Broccoli Purees, Combinations and More.
Broccoli is a food that is easy to prepare and is so versatile. Broccoli offers many nutritional benefits including high contents of vitamin C, folate, fiber, iron, potassium and vitamin K1. Fiber aids with digestive health, folate is great for brain development and vitamin K1 assists with blood clotting. It is also high in antioxidants as well as bioactive compounds which are felt to aid with cholesterol and blood sugar control, decrease inflammation throughout the body and minimize the development of chronic disease. Broccoli was initially and continues to be one of Poppy’s favorite veggies.
Here are some posts with more detailed instructions on how to make purees and when and why to choose organic items.
Puree Preparation:
Directions: Wash broccoli. If whole head, cut off florets (larger pieces okay), or take florets from bag and place into baby food machine or traditional stainless steel steamer basket. Steam for 10 minutes. Blend completely until smooth. It is likely that 1-2 tablespoons of water will need to be added to reach the desired consistency.
When initially starting solids and purees, the thinner the texture is usually easier for baby to embrace. As baby gets more skilled with solids, the additional liquid can be eliminated or food blended incompletely to allow for a thicker or chunkier texture.
A note on quantity:
Broccoli puree amounts tend to be close to the raw amount prior to preparation. Keep this and your storage space in mind when selecting the amount to puree.
Favorite Puree Combinations:
Combination purees can be made fresh in large batches or frozen individual elements thawed and then combined. I often choose to thaw individual 1 ounce cubes and combine once thawed. This allowed for more flavor diversity and less waste. (Keep in mind, the purees should be used within 48 hours once completely thawed).
Broccoli (1 ounce), Cauliflower (1 ounce), Apple (1 ounce) and Quinoa Cereal* (1 Tablespoon)
Green apple (2 ounces), Broccoli (1 ounce), Spinach (1 ounce) and Spirulina powder (1/8tsp)
Cauliflower (1 ounce) and Broccoli (1 ounce), option to add dash of Cumin or Thyme
Tofu (1 ounce, pureed silken tofu) and Broccoli (1 ounce), option to add a dash of Cumin or Rosemary (puree or finely chop)
Sweet potato (1 ounce) and Broccoli (1 ounces), option to add a dash of Nutmeg
Broccoli (1 ounce) and Pear (1 ounce)
Other Preparations:
Steamed Broccoli Trees. These are a great handheld option to start finger foods. Baby is able to grasp them themselves and they are soft once steamed.
Directions: Wash broccoli. Cut raw broccoli into small florets that are approximately 0.5-1 inch in size (easy to grasp but not too large). Steam for 7 minutes (in traditional stainless steel steamer basket or baby food maker). Let cool. Ensure that they are steamed sufficiently by testing if they can be crushed/”smushed” between two of your fingers. If still firm, steam 1-2 minutes longer until soft and easily compressed.
The combinations and options are endless! Good luck and enjoy! Really, seriously, enjoy – the process and experimentation. Learn, explore and love (or even dislike) together.
What are your favorite combinations with broccoli?
Let’s talk soon,
Al
*To make homemade Quinoa Cereal, grind dry quinoa in a small blender or food processor until smooth. Combine 1 Tablespoon quinoa powder with 5 Tablespoons water (or larger quantities in a 1:5 ratio) in a small pot. Heat over medium heat stirring regularly for approximately 10 minutes, until thickened.
References:
Bjarnadottir, Adda. “Broccoli 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits.” Healthline, 10 Mar. 2019. www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-broccoli#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8. Accessed 03 Aug. 2021.