How to Make Pureed Peas With Rice for Baby
This Pea Baby Puree with mint is a smooth and mild baby food puree that is perfect for your baby's first bite! Your baby will love this green puree thanks to its fresh and earthy flavor. It's a great stage 1 baby food for 4-6 months and up.
Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Homemade Pea Baby Food
Don't get caught up on what you think pea baby food is going to taste like.
Store-bought brands can be thick and lumpy with a strong acidic taste of overly cooked peas. Don't even get me started on the smell! 🤢
But this homemade pea puree is exactly the opposite! And trust me; it tastes nothing like you expect.
I'm telling you… this pea baby food is beyond delicious. It's heavenly!
Smooth and creamy with a mild taste and a hint of minty freshness, it's also bright and appetizing to look at.
It will actually put a smile on your and your baby's faces! 😁
Is it your first time making homemade baby food? Then I suggest you start this journey by reading my in-depthGuide on How to Make Homemade Baby Food. The detailed guide goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on hand, safe storage, how to know when baby is ready for solids, how to introduce purees, the best first foods for baby, and more! You can also check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!
Pea Baby Puree Video
Watch this video to see just how easy this Pea Baby Puree is to make!
Reasons to Love this Pea Baby Puree
- great baby food for 4-6+ months
- starter puree
- 3 simple ingredients
- super smooth and creamy
- delicious green puree
- easy to make — requires less than 10 minutes
- freezer-friendly
- budget-friendly
- homemade
- healthy
- organic – can easily (and cheaply) use organic peas and zucchini
- can use fresh or frozen peas
Ingredients
Make sure to read the recipe card below for full ingredient list and instructions!
- Peas: They are high in fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, and K, and are a good source of protein. They also help promote healthy digestion and may protect against cancer.
- Zucchini: While this is a 2-vegetable starter puree, zucchini allergies are very low, so I added it to this recipe to give the peas a mild taste and a smoother, creamier texture. You can completely leave it out if you prefer. Just steam the peas as directed below.
- Mint: This is an ideal herb to add to baby food because it helps soothe an upset stomach, improves digestion, can help improve mental awareness and focus, and is rich in nutrients. However, adding mint to this puree is entirely optional.
Heath Benefits of Peas
- A good source of protein
- Contains a high amount of fiber, which helps with digestion
- Contains an array of micronutrients, such as thiamine, folate, manganese, vitamins K and C
- A good source ofantioxidants
Frequently Asked Questions
When can babies eat peas?
development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age. Some of the developmental milestones babies need to reach in order to start solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before you start your baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.
Can you use frozen peas for baby food?
Yes, you can definitely use frozen peas in baby food! For this recipe, I added the frozen peas straight into the steamer basket to cook along with the zucchini. You can also freeze the peas once they are cooked and pureed.
How to Make Pea Baby Puree
- Bring Water To Boil: Bring a saucepan with a little water to a boil.
- Steam Zucchini: Add chopped zucchini (optional) to a steamer basket, cover, and steam for 5 minutes.
- Steam Peas: Add the peas (fresh or frozen) and steam for another 3-5 minutes.
- Let Cool: Let it cool slightly and reserve the steamer water.
- Transfer to Blender: Transfer the cooked peas and zucchini to the blender or food processor.
- Add Mint: Add in the chopped mint or another spice.
- Puree: Puree until smooth or creamy, adding reserved water if needed to thin out the puree.
- Serve or Freeze.
Other Cooking Methods
While I love the fresh flavor of steamed peas with mint, there are several ways you can cook peas for baby food.
BEABA Babycook
Does anything sound better than a homemade baby food puree with a 15-second hands-on prep and cook time? I didn't think so. Let me introduce you to the magic of the BEABA Babycook! With the touch of a button, the Babycook will cook and blend the peas into a smooth and creamy baby food puree! It's like magic. To make, place 2 cups of peas into the stainless steel steamer basket, and place the basket into the glass container, closing the lid. Fill the reservoir tank to a level 3, close and lock the lid. Hit the steam button and let the machine do its magic. Once steamed, transfer the peas into the glass container, leaving the water. Add in a pinch of fresh mint, if using. Close the lid, and hit the blend button for 1 minute or until the puree is smooth.
