggets

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
8-10 Broccoli florets
Breadcrumbs (2-3tbsp)
Grated cheese (1-2 tbsp)
Full-fat milk (4-6 tbsp)

1.    Steam the broccoli until tender
2.    Preheat the oven to 190C (180 Fan), Gas 5
3.    Allow the broccoli to cool. Pop in the food processor to chop.
4.    Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and mix together to make a gloopy mixture (add more breadcrumbs or cheese to thicken and milk to make wetter)
5.    Shape the mixture in to patties or sausages
6.    Grease a baking sheet and lay out your nuggets and pop in the oven for 20-25 minutes (turning after 10 minutes). They’re cooked when golden and firm

Tip: Try serving with our Cucumber & Mint Dip
Tip: We find the microwave steamers are a great gadget – takes 2-3 minutes to tenderise.


Broccoli Cheese

Preparation time: <5 minutes
Cooking time: <5 minutes
6-8 Broccoli florets
Grated cheese (1-2 handfuls)
Knob of Butter (melted)
Ground Black Pepper & Squeeze of lemon juice (optional)

1.    Steam the broccoli until tender and then tip in to a microwave-safe dish
2.    Pour melted butter and pepper and lemon juice if using on to the broccoli
3.    Sprinkle cheese over the top and pop in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until melted

Tip: Ensure the cheese is cooled thoroughly before serving
Tip: This works as a yummy accompaniment to any meal


Broccoli Puree

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: <5 minutes
1 small potato (peeled and chopped)
1-2 garlic cloves (peeled)
10-12 broccoli florets
250ml low-salt chicken stock
4 tbsp cream cheese
1tbsp parmesan cheese (optional)

1.    Steam / boil the potatoes and broccoli until soft (10-20minutes)
2.    Chuck all the ingredients in a food processor and blitz so it has a mashed potatoey feel

Leftovers: Add more stock to thin the sauce. Stir-in with some cooked pasta for a lovely pasta sauce. Experiment with different shapes of pasta to give variety to the dish.
Leftovers: Pop in a casserole dish, top with some breadcrumbs and cheese and under the grill for 5-10 minutes until golden and bubbling to make a quick Broccoli Gratin


Just to let you know...
Broccoli contains iron and calcium and amazingly also vitamin c which enables the iron and calcium to be absorbed

Broccoli has the same calcium content as milk (but don’t stop the milk feeds just yet)

Broccoli (stems especially) can cause some babies to be quite windy – try adding a small piece of ginger when cooking to counter this

The shape of steamed broccoli florets are perfect for babies to grab hold of and use as a dipper.

Adding 1-2tbsp natural yogurt to our listed recipes can also help with digestion and reduce gas, aiding good bacteria

As broccoli ages, the sugars break down so the broccoli develops a woody texture and a less-sweet taste.

Washing broccoli before storing encourages rotting.

Store broccoli in the fridge in an open plastic bag for prolonged freshness.


Variety doesn’t have to mean different. Try cooking broccoli florets in chicken stock for a slightly different taste.
 
We like to set our little ones a good example and encourage sharing. We don't mind you using any of the information, recipes and tips from our website, all we ask is that you credit us hard-working mummies here at Yummy Discoveries. 
Thank you x


©Yummy Discoveries Ltd.

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