Sweet Potato Puree, Combinations and More.
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Sweet Potatoes are such a yummy and diverse vegetables. They are a great consistency for purees as a first food or can be cooked in many other preparations. Sweet Potato contains fiber, vitamin C and potassium. It also contains high amounts of vitamin A (and beta carotenes which are converted by the body to vitamin A) to aid with eye and immune system health.
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 and peel sweet potatoes. Cut into approximately 1 inch pieces. Place into baby food machine or traditional stainless steel steamer basket. Steam for 15 minutes. Blend completely until smooth. It is likely that 1-2 tablespoons of water will need to be added to reach the desired. Fresh breast milk or formula can be added to aid with consistency but keep in mind that breastmilk should not be cooled, rewarmed and cooled again to minimize any bacterial growth.
When initially starting solids and purees, the a thinner is usually easiest for baby to embrace. As baby gets more skilled with solids the additional liquid can be eliminated or blend incompletely to allow for a thicker or chunkier texture.
A note on quantity:
Sweet Potato puree amounts tend to be close to the raw amount prior to preparation. An average sweet potato will make approximately 6 ounces of 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)
Kale (1 ounce), Sweet Potato (2 ounces) and Banana (1/2)
Sweet Potato (1 ounce) and Broccoli (1 ounces), option to add a dash of Nutmeg
Sweet Potato (1 ounce), Chickpeas (1 ounce – pureed or smashed for chunkier puree) and *Quinoa Cereal (1 Tablespoon)
Sweet Potato (1 ounce), Apple (2 ounces), Red Bell Pepper (1 ounce), option to add a dash of Turmeric
Banana (1/2) and Sweet Potato (2 ounces), option to add a dash of Cinnamon
Apricot Puree (1 ounce), Sweet Potato (1 ounce) and Turkey (1 Tablespoon small pieces or pureed) [We are vegetarians, but Poppy had this chunky combination with Thanksgiving dinner]
Other Preparations:
Sweet Potato Fries. These are a great handheld option to start finger foods. Baby is able to grasp them themselves and they are soft once cooked.
Directions: Preheat oven to 400° F, if you have a convection bake option on your oven – go for it (they will cook faster). Wash and peel sweet potato. Carefully cut the sweet potato into approximately 1/2 x 1/4 inch strips that are approximately 2-4 inches in length (obviously this may vary depending on the size and shape of your sweet potato). The most important thing is that they are all approximately the same thickness so that they all cook evenly. Prep a standard baking sheet (this is my favorite baking sheet, similar to the muffin tins I have previously ranted about) with a silicone baking mat (if you don’t own these, you should really consider getting some). Toss the sweet potatoes in olive oil with some salt and pepper to taste. Spread evenly on the sheet in a single later. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes until soft. Use a fork to test the texture and it should be easy to poke into the fries (and they will be slightly browned). For adults, you can cook them longer to add some crunch but that may make them harder for toddler to chew.
Options: For a sweeter flavor (and if baby is > 12 months) add some honey and cinnamon. For spicier fries, add some paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper. One other option is to add onion and garlic powder.
Purple Sweet Potatoes. These are such a great way to mix things up and add great color to the plate! Cook them the same way as above!
Enjoy!
What are your favorite sweet potato recipes?
Let’s talk soon,
Al
*To make homemade Quinoa Cereal, grind dry quinoa in a blender 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. “Sweet Potato 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits.” Healthline, 13 Mar. 2019. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/sweet-potatoes#vitamins-and-minerals. Accessed 04 Aug. 2021.