Full Review: read my full, in-depth and honest review of the BEABA Babycook Neo here! Make sure to grab 15% off your Babycook with code (BabyFoode15)!
Skillet
In a medium skillet, add 2 cups of frozen peas. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. Puree in a blender as directed below.
Boiling
Place 2 cups of peas into a medium saucepan, add enough water to cover the peas, and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Puree in a blender as directed below. Note that boiling will rid the peas of some nutrients as they are leached into the boiling water, so steaming or using a skillet is preferred. If you need liquid to thin out the puree, use some of the leftover water.
Great Pea Combination Purees
While this pea puree is delicious and satisfying by itself, it's also easy to mix and match with other nutrient-dense baby food purees. So give these fun flavor combos a try!
- Apples
- Broccoli
- Bananas
- Pears
- Quinoa Baby Cereal
- Fennel and Peaches
- Green Beans
- Chicken
- Spinach
- Soft Tofu
- Mango
- Yogurt
WeeSprout Silicone Baby Food Freezer Tray
Our favorite freezer storage container for baby food! Made of 100% food-grade silicone and comes with a hard clip-on lid. Large 3oz sections with 2oz markings to make sure you have the right amount for your baby.
Adding Spices
While the most popular option is adding mint to baby food, you can also add a splash of lemon or lime juice, 1/2 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp chopped basil, 1 tsp chopped parsley, or 1/4 tsp fresh ginger.
Tip on Spices: I always add spices or herbs to my baby food purees, but you can choose to leave them out in all of your baby food. You do you! Either way, this puree will surely taste amazing.
How to Store Pea Baby Food
Refridgerator
You can store this puree in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer
This puree can be frozen for up to 4 months.
- Spoon puree into a freezer storage container (this is my favorite freezer storage container). Do not overfill.
- Place the lid on the storage container or cover with a piece of saran wrap, and label with the date and recipe name.
- Place the tray into the freezer and let it freeze completely — preferably overnight.
- Pop-out the baby food cubes and place them in a ziplock baggie or stasher bag. Don't forget to relabel the baggie or stasher bag for future reference.
Need more information on how to store your baby foods? Head over to my Best Baby Food Storage Containers – Plus 6 Tips on Freezing and Thawing post!
Tools Needed
- Medium Saucepan
- Steamer Basket
- Blender or Food Processor
- Freezer Tray
- Storage Containers for Fridge
DID YOU MAKE THIS PEA BABY FOOD PUREE?
I'D LOVE TO KNOW HOW IT TURNED OUT! LEAVE A COMMENT AND A ⭐️ RATING BELOW 👇
- 2 cups peas, fresh or frozen
- 1 medium zucchini, roughly chopped (optional)
- 4 mint leaves, roughly chopped (optional)
-
Steam: In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat. Place the zucchini in a steamer basket, and place over boiling water. Cover and steam for 5 minutes.
-
Add Peas: Add in the peas, and steam for an additional 3-5 minutes. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
-
Blend: Add the zucchini, peas and mint leaves to a blender or food processor and puree for 1 minute or until you have achieved the desired texture. If the puree is too thick, add in 1/4 cup of the reserved steamer water until you have the right consistency.
-
Serve: let cool and serve to your baby or freeze for a later meal.
Age: 4-6 months and up
Yield: 15 ounces
Note on Zucchini: while this is a 2 vegetable starter puree, zucchini allergies are very low, so I added it to this recipe to give the peas a mild taste and smoother texture. You can completely leave them out if you prefer. Just steam the peas as directed.
Additional Spices: instead of the mint, feel free to use a splash of lemon or lime juice, 1/2 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp chopped basil, 1 tsp chopped parsley or 1/4 tsp fresh ginger.
Storage: Fridge – store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezer – can be frozen for up to 4 months.
Serving: 1 ounce , Calories: 15 kcal , Carbohydrates: 2.9 g , Protein: 1.1 g , Fat: 0.1 g , Sodium: 1 mg , Potassium: 57 mg , Fiber: 1 g , Sugar: 1.2 g , Calcium: 5 mg
How to Make Pureed Peas With Rice for Baby
Source: https://babyfoode.com/blog/pea-zucchini-mint/
0 Response to "How to Make Pureed Peas With Rice for Baby"
Post a Comment